Jacob Graff, JD & LLL ’25, will clerk for the Honourable Mary Moreau, while Andrew Clark-Alfaro, JD ’24, will clerk for the Honourable Suzanne Côté.
“Clerkships at the Supreme Court of Canada are transformative experiences, and we are so excited for Jacob and Andrew. The Faculty of Law is proud of the deep and enduring ties it has with the Supreme Court of Canada,” says Kristen Boon, the Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean of the Common Law Section.
Jacob Graff, JD & LLL ’25
Jacob Graff’s path to the Supreme Court reflects both academic excellence and a deep engagement with Canada’s legal traditions.
A graduate of the Programme de droit canadien, he completed his JD magna cum laude, earning multiple awards for academic achievement, including the Honourable Vincent Drouin Prize in Common Law.
He is currently pursuing a Master of Laws at uOttawa and clerking at the Federal Court of Appeal for the Honourable George R. Locke. During his JD and LLL studies, Graff worked as a research assistant for Professor Yan Campagnolo, as well as Editor-in-Chief (French Articles) of the Ottawa Law Review. His experience spans constitutional, administrative, and comparative private law.
“Clerking with Justice Locke at the Federal Court of Appeal has been an immense privilege, and I am very excited to continue this work with Justice Moreau at the Supreme Court of Canada,” Graff says. “To me, both clerkships represent an opportunity to learn from world-class jurists while contributing, in a small way, to the development of Canadian law at its highest levels.”
Reflecting on his time at uOttawa, Graff credits the Faculty’s bilingual and bijural environment for shaping his legal approach.
“The Programme de droit canadien allowed me to join a community deeply engaged in Canada’s two legal traditions,” he notes, emphasizing the impact of mentorship, rigorous scholarship, and a culture of intellectual generosity.
He advises students who are considering clerkships to “remain open-minded and persistent… focus on developing strong research and writing skills, seek feedback often, and pursue activities that genuinely interest you.”
Andrew Clark-Alfaro, JD ’24
Andrew Clark-Alfaro will clerk for the Honourable Suzanne Côté.
A graduate of the combined JD-BCom program, he completed his degree summa cum laude and was deeply involved in both academic and extracurricular life at the Faculty.
During law school, Clark-Alfaro served as a Teaching Assistant, contributed to the Ottawa Law Review as a Senior Editor and Human Resources Manager, and represented the Faculty in the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Law Moot. He also gained practical experience through placements at Community Legal Services of Ottawa, the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Commission, and McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
He is currently clerking at the Federal Court of Appeal for the Honourable Sylvie E. Roussel, where he continues to build on his interests in administrative and constitutional law.
Of his future role he says: “It’s an incredible honour to [have this opportunity to] clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada in Justice Côté’s chambers. It still feels a bit surreal. I could not be more excited for this unparalleled learning opportunity and to assist the Court in its work.”
Clark-Alfaro emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community in his journey, expressing gratitude to professors, colleagues, and mentors who supported him along the way.
He encourages current students to embrace uncertainty and growth. “Never count yourself out… seek out experiences that seem interesting and exciting, even if they fall outside your comfort zone, and treat every setback as an opportunity to learn.”
A shared commitment to excellence
Both Graff and Clark-Alfaro exemplify the strength of uOttawa’s legal community—combining academic rigour, practical experience, and a commitment to public service.
“Our students benefit from a uniquely rich legal ecosystem here in Ottawa” adds Dean Boon. “At our Faculty, students engage deeply with the law, learn to think critically and wrestle with complex questions, and they are encouraged to pursue opportunities that will shape the future of the profession.”
Last June, the Faculty held a reception for the more than 100 alum and faculty who have clerked at the top court. It also hosts a special reception for each new member of the Court.
The Common Law Section congratulates Jacob Graff and Andrew Clark-Alfaro on this remarkable achievement and wishes them continued success as they embark on this next chapter.