Articling Students

Nathaniel Balakumaran received his LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School and his LLB First Class Honours degree from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.

During his LLM he studied a wide range of specialized areas including advanced corporate law, intellectual property transactions, international commercial arbitration, and international trade law. In addition, through Osgoode’s Pro Bono Chapter, Nathaniel volunteered at a national not-for-profit organization. His work consisted of recruiting and persuading practicing lawyers to join the organization’s services, in order to help provide equitable opportunities that promote economic inclusion to legal services.

While completing his LLB studies, Nathaniel was appointed by the law school as a Student Support Officer. During his tenure in this position he presented research on learning and teaching innovation, which led to the establishment of the learning community working group report 2018, that resulted in major improvements in academic delivery and student-professor engagement. In addition, he led a team in organizing student events such as the Festival of Diversity, aimed at increasing student engagement and reinforcing a diverse learning community. For his work, he was awarded the Flare Ignite Award for demonstrating excellent enterprising and entrepreneurial qualities. Nathaniel was also honored with the prestigious Judge’s Prize award for achieving exceptionally in academics, extra-curriculars and enhancing the fellow student experience.

Nathaniel completed his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from St. Lawrence University in New York, USA. Nathaniel conducted and presented various complex projects including a research proposal on the enzyme β-Glucocerebrosidase and its substantial link to Gaucher’s disease. Nathaniel was able to continue his passion for competitive soccer from playing for his hometown Toronto F.C. Academy and carrying that to the next level as a member of the St. Lawrence University NCAA varsity men’s soccer team. He was a major contributor to a multiple championship and top-20 nationally ranked team. He was also honored by his teammates with the Robby Van Etten Ultimate Teammate award for outstanding leadership and contribution to team dynamics, cohesion and chemistry.

Allie Cuperfain received her Juris Doctor (cum laude) from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law – Common Law in 2020. While at law school, Allie took a broad range of courses, with a focus on health law, family law and litigation.

During law school, Allie worked as a research assistant on projects that focused on organ donations, surrogacy law and fertility clinic regulations. She also assisted with researching and editing the third edition of Families and the Law: Cases and Commentary by Mary Jane Mossman et al. For her major law school paper, Allie explored issues of parentage in surrogacy law, comparing Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Israel and Talmudic legal interpretations of the topic. Additionally, Allie received a Technoship – a research position in the area of consumer protection for cellphone users. Allie also worked as a writing leader in the Faculty’s Legal Writing Academy during her second and third years of study. Given her interests in health law and regulatory issues, Allie did an internship at The Ottawa Hospital in the General Counsel’s Office. She also worked in the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), General Counsel’s Office in the summer before her third year of law school.

In addition to her law degree, Allie received an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto with High Distinction and a Master of Professional Communication from Ryerson University. Allie was awarded a number of scholarships and awards while pursuing both of these degrees. Her Master’s research examined identity construction and its impact on stakeholder communications. Prior to attending law school, Allie worked in the field of communications for small businesses, not for profits and the OSC. At the OSC, Allie led and collaborated on various internal communications and external stakeholder outreach initiatives.