Last Friday, Hicks Morley hosted a moot at Osgoode — just like last year. I competed with Jeff Adams — just like last year. We made it to the final round in the Moot Court room, and Hicks treated Osgoode students to dinner at Osteria Da Geppetto (Sud Forno) — just like last year. But last Friday, there was a striking difference: John Kloosterman was not there.
Because of the similarities, I paid attention to the difference. John Kloosterman was one of the Hicks Morley partners who judged our final round of the moot last year. He was not there this year because he died last May on a motorcycle in California, while visiting family.
The news was shocking. Two months before, Jeff and I had dinner with John. After the dinner, we heard from other lawyers at Hicks Morley that John enjoyed meeting us, and that he wanted to coach us for the Provincial Finals of the moot. The coaching was invaluable, and I approached the final entirely differently because of him.
Over the last three years, I feel mentors have played a more important role than professors. Because lawyers volunteered their time, I grew as a mooter, navigated the 2L recruit, and began to find a home at McMillan. Those are skills and qualities you can’t test with a 100% exam. I only knew John for a few months, but I considered him to be one of those mentors.
Reflecting on a loss reminds me to be thankful for what I have, and this year, the Hicks Morley Moot was quite a reminder. I signed up again this year because it was a challenge; it was exciting, and I find mooting fun. On reflection, my experience was quite a privilege.
At dinner last year, John heard that the day after the Hicks Morley Moot, I was competing in another moot. His reaction on the way out of Sud Forno last year would probably be no different this year: “You have some definition of fun.”