Joseph Aloysius Kennedy, Frank Dore, and Russell Smith began Obiter Dicta in January 1928. For over 90 years, we have been Osgoode’s student newspaper, and the oldest law school newspaper in North America. We publish news, opinions and upcoming events of interest to all members of the Osgoode community. We accept submissions for publication from Osgoode Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni.
Editorial Board
Management
EDITOR IN CHIEF - Meredith Wilson- Smith('24)
I’m a 3L student and your friendly neighbourhood editor-in-chief. There’s nothing I love more than words: reading, writing, editing, researching, listening, and chatting away. (As a third-year Obiter staffer, I’m still waiting on those urges to subside – unsuccessfully.) In the meantime, catch me running, hiking, listening to sad-girl music, and/or rewatching the same few 90s cult-classic shows on a loop.
MANAGING EDITOR - Melannie Freza ('24)
I am currently a 3L trying to make the most of 3LOL before re-entering the working world. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my two chihuahuas, Biscuit and Spot. I’ve recently started practicing Muay Thai, while at the same time trying my absolute best to curb my fast food obsession. My passion for reading and writing is what makes me excited about being the Managing Editor of Obiter Dicta this year!
Business/Online
BUSINESS MANAGER - Tom Martin ('24)
Thomas Martin (Business Manager) – Thomas is a 3L who has an interest in corporate and real estate law. When Thomas is not at Osgoode, waiting for the subway, or failing in his attempts to copy a Gordon Ramsay recipe, he tries to escape the city. Preferably, a place with a mountain or two, or a nice looking beach. this past summer, he visited Canada’s smallest province, P.E.I.
DEPUTY BUSINESS MANAGERS - Ahraf Razzak ('25) & Shreya Jadhav ('26)
Ahnaf Razzark (Deputy Business Manager) – Hello Hello! My name is Ahnaf and I am one of the two Business Managers-in-Training for Obiter Dicta. I am currently a 2nd year JD/MBA student with an interest in Corporate Governance law. I am a big fan of mystery and art-house movies, so I am always looking for recommendations (my personal favourite is The Grand Budapest Hotel). Another interest of mine is astronomy. In fact, if I wasn’t studying to be a lawyer, I think would try to become an astronomer.
Shreya Jadhav (Deputy Business Manager) – Hi, my name is Shreya and I’m joining Obiter this year in the Business Manager-in-Training position. I’m excited to learn about the behind the scenes operations of the team! I enjoy writing and have written for the sports law association at Osgoode. In my spare time I enjoy going to farmers markets and painting.
Shreya Jadhav (Deputy Business Manager) – Hi, my name is Shreya and I’m joining Obiter this year in the Business Manager-in-Training position. I’m excited to learn about the behind the scenes operations of the team! I enjoy writing and have written for the sports law association at Osgoode. In my spare time I enjoy going to farmers markets and painting.
ONLINE EDITOR - Maria Mateus ('25)
As an incorrigible procrastinator, I love my work for the Obiter because editing and uploading allows me to spend many an hour reading the creative pieces folks put out. I have a strong passion for keeping things new and fun, because I, myself, am a sucker for clickbait. When I am not editing for the Obiter, you can find me reading all things outside of my law textbooks. If law school has taught me anything it’s that it’s better done in company.
Section Editors
NEWS - Shreya Vohra ('25)
Hi! My name is Shreya (she/her) and I’m a 2L with a background in International Relations and Peace and Conflict studies. When not buried under coursework, I’m often found painting, writing protest poetry, learning a new language, or having discussions about the “political and economic state of the world”. I look forward to reading your hot takes on current affairs for our News section!
OPINION - Stefan Georgiou ('25)
I am a 2L student with a passion for film, reading, and Magic: The Gathering. Aside from my hobbies, you can usually find me hanging out with my dog or on my couch, yelling at the Toronto Blue Jays through my TV.
ARTS & CULTURE - Ashini Peiris ('25)
My name is Ashini Peiris and I have just begun my 2L year at Osgoode. During my undergraduate degree at Western I pursued a Bachelors of Science degree with a specialiZation in Neuroscience. Much of my extracurriculars involved disability rights activism, advocacy and education. In my free time I love to binge TV shows, thrift shop and visit my dog, Rocket.
SPORTS - Victor Tse ('25)
2L. Sports section editor. Toronto sports. VAR is corrupt, Liverpool has my heart. Yahoo projected my fantasy football team to be 1-16. I won Week 1 and sit at 1-3. Masai is washed. Broncos country, let’s ride… off a cliff. Looking forward to reading all the sports submissions this year. On behalf of the sports section, I thank you in advance for your wonderful contributions!
Additional Board Members
DEPUTY NEWS EDITORS- Ride Shah ('25)
Rida is a first-year student in the JD program. She is a proud graduate of York University, where she developed a passion for social justice. Aside from her interest in reading and learning new languages, she is passionate about socio-legal research and advocacy. Through her contributions to Obiter Dicta, Rida aims to raise awareness about social-legal issues affecting society.
DEPUTY OPINIONS EDITOR -
DEPUTY ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR - Lisa Nguyen ('24)
After two years of reading nothing but the poetic waxing of courts, I found Obiter Dicta to be a great opportunity to meet new folks and read something written by the non-judiciary for a change. When I’m not writing articles, you can find me baking treats, binging reality TV, or playing with my cat, Soup.
DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR - Dalraj Gill ('25)
Dalraj Gill is currently a JD/MBA student at Osgoode Hall and a graduate from the University of Toronto’s political science program. Last summer he worked with Dentons LLP in Downtown, Toronto and has also worked in the retail space, federal politics, and as a research assistant during his undergraduate studies. Outside of school Dalraj enjoys being involved in community advocacy and is a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan.
Editorial Staff
Chief Copy Editor
CHIEF COPY EDITOR - Sahar Fatima ('25)
As a self-proclaimed storyteller, my desire to engage in communications lead me to Obiter Dicta in my first year of law school. On the rare occasion where I have free time (shoutout to the weekly 200 pages of assigned readings), you’ll most likely find me at the nearest place that sells a decent iced latte, or rewatching Brooklyn Nine-Nine from the comfort of my home.
CHIEF COPY EDITOR -Omar El Shakawy ('25)
I’m a snob for old-world tastes, a temperament made even more obnoxious by a history degree and an unsatiable hunger for conversation. I spend my time fawning over and arguing about movies and albums that people stopped caring about fifty years ago (thanks for helping the habit, Obiter) in between keeping up to date with literature about events from hundreds of years ago. Find me by looking for a guy whose styling cues are entirely lifted from a Scorsese film’s wardrobe department.
Copy Editors
Kashish Arora
Kaitlin Mak
Sara Raoufi
Megan Blimkie
Lina Zuluaga
Anna-Marie Moschitto
Sheeyin Liu
Emma Clarke
Adrianna Cubellis
Charmaine Ross
Additional Editorial Staff
LAYOUT EDITOR - David Mucz ('26)
I’m a 1L and the layout editor for Obiter Dicta. When I’m not hitting the books or diving into case law you can find me reading non-fiction, planning my next international trip, or exploring the TO food scene. International news & politics podcasts are the only way I stay sane during my TTC commute. Still debating if I can stay up late enough to watch the Calgary Flames.
Staff Writers
Sara Raoufi David Lia
Sakeina Syed
Manpreet Bharj
Rachel D’Ercole
Calvin Lei
Kaviti Bassi
Sophie Sklar
Stephane Martin Demers
Others to be announced on a rolling basis, upon meeting submission criteria (three published pieces per term).
Columnists
TBD