Faculty of Law silver medallist excelled at law school while maintaining two successful careers

When Mark Stevens, ‘23 JD, started law school at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, he was already adept at balancing competing priorities.

Not only was he a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and the managing partner of Stevens & Company LLP, the professional accounting firm he founded in 2017, but he was also the owner and operator of Sturgeon County Kennels Ltd., which provides boarding services and pet supplies.

Adding law school to these commitments may have proven overwhelming for some. But Stevens didn’t just survive his three years of law school – he thrived, achieving the second-highest grade point average in the Faculty of Law graduating class. As a result, he is the 2023 recipient of the George Bligh O'Connor Silver Medal in Law.

“Law school was an intense, enriching and transformative journey,” he says. “It was a period of growth and learning that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I had many sleepless nights trying to figure out the best way forward, and I learned to deal with circumstances as they unfold, handling each day and each challenge with patience and tenacity.”

Stevens explains that approaching law school with the perspective afforded to him from his established career was invaluable, helping him view law through a business-oriented lens.

“I came into law school pretty much knowing that I wanted to go into tax law,” he says. “It was a natural progression with my CPA designation and a way to bridge my past experience with my legal education.”

Stevens also merged his skills in business and law to serve as treasurer for the Alberta Law Review. During their one-year term, the executive team undertook a substantial overhaul of some of the organization’s business fundamentals.

“Our team managed to fully assess the situation, consult with many of our various advisors and come to a practical business solution that will hopefully give the ALR the resources it needs to continue thriving in the future,” he says.

He also took part in the mooting program, participating in the Bowman National Tax Moot in 2022 and the Davies Canadian Corporate/Securities Law Moot in 2023.

Of course, earning a law degree during the COVID-19 pandemic presented additional challenges to the Class of 2023 as they adapted to online learning. For Stevens in particular, as a business owner, he says the pandemic was the most significant challenge he faced as he dealt with complexities for both his businesses and his clients while also grappling with new legal concepts for his studies.

Fortunately these difficulties were balanced out with many highlights. During his time in the Faculty of Law, Stevens encountered two professors who stand out as influential parts of his academic journey. He credits Professor Chris Sprysak with providing invaluable guidance and mentorship, as well as generously sharing his time  and insights while Stevens wrote an independent research paper under his supervision.

He also credits Professor Peter Sankoff with leaving a lasting impression on him through the Animals and the Law course. “My connection with animals at Sturgeon County Kennels meant his course had a particularly strong resonance for me and moved me to find even more ways to help animals in my business,” he says.

Stevens is also grateful to have formed strong friendships that helped sustain him through the ups and downs of the last three years.

“I met an amazing group of people that I’m incredibly lucky to call my friends,” he says. “They’re each a big reason why I was even able to finish law school.”

Stevens now has his sights set on a future where he can use his legal expertise and business acumen to help clients solve difficult problems. His next step is to complete his articles at the boutique tax firm Felesky Flynn LLP.

But before he moves forward, Stevens is taking a moment to appreciate how far he’s already traveled.

“The George Bligh O'Connor Silver Medal in Law is a significant achievement that I am incredibly proud of,” he says. “Additionally, seeing Stevens & Company LLP thrive and Sturgeon County Kennels Ltd expand in leaps and bounds after making it through those tough times are accomplishments that I hold dear.”