Burning the midnight oil leads law student to shine bright

Receiving the 2023 Horace Harvey Medal in Law was no stroke of luck for Trevor Sullivan, ‘23 JD; it was the culmination of regular attendance in class, late nights creating detailed notes and weekends dedicated to assigned readings

That unrelenting work ethic has earned him the most prestigious accolade for a graduating JD student, informally known as the gold medal. It recognizes the graduating student who has received the highest grade point average over their three years in the JD program.

“Receiving the gold medal means everything,” says Sullivan. “It recognizes the countless hours I put into my studies over the last three years and affirms the value of my dedication and hard work.”

Those long hours — poring over casebooks, consulting secondary sources, writing detailed notes and taking advantage of practice questions — came with trade-offs.

“The time I dedicated to my studies meant sacrificing a lot of time that I might otherwise spend with my friends and family,” says Sullivan.

The support of the people around him made that work a little easier.

“This award is as much a reflection of the unwavering support of my loved ones as it is of my own efforts,” says Sullivan.

During his time in law school, Sullivan served on the editorial committee of the Alberta Law Review, gaining valuable experience in legal citation and editing. There, he found a community of hard-working and passionate law students.

The friendships he formed in law school have also contributed to his success.

“The willingness of students to support one another and the sense of camaraderie we developed as a result were definitely highlights of my law school experience,” says Sullivan. “By my third year, for each course I took, I had friends who were either currently or previously enrolled, and on whom I could rely for advice, notes, and study materials if needed.”

As for his coursework, Sullivan was determined to get the most out of the curriculum, taking a wide array of classes.

“Getting a strong theoretical foundation in a wide variety of areas was definitely a highlight for me,” says Sullivan. “It helped me identify my personal interests and passions, and will make me more adept at handling various legal challenges.”

In the classroom, Sullivan was thankful for Professors Roderick Wood, Anna Lund, Steven Penney, and Dean Barbara Billingsley who made an impact on his time in law school.

“These professors were experienced, knowledgeable, respectful, and passionate about their fields of study. They communicated effectively, provided constructive feedback, and encouraged participation and critical thinking.”

There is widespread consensus that Sullivan has a promising future ahead. He was voted ‘Most Likely to Become Dean of the Faculty of Law’ at the Carbolic Smoke Ball and ‘Most Likely to be Cited by the Supreme Court of Canada’ at the 2023 graduation banquet.

“I’m almost as proud of those awards as I am of the gold medal!”

Sullivan will be clerking at the Court of Appeal of Alberta in Calgary where he’s looking forward to applying what he’s learned in law school while receiving the mentorship and guidance of experienced judges. He will be completing his articles at Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP in Edmonton.