Our student programs are flexible and allow you to gain exposure to a wide range of practice areas while exploring your own interests. We encourage students to reach out to lawyers in practice areas they would like to learn more about or with whom they are interested in working. You will receive interesting and practical hands-on experience in our diverse practice areas:
Litigation & Advocacy: You will be exposed to commercial litigation, insurance litigation, administrative law, insolvency, environmental, employment & labour, family, wills & estates, immigration and aboriginal law.
Real Estate & Business Law: You will be exposed to a mix of corporate and commercial law, taxation and real estate.
We believe that our students should be involved in all facets of our practice. Our students are continuously challenged and will become involved in matters of increasing complexity and responsibility as their abilities develop. Examples of assignments given to students include:
- Handle your own small claims court files with supervision
- Draft correspondence, pleadings, motion records, facta and research memos
- Attend discoveries, mediations, pre-trials and hearings before courts and tribunals with our experienced lawyers
- Assist with both corporate and real estate closings
- Draft corporate contracts as well as director and shareholder resolutions
We treat summer and articling students similarly in terms of assignments and level of responsibility, except for the restrictions on rights of appearance before courts imposed by the Law Society.
Summer Student Program: We try to match you with a lawyer in your chosen practice area in either our corporate/real estate or litigation practice areas as we feel the summer is too short for a formal rotation system. That said, we are flexible and allow you to seek out work in any and all areas of interest during your summer experience.
Articling Student Program: We maintain a flexible individually-tailored rotation system in our two primary practice areas: litigation and business law.
Blaney McMurtry LLP is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.
Meet our 2025-2026 Articling Students
Hamdi Abdo:
416-593-1221 Ext. 2602
habdo@blaney.com
Hamdi graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School. He also holds a Master of Biomedical Science & Commercialization and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) degree from McMaster University.
At law school, Hamdi was deeply committed to legal scholarship and academic excellence. He was an editor of the reputable Osgoode Hall Law Journal and presented his work at several research symposia across the country. From mooting to negotiation competitions, Hamdi has always remained steadfast in his commitment to advocacy. At both the Parkdale Legal Clinic and the Community Legal Clinic of York Region, Hamdi has successfully represented clients at the Social Benefits Tribunal of Ontario.
Outside of work, Hamdi enjoys volunteering in the community. He was the Vice President of Osgoode’s Black Law Student Association, an Osgoode Student Ambassador and a Mentor with the Merit Award Program. He is an avid Raptors fan and enjoys exploring the walking trails in Toronto.
Olwen Alaminos:
416 593 1221 X 2603
oalaminos@blaney.com
Olwen graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with High Distinction) degree from the University of Toronto, where she double majored in Art History and Ethics, Society and the Law (ES&L) and minored in Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Olwen worked part-time as a legal administrative assistant at an immigration/refugee law firm, while also volunteering as an ES&L program and course mentor within Trinity College.
During her time at U of T Law, Olwen pursued her artistic interests by volunteering for the Artists’ Legal Advice Services clinic, which provides pro bono legal advice to creatives. She participated in multiple competitive mock trials and a moot, and enjoyed writing and performing skits for the annual Law Follies comedy show. Olwen was heavily involved in U of T Law’s Canadian Hispanic Bar Association chapter, serving as president in her final year. In this role she advocated for Latin advancement in the legal profession by organizing CHBA career symposiums and speaking on panels. In 3L, Olwen was also a student representative on U of T’s J.D. Admissions Committee.
Olwen makes frequent court appearances (tennis and pickleball) and enjoys creative pursuits including drawing, painting and playing the piano. When not pouring over case law, Olwen is an avid reader of crime fiction. She has read all the Sherlock Holmes stories, almost every book by Agatha Christie and is currently tackling the English-translated works of Seishi Yokomizo.
Laura Oliveira:
416 593 1221 X 2604
loliveira@blaney.com
Laura Oliveira earned her J.D. from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy from the University of McMaster, graduating with high distinction.
At Windsor Law, she served as a Student Ambassador, providing guidance to prospective students, promoting the program’s academic strengths and assisting with the admissions process. She gained hands-on legal experience as a Student Caseworker with the Community Legal Aid Clinic and the PBSC Youth ID Clinic, delivering essential legal services to low-income individuals. Her commitment to community engagement is reflected in her volunteer work with organizations such as Start2Finish and Reading Rocks, where she supported and mentored children facing barriers to education.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Laura enjoys reading fantasy novels, Pilates and evenings spent with her sisters whether they’re travelling, marathoning films or debating the latest reality TV drama.
Brannan Riley:
416 593 1221 X 2605
briley@blaney.com
Brannan was awarded his J.D. from Dalhousie University where he received his specialization certificate in Health Law and Policy. Prior to his time at law school, he was a Dean’s List scholar in both his Master’s degree in Law and Legal Studies from Carleton University and Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Queen’s University.
Passionate about community and volunteering, Brannan was a member of the Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service where he prepared students who had been accused of academic integrity offences for hearings and formal appeals. Additionally, he founded the Schulich Law Chess Society and the Schulich Law Billiards Society to bring students together around common interests. During his undergraduate program, he studied East-Asian politics for a semester abroad at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.
In his free time, Brannan stays active by golfing, rock climbing and playing basketball. He is a competitive chess player having represented all three of his affiliated universities at the national stage.
Konstantinos Tsatsos:
416 593 1221 X 2606
ktsatsos@blaney.com
Konstantinos obtained his J.D. from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. Prior to law school, he attended the University of Toronto where he received an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations with High Distinction.
During his time at Windsor Law, Konstantinos was involved in various communities. Notably, he served as President of the Windsor Hellenic Law Students Association after previously acting as Vice-President. He was also Windsor Law’s student representative for the Hellenic Canadian Lawyers’ Association. In his second year, Konstantinos received the Insolvency Institute of Canada Prize in Insolvency Studies for achieving the highest grade in Windsor Law’s Insolvency and Restructuring course.
In his spare time, Konstantinos enjoys spending time with friends, as well as visiting family in Greece during the summer. He also finds pleasure in his gym sessions and playing various sports, including hockey and soccer. Konstantinos passionately supports his favourite soccer team, Olympiakos, and the sports teams of his hometown, Toronto.
Luka Vujic:
416 593 1221 X 2607
lvujic@blaney.com
Luka graduated from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. During his time at Windsor Law, he was an avid mooter and assisted in coaching the Bowman Moot in his third year. In his final year, Luka served as a Teaching Assistant for Income Taxation. Prior to law school, Luka completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, where he obtained an Honours Bachelor of Social Science degree. Before joining Blaney McMurtry LLP, Luka worked in government as a member of the Prime Minister's Office, focusing on public appointments and due diligence.
Prior to that, he served as Press Secretary to a Cabinet Minister. In his free time, Luka enjoys running, reading, playing the piano and spending time with friends. He is also a Board Member of Serbian Professionals in Law. Luka loves to travel; one of his more recent trips was a post-graduation trip to Europe with friends.
Please note that Blaney McMurtry LLP will be participating in this year’s 2L OCI and Interview Week recruitment process. We are planning to hire up to 6 second year summer students.
Candidates must submit a full application through viLawPortal in addition to selecting us for OCIs on your school portal. We will not accept applications submitted via email or regular mail.
Summer student applications should be addressed to Neil Dennis, Director of Professional Development, and should include the following:
- Cover Letter - PLEASE CLEARLY INDICATE in your cover letter what practice area(s) (if any) you are most interested in
- Resume
- Copies of official undergraduate and law school transcripts
- Reference letters are welcome but not required
We thank all candidates for their response but only those to be considered for an interview will be contacted.
If students would like to learn more about our summer student program, they are welcome to contact our current summer students.