Relationships, work ethic and perspective prove critical for bronze medal winner in law

Lauren Bannon - 04 August 2022

After earning her undergraduate degree, Elisa Carbonaro, ʼ17 BA(Hons), ’22 JD, the 2022 recipient of the Judges’ Bronze Medal — awarded annually to the convocating student who stands third throughout their studies in the JD program — decided to focus on work and travel. This time would prove to be life-altering, as it was during this period that she first became interested in pursuing law.

“While I was working at a nonprofit — specifically in victim advocacy — I began to realize how complex the justice system was, and I struggled seeing the overrepresentation of marginalized groups,” she said. “But I felt illiterate in the law, so I decided to pursue law school in order to better understand and improve the system around me.”

When reflecting on her time in the program, Carbonaro attributes much of her success to her peers, who pushed her to challenge her thinking.

“Throughout my degree, I studied with my peers. I cannot overstate the value my law school friends had on my success,” she said. “The benefit of studying with your brilliant peers is that it pushes you to articulate a concept or argument, and in turn, this requires you to confront what areas you do not truly understand or a weakness in your argument.”

She also attributed her success to the energy exhibited by her professors.

“Passionate teaching from faculty members transformed my own passions within law. I gravitated towards that enthusiasm and no matter the topic, I too became interested,” she said.

“Taking classes from professors Penney, Percy, and Lavoie were highlights for me. These professors were also great mentors and encouraged me to pursue different opportunities, for which I am forever grateful.”

Carbonaro is currently clerking at the Alberta Court of Appeal and will complete her articles with Field Law in Edmonton.