Burnaby Student Wins the Barry Sullivan Law Cup

  • April 07, 2016

VANCOUVER, BC – Gabrielle Fajardo from St. Thomas More Collegiate won first place at the Law Week 2016 speech contest.

The Barry Sullivan Law Cup is one of the cornerstone events of Law Week in BC. The Law Cup is named in the memory of Barry Sullivan whose contributions to both the legal and educational professions are honoured each year through the presentation of this Cup to the provincial winner.  This year marks the 33rd year that British Columbia students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 are invited to compete in the annual public speaking competition, sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC).  

Held in the heritage courtrooms at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Wednesday, April 6, a total of 30 students from Vancouver, Victoria and Trail participated in this exciting contest, using the theme:  The Law in Cyberspace: The Right to Be Forgotten vs. The Public’s Right to Know - Where should the line be drawn?

The 2016 winner was awarded a trophy along with a $1,500 cash prize.  The 1st runner up, Umaimah Zanif of Johnston Heights Secondary School took home a trophy along with a $250 cash prize, and the 2nd runner up, Panthea Pourmalek from Burnaby Mountain Secondary School received a trophy

The finalists were judged by Supreme Court Justice Elliott Myers, CBABC President Jennifer Chow, and CBC reporter Jason Proctor.

President Jennifer Chow commented, “The Barry Sullivan Law Cup participants continue to impress the judges every year. The 2016 competition drew thought-provoking presentations and raised the bar higher yet again. Our future is in good hands when we have young people of this calibre leading the way.”

Law Week 2016 is celebrated across Canada with events ranging from mock trials and courthouse tours, to free law classes and Dial-A-Lawyer Day – free phone access to lawyers on Saturday April 16, from anywhere in the province.

BC Law Week 2016 partners are the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, the Law Foundation of BC, the Law Society of BC, the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, and the Vancouver Bar Association.

Photos available on request and online at bclawweek.org