John obtained his JD from the University of Western Ontario in 2018, where he was a member of the Dean’s Honour List and received the David L. Johnston Prize in Securities Regulation. Prior to law school, John received a BA from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he graduated as the Gold Medalist for the faculty of Human & Social Sciences.
Outside of work, John enjoys trail running and “competing” in races throughout British Columbia. In addition to John’s love of sports, he enjoys going to concerts and exploring Vancouver’s microbreweries.
Why did you decide to get involved with the Clinic?
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to benefit from the guidance and support of several exceptional mentors. I was encouraged to join the Business Law Clinic by adjunct professors Becky Rock and Tyson Gratton and saw it as a great chance to pay it forward and help mentor law students on how to translate their substantive legal knowledge into practical legal advice.
In addition to providing students with a meaningful learning experience, the Business Law Clinic also provides an important service to the greater Vancouver business community, and to many small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford legal advice. Through giving back to the community and expanding access to legal services, I look forward to continuing to contribute to the Business Law Clinic and to help promote all the great work and services that it provides.
What is your favourite part of your job?
One of my favourite parts about working at McMillan is that I have the opportunity to work with many innovative clients across a wide variety of industries. At any given time, I could be working with different clients in the technology, software, clean energy, sustainability, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or natural resource sectors, among many others. These clients are often developing exciting, new products and business models in their respective industries. I really appreciate having the opportunity to be at the forefront of these developments and to help clients navigate the unique legal challenges that arise.
Another great part about working at McMillan is that I have the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest people and best mentors in the legal profession. I certainly would not be half the lawyer that I am today without the help and guidance of countless McMillan partners and staff over the years, particularly those in our Capital Markets and M&A Group. McMillan also has a welcoming work environment and is supportive of important public service initiatives like the Business Law Clinic, which is a great culture to be a part of.
What do you enjoy about working with startups/emerging companies?
A great aspect about working with clients in the startup ecosystem, is experiencing the energy and excitement that they bring to their work. The constant flow of new ideas and drive for success creates a positive, motivating environment that I like being a part of each day. I’m also a huge fan of underdog stories, and in some ways every startup begins as a bit of an underdog. As a result, startups tend to have a strong growth mentality, which helps keep things fresh and interesting.
Working with startups also provides me with the opportunity to have early access and learn about the new businesses and products that these companies are developing before they become “mainstream”. Like most people, I find that as I get older it gets harder to know what’s “in” or “cool” at any given time, and I am fortunate to be able to learn and stay ahead of these trends through the work that we do for clients in the space.
What piece of advice do you wish to give to those considering the Business Law Clinic?
To any students considering the Business Law Clinic, I would strongly encourage you to apply. I don’t think that there is another class or extracurricular activity in law school that more closely resembles the actual day-to-day practice of business law. It is a great opportunity to develop your practical legal skills under the supervision and mentorship of experienced business lawyers. You will get a chance to work on real files for real businesses that face real legal issues. The Business Law Clinic will undoubtedly benefit any student looking to develop the skills necessary to practice in business law or any related area. Most importantly, the Business Law Clinic will give you a chance to put your substantive legal knowledge to use for the benefit of the public, further expanding access to legal services for those in need. Overall, it is a very unique and worthwhile experience that I would encourage everyone to try to be a part of!
Last Updated: June 2024
