Law with a classical twist

Ben Frenken came to the Schulich School of Law with a classical disposition: two degrees in Classics at Dal/King’s and a master’s thesis on Homer’s Odyssey.

One language that Homer had yet to be translated into: the Weldon tradition.

Together with his classmates, Mr. Frenken started the Weldon Literary Moot Society, which hosts a mock trial each year based on a famous work of fiction. The event raises money for Halifax Humanities 101, a local charity that offers free humanities classes to the community. Their first performance was Homer’s Odyssey; this year, they presented Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

“It immediately made a lot of sense: law students, a great piece of literature, in a fundraiser for a great cause,” says Mr. Frenken, originally from Ottawa. “It’s rewarding to see how successful it was, and to know that others will take it on after we’re gone.”

Throughout his law degree, he embodied the Weldon spirit of giving back. He helped review applications and job opportunities with the school’s Admissions Committee and Career Development Office. Through Pro Bono Students of Canada, he worked with Dal alumna Emma Halpern at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society on campaigns to increase access to justice and advocate against sexual assault myths. He worked as a research assistant on the Nova Scotia Cyberbullying Task Force.

“Those sorts of experiences really opened my eyes to the impact the law can have in some pretty different areas. It’s good to know that you can take your law degree in so many directions.”

Next, Mr. Frenken will article with Norton Rose Canada in Toronto.