Emily Young

Emily's journey through the legal landscape is marked by a diverse and impactful career, covering civil, commercial, regulatory, and constitutional issues. Her expertise has led her to advocate at every judicial level in Ontario, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Notably, Emily's role as Commission Counsel for the 2022 Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry underscores her adeptness in handling public scrutiny and complex legal challenges.

Her legal roots were planted at Polley Faith, where she initially joined as a summer student, eventually returning to complete her articles after an enriching clerkship experience at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Under the mentorship of esteemed justices such as J. Michal Fairburn, Kathryn Feldman, and Benjamin Zarnett, Emily honed her legal skills, which she further sharpened serving as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Andromache Karakatsanis.

Emily's academic achievements are no less impressive, with an Honours Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, where she distinguished herself annually. Her undergraduate years at Queen’s University were similarly laudable, culminating in a gold medal in Philosophy.

Her time in law school was characterized by active involvement in legal advocacy and research, notably with Advocates for Injured Workers and the Industrial Accident Victims Group of Ontario. Emily's editorial skills were put to good use at the Journal of Law and Equality, and her passion for justice and equality was evident in her co-chairing of the Feminist Law Students’ Association. Not content with only local engagements, Emily expanded her legal perspectives through a semester at the University of Amsterdam.

Emily's pre-law school experiences enriched her understanding of the world, with a significant stint at the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, where she guided visitors through Canada's D-Day landing sites. Her fluency in French no doubt enhanced these historical tours, bridging language barriers and deepening the visitors' experiences.

Since being called to the Bar of Ontario in 2019, Emily has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the legal profession, volunteering with the Pro Bono Ontario Hotline and affiliating with key legal associations, including the Ontario Bar Association and The Advocates’ Society. Her legal acumen is evidenced by a litany of recognitions, including distinctions in Administrative Law and Labour Arbitration moots, reflecting her prowess in both the theoretical and practical realms of law.