The LSA Team comprises a group of dedicated students who are committed to representing your needs and enhancing your experience at UofA law. We work collaboratively for students, coordinate intramurals, organize social events, and even maintain a database of class notes, commonly known as “CANs”
MEET THE TEAM
Scroll down to meet us and learn more about the roles.
PRESIDENT
Olive Bensler
Hi folks! My name is Olive (she/they), and I have the absolute pleasure of serving as your LSA President this year. I work alongside a passionate and talented group of individuals on the LSA executive team.
I was born in Calgary, AB, but moved to South America at age 6 and then to the United States. I eventually returned to Calgary to finish my primary education and completed my undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary leadership (I know, a weird one!) at the University of New Brunswick. When I am not busy explaining what my undergrad means, I can usually be found bouldering (AKA rock climbing for those who may not be familiar), doodling, or petting someone’s dog.
My favourite place on campus is Hello My Friend Cafe where I can usually be found sitting with terrible posture. I am always interruptible when working there so please never hesitate to come up and say hello!
VP GOVERNANCE
Stephen Raitz
Howdy! I'm Stephen Raitz (he/him) and I am your VP Governance for 2023-2024.
I'm here to support the executive in advocacy matters, policy renewal, and aligning operations with requirements! I am from Leduc, AB which is very important to my identity. Prior to Law School, I worked in urban planning on land development and municipal policy projects. When not in the Law Library, you can find me yelling at Edmonton City Council, making Tik Toks, or going for a nice long run. I am one of the many tall, skinny, white guys who is also an improviser. You can find me improvising with Rapid Fire Theatre in Edmonton!
My mantra is feel good, look good, do good.
VP COMMUNICATIONS
Joshua Kim
Hey y’all! My name is Joshua Kim (He/Him), and I am your VP Communications. I run and manage this website, which has nothing to do with how high I am on this list... I also send out those Weekly Blast emails to keep you in the loop with all the cool shindigs happening at the law school!
I was born in South Korea but I was raised in Edmonton my whole life. In the summer you can find me 8 beers deep on the golf course. In the winter you can find me 8 beers deep on the slopes.
My areas of expertise include: Taking a nap right after chugging a coffee, Coming last place in March Madness every year (The Sports Law Association’s bracket last year was no exception), Applying too much hair gel, and tripping on the ramps in the McLennan Ross hall.
My door is always open. If you have any questions, don’t be a stranger! Feel free to reach out.
VP FINANCE
Hamza Mandour
Hi everyone! My name is Hamza Mandour (He/Him), and I am your VP Finance for this year!
I work very closely with every other position on this team to basically make sure that we use your money in the best way possible for everyone! This includes funding for events, creating grants for student groups, and pretty much supporting any student-run initiative around the faculty!
A little about me, I love anything and everything with four wheels and an engine. If you don’t see me in the law centre, I’m probably in bed, at the gym, or going to find a snack to go with my coffee – unless it’s rugby season, then you should definitely come join the fun. This is absolutely a plug for the rugby teams. Also, if anyone wants to start up a Formula 1 fantasy league, let me know. I can’t say I won’t judge your picks though.
The door is always open, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions – doesn’t just have to be about the LSA budget, could be anything really, I get bored a lot so I will talk about anything.
VP COMMUNITY
Shina Malhi
Hey there! I'm Shina, your friendly neighbourhood Vice President of Community. I know you probably read my name as Sheena, but it's actually pronounced Shine-ah.
Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to portray Steve from the "Hello, My Friend Cafe" in the law show, and it remains one of my greatest honours. For anyone who's new to the law school, Steve is kind of a big deal and is the backbone of the school. As a former chemistry major, I'm tempted to make a chemistry joke here, but unfortunately, all the good puns Argon. As you can probably tell by now, I like to keep things on a lighter note and enjoy making lots of jokes and puns .
Jokes aside, I'm deeply passionate about making our law school a place where everyone feels accepted and valued. I love connecting with people and have a genuine desire to help out. I'm here to support you in all things school-related and to do what I can to create a better space for you. Don't hesitate to reach out or catch me in the halls!
VP ACADEMIC
Rider Kahl
Hey y’all! My name is Rider (he/him) and I have the pleasure of being your VP Academic this year!
It’s my job to compile the CANs that get us through the wild ride that is law school and organize PASS sessions.
I was born and raised in Calgary but did a stint in London, Ontario for undergrad (go Mustangs) before coming to Edmonton for law. I love post secondary so much that I am going into my 9th (and definitely final) year this year. When I am not pretending to study in the library you can find me somewhere on Whyte, likely with a shopping bag in my hands. I am also the creative director for the annual Law Show where I take my leadership style from Abby Lee Miller and Sue Sylvester.
I am looking forward to a great year with the LSA, please reach out if you have any questions!
VP EDI
Chris Boodram
Hi! I’m Chris Boodram (he/him), and I’m honoured to serve as the LSA’s VP Equity, Diversity and Inclusion! I work with and advocate for equity-deserving student groups and law students to identify and resolve EDI issues and make the Faculty of Law a safer and more inclusive space. If you’re experiencing an EDI challenge or are concerned about an issue in our law school community related to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other form of marginalization or oppression, please reach out to me directly, or use the anonymous reporting form here.
A bit about me: I did Poli Sci and Global Development in my undergrad, did a Master’s in Social Work, and then worked in Ottawa and the Yukon. I've had the chance to do a fair bit of volunteer work on human rights issues, which in part was what led me to study law (and also why I’m passionate about equity!). Apart from school, I run long distances slowly, bake sourdough bread when I have the time, and spend way more time than I should watching RuPaul’s Drag Race with my hubby and our cats (Team Jimbo, whether or not they’re actually competing!)
Always down to talk about EDI initiatives or concerns, law school, good recipes, cats, drag queens, or anything else, really!
VP EVENTS
Alanna Decorby
Hi friends! My name is Alanna (she/her) and I’m your VP Events.
This is my second year in the role, so I’m excited to take everything I learned last year, and make this year even better! I like to think I was elected for this position for two reasons: my organizational skills and my partying skills. Although, I think it was mostly the latter.
My job is to plan all the best events (including Pre-O, FFB + Carbolic Smoke Ball!) and ensure that all of you have fun in between the hours of studying and crying that law school will surely bring!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or ideas for social events this year!
VP SPORTS & WELLNESS
Rory Suzukovich
Hey everyone, I am Rory (he/him) and I am your VP Sports & Wellness this year! I organize many big sports events like El Hacko, Hockey Night in Law, Bonspiel and intramurals. As the funniest one on the LSA, I like to think my smile and comedic timing presence alone is enough to sustain anyone's wellness, but this year I hope to use my role in addition to my 77.8% joke success rate to help all law students just feel a little better each day.
You can often find me at the law centre either perched in a dark room in the library or Steve's ordering a coffee at an obscene hour. If I'm not in Law Centre you can find me at any of the events of the Golden Bearristers Rugby Team, the Friday Tortfeasors Skates, skiing on the mountains or running.
I'm a massive extrovert, so please, never hesitate to talk or email me!
ILSA REPRESENTATIVE
Mason Graham
Hey everyone! My name is Mason (he/him) and I'm your Indigenous Law Students Association Representative this year!
As the ILSA Rep my job is to ensure Indigenous voices are heard, to keep an open line of communication between the ILSA and the LSA, and to create indigenous initiatives and opportunities.
If you're not indigenous don't worry, I also have the pleasure of creating learning opportunities for all students and advocating for indigenous/aboriginal law in general.
When I'm not studying in the library you'll probably find me brushing my hair, hanging out with Buddy (pictured), or playing RuneScape.
I'm always talking and am never quiet, so feel free to spark up a conversation any time
COHORT 1 REP
Patrick Battigelli
Hi friends! My name is Patrick Battigelli (he/him) and I am the 1L representative for Cohort 1 (It's number 1 because it's the best, by the way)! My job as a 1L rep is to make sure the voices of first year student voices are heard in decision making across the faculty, from the LSA to the LFC. I am also (along with my fellow 1L reps) in charge of organizing the Cohort Cup, the most important competition of the entire year.
When I'm not doing my readings in the library or attending a seemingly interminable series of meetings, you can usually find me in a local brewery enjoying some of Edmonton's fine craft beer, hanging out with friends, or attempting to rock climb really poorly.
As a former history student, I am happy to chat about your favourite obscure historical trivia (especially if it's about Soviet espionage or witchcraft), and technically I'm supposed to deal with 1L issues too so feel free to bring those to me as well!
COHORT 2 REP
Grayson Ukrainetz
Hello party people! My name is Grayson Ukrainetz (he/him). I am the first-year student representative for cohort two. If you’re having a problem in 1L, come to me and we’ll get it sorted out (I can usually be identified by the small, black toque on the top of my head). It's my job to make sure that student voices in 1L are heard and to ensure that you all know what events and schemes the LSA has cooking up,
Growing up, I was tempered by the cold winds of Lethbridge, AB. However, I managed to escape the cold for the past six years or so and pursued my undergraduate degree in the Okanagan where I worked in the social development sector with various organizations targeting homelessness and poverty alleviation. I am a big fan of wrestling pebbles (that’s what rock climbing is called where I come from), backcountry skiing, and, although I am absolutely awful at it, fly fishing!
If you see me, say hello! I will chat about anything with anyone and want to make sure everyone feels like they are an integral part of the community here at UofA.
COHORT 3 REP
Amy Kodsi
Hi everyone! My name is Amy (she/her) and I’m the 1L representative for Cohort 3! If you’ve met me before, you know being from Winnipeg is my primary personality trait (not my entire personality, don’t get it twisted). A big part of my job as a 1L rep is to make sure the interests of students in Cohort 3 are heard in order to enhance our collective law school experience. This includes influencing decision-making in the LSA and the LFC, along with taking part in the newly formed Cohort Cup (alongside my fellow 1L reps)!
When I’m not stressing about my readings in the library after hours or attending LSA meetings, you can find me at the gym lifting extremely (kidding, unless) heavy weights, exploring Edmonton’s local food scene, enhancing my own food scene at home (bakers, where you at), spending time with friends, and online shopping (a.k.a., adding everything to my cart followed by frantically closing the tab).
I’ve always valued meeting new people and having a solid conversation, so don’t hesitate to reach out or stop me in the halls!