Mahan Ziaolhagh awarded 2026 TMU Gold Medal

At this year's Convocation Ceremony, Lincoln Alexander Law’s Mahan Ziaolhagh was honoured as the recipient of the prestigious Toronto Metropolitan University Gold Medal in recognition of academic excellence and outstanding contributions to the university, profession, and community.

Throughout law school, Mahan distinguished himself through exceptional leadership and professional achievement. He served as Executive Editor of the TMU Law Review, Vice-President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, and Director of Finance for the Middle Eastern and North African Students’ Association. Mahan also excelled in practical legal training, assisting judges with criminal law research at the Ontario Court of Justice and working as a summer student at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP. Committed to supporting his community, Mahan dedicated countless hours to lifting up his peers by coaching moot teams, guiding recruitment preparation, and hosting exam prep sessions. He firmly believes that true accomplishments are those that create collective opportunities for everyone.

Before joining Lincoln Alexander Law, Mahan earned his Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Law & Business from the Ted Rogers School of Management. His curiosity, dedication, and commitment to service have left a lasting impact on the law school community.

We invited Mahan to reflect on his law school journey, what it means to receive this award, and his advice for incoming law students.

Tell us a bit about your journey to law school. Why did you choose to pursue a legal education and join Lincoln Alexander Law?

I’ve had my eyes set on attending law school since elementary school, when my fifth grade teacher gave me the cliché “you would make a great lawyer” speech. This small yet significant spark eventually led me to pursue a Law & Business degree at the Ted Rogers School of Management, where I developed a passion for solving complex legal problems and understanding how the law shapes people’s lives and society as a whole. I wanted a career where I could provide service to others through analytical thinking and meaningful advocacy, while continuing to learn every day.

I chose to attend the Lincoln Alexander School of Law because of its smaller cohort size and focus on experiential learning. Throughout my time here, I have not only developed the practical skills to help me succeed in my legal career but, most importantly, developed lasting relationships within the tight-knit law school community.

What does receiving the gold medal mean to you?

The gold medal is an incredible honour that I am grateful to receive. I have spent the past three years surrounded by exceptional colleagues, many of whom are just as deserving of recognition for their academic achievements and community involvement.

While my name may be the one engraved on the medal, this award undoubtedly belongs to my loving family, friends, and the Lincoln Alexander Law community, who have never stopped supporting me and believing in me. Without them, I would not have reached this milestone or become the person I am today.

What do you think you will remember most about law school?

I truly believe the Lincoln Alexander Law community is one of the strongest and most supportive across all law schools, so, without a doubt, what I will remember most are the incredible people I have been fortunate to have met during my time here. My friends, professors, mentors, and peers have made this journey an unforgettable one, and I am forever grateful to them.

I’ll also remember the endless opportunities to grow outside the classroom, whether through competing in the Gale Cup Moot, working at the Ontario Court of Justice, or serving as a teaching assistant. These experiences taught me just as much about professionalism, collaboration, and resilience as my courses did.

What advice would you give to students entering their first year?

My number one piece of advice for incoming law students is to be confident and believe in yourself—you have gone through a highly selective application process and have made it this far because you have what it takes. Do your best not to fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others; as brilliant as your peers are, you too are brilliant!

I also encourage students to take advantage of extracurricular opportunities. The strongest relationships are built during those late nights when you and your mooting partner are rewriting your arguments, and the most rewarding memories are made when your student club successfully hosts an event you’ve been planning for months.

Be curious, have fun, and always help those around you.

What are your future plans?

I am excited to return to Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP this fall, where I will continue to learn from and work with an exceptional team of lawyers in a full-service practice. I also look forward to continuing to support and contribute to the success of future Lincoln Alexander Law students, which will be kickstarted this year with the launch of the Ziaolhagh & Matharu 1L Moot Prize—the law school’s first alumni award co-created by me and my friend, Aman Matharu, for first-year law students.