Anish Jammu awarded 2025 TMU Gold Medal

Anish Jammu has made a lasting impact during her time at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. A dedicated leader and advocate, Anish contributed to legal scholarship as a research assistant through the Bridging Divides research program, supported first-year students as a teaching assistant in Ethics & Professionalism, and served as a panelist on several career and professional development panels. She also co-founded the Sikh Law Students’ Association, creating space for connection and representation within the legal community.

Outside the classroom, Anish volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada and Legal Aid Ontario’s Refugee Law Office to support access to justice, while continuing to serve in the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructor Cadre as a Training Officer at the rank of Captain - demonstrating her sustained commitment to youth development and public service. Before starting law school, Anish completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Toronto and a Master of Science in Global Health at McMaster University.

Her dedication to education and community service exemplifies the values of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, making her a natural choice for this year’s TMU Gold Medal. We invited Anish to reflect on her law school journey, what it means to receive this award, and her 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?

My journey to law school began with an undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Toronto, where I was drawn to the logical problem-solving approach offered by the scientific method. I saw science as the most practical way to understand the world around me, and for a while, it was exactly the kind of intellectual challenge I thrived on. However, over time, I realized that while I could analyze the world under a microscope, I wanted to interact with it more broadly and holistically, through dialogue, systems, and public impact.

That realization led me to pursue a Master of Science in Global Health at McMaster University, where the interdisciplinary program provided me with the opportunity to meaningfully engage with law and policy for the first time. What I never anticipated was how much the legal field challenged and engaged me, as I got to write about, debate, and evaluate complex issues from multiple perspectives. This incredible experience and revelation ultimately prompted me to apply to law school, where it quickly became clear that this was the path I was meant to take.

I chose to pursue my legal education at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law because of the strong emphasis on experiential learning and innovation. As someone who learns best by doing, I was pleased to find pursuing the study of law through the Integrated Practice Curriculum both challenging and deeply fulfilling.  

What does receiving the gold medal mean to you?

I am incredibly honoured and humbled to have received the gold medal because it recognizes not only academic achievement, but also my commitment to community engagement, service, and leadership within the university and the broader community. 

As a first-generation lawyer, receiving the gold medal is also very meaningful to me because this accomplishment is the collective result of the hard work, dedication, and support of many. Above all, it belongs to my family, whose unwavering love, quiet sacrifices, and steadfast belief in me formed the foundation of this journey. I’m also deeply grateful to the friends, mentors, professors, and peers who guided, challenged, and encouraged me along the way. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a community that believes in me, often more than I believed in myself.

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

What I will remember most about law school are the meaningful connections I formed along the way. Law school was a transformative journey for me, both challenging and profoundly rewarding, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced it alongside such a brilliant group of classmates. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to have learned from an outstanding faculty, exceptional practicum instructors, and dedicated mentors, whose guidance has helped shape my path in the legal profession.

Specifically, I would like to thank Professors Atak, Evans Cameron, Halewood, Hammond, and Ngwaba, who each played a pivotal role in expanding my understanding of the law. Their insights, encouragement, and commitment to student learning left a lasting impact on me, both personally and professionally. 

Equally impactful were the experiences beyond the classroom, including serving as a research assistant through the Bridging Divides research program, supporting first year students as a teaching assistant in Ethics & Professionalism, co-founding the Sikh Law Students’ Association, participating as a panelist on career and professional development panels, and volunteering through Pro Bono Students Canada and the legal clinic program. These experiences challenged me, inspired me, and reminded me why I chose this path, to meaningfully contribute to the broader community.         

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

The advice I would give to students entering their first year is to take ownership of your education and your future in the legal profession. Law school is full of incredible opportunities; however, in most cases, you must take the initiative and actively pursue them. Ask questions, talk to your professors, and don’t be afraid to follow your curiosity. If you’re interested in a professor’s research, reach out and start the conversation. If there’s a student group you wish existed, take the initiative to create it. The more you put yourself out there, the more doors will open.

At the same time, be open to the unexpected. As a first-generation law student, I came to law school without a clear idea of the exact kind of lawyer I wanted to be, but along the way, I discovered interests I had never considered before. The shift only happened because I allowed myself to explore, to be curious, and to change direction when something sparked my interest. Law school will challenge you, but it will also introduce you to entirely new ways of thinking and being in the world.   

This journey is yours, so build it with intention, determination, courage, and confidence to make it your own.  Remember, there is no single path to success here, choose your own adventure.

What are your future plans?

I am very excited to be returning to Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto, where I look forward to continuing to learn from and work with a talented team of lawyers as I begin my legal career. As a first-generation lawyer, I remain committed to employing my legal education to create space, foster opportunity, and contribute to expanding access to justice.