view . spring2017
7
WhenMylaPiccowas inGrade5, sheorganizedher first
fundraiser.
InGrade8, she shadoweda cousinwhopractised law to learn
moreabout it as a career.
In2014, Piccoearned the topmarks inher graduating class
as adoublemajor in criminologyand sociology.
She’swoncountlessbursariesandscholarshipsandacademicawards.
Amongher recent kudos, Picco receiveda$5,000ATHENAaward
last fall for community involvement, leadershippotential, academic
excellenceand inspiration towomen.
Now, on the cuspof graduation from theFacultyof Law—with
second-highestmarks inher class—this youngwoman continues to
set agold standard for academicachievement, givingback, andbeing
all-aroundamazing.
Piccoand the law schoolwereanatural fit.Windsor Law’s theme
of “Access to Justice” resonates deeplywithPicco,who is a self-
described “peoplepersonandadvocate.”
“Our law school has a collegial and supportive culture,” she says.
“Students sharewhatwe learn in the classroombyacting in the
greater community.”
This is something that Piccohas longembraced.Duringher high
school andundergraduateyears, shegavegreat swaths of her time
tohelpingothers. Shevolunteeredwith theDowntownMissionOut
of theColdProgramandColdestNight of theYearWalk; the cancer
fundraising initiative, Transition toBetterness; and theSocietyof Saint
Vincent dePaul CommunityCleanUp.
As auniversityundergrad, Piccowas aStudentsOrienting
Students (SOS) co-ordinator, responsible for orientationprogramming
for incoming students, for recruiting, training, and retainingmore
than200 campus volunteers, and supervisingmultiplevolunteer
committees.
Picco’s first-year lawexperience introducedher to itsProBono
StudentsCanada chapter,whereas avolunteer for thegroup’s refugee
project, shedraftedhumanitarianand compassionategrounds
applications for refugeeswho live inWindsor. She considers the “most
rewardingexperienceof myacademic career” tobe thefirst time she
learned that anapplication she’d submittedhadbeenapproved.
Sheworkedas a researchassistant to lawprofessorNoel Semple
for aproject that focusedon thedynamics of personal plight legal
practiceand theaccessibilityof lawyer services. “This helpedme
realizemy interest inassistingpeoplewith their legal issues, rather
than corporate clients,” she says.
In secondyear law, Piccobecame involvedwith theFamily
LawProject, theflagshipproject of ProBonoStudentsCanada.
It gives students theopportunity toworkalongside lawyers toassist
unrepresented litigants in theOntarioCourt of Justiceand the
SuperiorCourt of Justice.
Now in thirdyear, Picco is theFamilyLawProject co-ordinator.
She conducts client intakewithunrepresented litigants andassists
Legal AidOntario staff andduty counsel bydraftingandfiling court
documents at theOntarioCourt of Justice inWindsor.
Picco’s involvementwith theSemple researchand theFamily
LawProject hada tremendous impact uponher. “Theygaveme
insight intohow I canprovidemoreaccessible legal services.”
Shealso serves as a student ambassador on theOntario Justice
EducationNetworkWorkingGroup, andon theFacultyof Law’sHigh
SchoolOutreach team. She is the lead teachingassistant for Lawand
BusinessAdministration.
Howdoes shemanage tohandleher long list of obligations?
“My calendar apponmyphone ismybest friend,” she laughs. “I have
good timemanagement skills andknowwhat to takeon—andwhen
to say, ‘no’.”
After graduation, Piccowill articlewith theWindsor lawfirmof
GregMonforton&Partners InjuryLawyers,which focusesonpersonal
injury law. She intends to continueher involvementwithProBono,
perhaps as a lawyer supervisor in the future.
Picco considers hermother hermentor. “She is themost
motivatedperson. She is extremely successful. Fromayoungage,
shewas involved innon-profits andboardof directors’work. She set
aprimeexampleof what Iwant tobecome.”
She’s not confiningher future to the ideaof onlypractising law.
“Imight be interested in teachingas a sessional. Continuingwithmy
communitywork.Doing somethingunconventional.
“A lawdegreeopens doors tomanyopportunities.”
n
v
ALL-AROUNDAMAZING
MylaPiccoBA ’14
STUDENT PROFILE
BYJENNIFERAMMOSCATO
Opposite:MylaPiccoBA ’14, third year Law.
