Meet Our Law Students
Shirley Barton
Shirley is an articling student at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. With a background in governance and community engagement, she was drawn to the firm’s commitment to practical, client-focused advocacy.
Shirley recently completed her Juris Doctor (J.D.) at the University of Alberta. During law school, she held several leadership positions, including President of the Christian Legal Fellowship Student Chapter, Co-President of the Law & Older Student Club, and Co-Editor and Secretary of the Alberta Law Review.
Prior to law school, Shirley earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree with distinction from Athabasca University, where she concentrated on leadership and governance courses.
Outside of the office, Shirley enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, skating, sewing, and transforming her garden harvest into home-cooked meals and preserves for her family.
Elise Mehrassa
Elise is an articling student who’s thrilled to acquire more invaluable employment and disability law experience with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. She recently completed her Juris Doctor (J.D.) at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law.
While at law school, Elise completed a clinical semester at Rise Women’s Legal Centre, a community legal clinic serving economically disadvantaged clients who are self-representing in their family law matters. This experience provided her with valuable hands-on experience providing tangible legal supports to people trying to navigate the family law system in BC — allowing her to gain exposure to a trauma-informed approach to providing legal services.
Prior to attending law school, Elise earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Simon Fraser University, graduating in 2023 with distinction. This degree enabled her to learn more about the way in which systemic factors impacted individuals’ justice system experiences, and her education fuelled her desire to help individuals access justice and to ultimately support them with their legal problems.
The value Elise sees in legal education led her to volunteer with Legal Education Outreach — giving educational presentations to high school students on various legal topics.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking new recipes for family and friends and exploring her local farmer’s market.
Lauren Tsilker
Lauren is a 2L summer student at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP with an interest in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
She’s currently completing her Juris Doctor (J.D.) at Western Law where her experience as a student intern at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) confirmed her passion for plaintiff-side advocacy. Her experience as an LSAT tutor has strengthened her ability to break down complex concepts and explain them simply.
Prior to law school, she earned her undergraduate degree from Dalhousie University — majoring in philosophy, minoring in business, and obtaining a certificate in marketing. Her multidisciplinary background reflects her curiosity and commitment to developing a well-rounded perspective.
While at Dalhousie University, Lauren was actively involved in her community. She founded the Wellness at Dalhousie society and volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halifax.
In her free time, Lauren loves to try new things — whether it’s exploring, hobbies, or a yoga flow.
Lauren Marley
Lauren is a 2L summer student at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP who’s excited to get hands-on employment law experience.
She’s currently completing her Juris Doctor (J.D.) at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. During law school, she’s been a member of the Dalhousie Student Advocate Service and the Wills Society, a pro bono group which assists lawyers in drafting wills for elderly clients.
In 2024, Lauren graduated from Dalhousie University with honours in Social Anthropology and Contemporary Studies. Both research and advocacy experience led her to law school — completing a thesis on parents returning from parental leave.
Outside of the office, she enjoys cooking extravagant recipes and going for a run.