Meet
The Team
Executive Leadership
Co-Editor-in-Chief & Columnist
Glenn McAleer
Glenn McAleer started at The Moot Times in 2021 as our columnist. His “Ask the Experts” column has been a hit, and he introduced a second column series in 2022 “Glenn’s Pens”. Glenn is a 2L at UCalgary Law. He obtained a BA (Honours) in Business Communication from Brock University.
A theatre-kid at heart, Glenn was once the co-founder of a small theatre company in his hometown of Oakville, Ontario.
As a chronic-snacker, Glenn is the “Most likely to ask if you’re going to finish that” at the Moot Times.
Athina Pantazopoulos
Athina Pantazopoulos is currently a 2L at UCalgary Law. She obtained her BA (Honours) in English Literature and Theatre from the University of Ottawa, where she was also an Editorial Assistant for the Ottawa Arts Review. She further pursued her interest in editing at Simon Fraser University, where she completed her editing certification, which she carries forward as an editor at the Alberta Law Review.
Athina is a writer of speculative fiction and one-act plays. She hopes to use her love of writing to advocate for others and tell their stories, and you may see this passion shine through in her thoughtful contributions to this ‘zine.
Athina loves to spend her free time with her two puppies, Eeva, and Lyra. As a lifelong storyteller and an out-of-practice poet, Athina is our “most likely to write you a cheesy sonnet” at The Moot Times.
Co-Editor-in-Chief & Copy Editor
Co-Treasurer
Heidi J. T. Exner, CFE
Heidi J. T. Exner was our Editor-in-Chief from 2020-22. She is a 2023 JD & MBA candidate, a Graduate College Scholar, and off campus she is preparing to take the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams.
Heidi has co-authored academic work with UCalgary Law’s Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Director of Research, Dr Lyndsay Campbell. She is also a freelance journalist and has penned editorial pieces in various local, national, and international publications. Heidi is currently the Canada Bureau Chief at JURIST Legal News and Commentary, so please ask her about this publication! She is also the Founder and Executive Director of her own non-profit, a past board director of Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG), and the past Chair of the UCalgary Faculty of Arts Alumni Advisory Council (FoAAAC).
We can’t prove it, but we don’t think she sleeps. She is the “most likely to discover the lethal overdose of caffeine” at The Moot Times.
Co-Treasurer
Randann Sargent
Randann Sargent is currently a 3L at UCalgary Law. He obtained his BA (with Distinction) in Law and Society from the University of Calgary, and he has worked as a student at two criminal defence law firms in Alberta.
Prior to entering law school Randann also had a career in law enforcement. This influenced his desire to become a criminal defence lawyer, but his studies also play a key role in fine-tuning his interests. Randann’s personal interests include health and fitness, but he balances this with downtime at home.
As a firm believer in the need to hear all sides of key issues in the pursuit of truth, Randann is our “most likely to engage in intense dialogue” at The Moot Times.
Online Content Editor
Emily Zheng
Emily Zheng is currently a 2L at UCalgary Law. Prior to commencing her legal studies, she obtained her Honours BA from the University of Toronto in Social Sciences, majoring in Environmental Studies and Urban Studies, and minoring in Environmental Geography.
Emily is highly skilled in website design and administration, and she is also versed in Adobe’s suite of software. Outside of her student activities, Emily’s formidable drive extends to the skating rink. She is currently an Ice and Facility Monitor and a Skating Instructor at UCalgary’s skating centre, the Olympic Oval. She is also the Co-Founder and Director of the Sapling Skating School in Toronto, Ontario, and a former competitive figure skater.
As our resident web guru, Emily is the “most likely to find the Easter Egg” in our group.
Layout Editor
Roisin Burrington
Roisin (Ro) Burrington is currently a 2L at UCalgary Law. Before starting law school, Ro obtained a BA in Archaeology and Art History, and an MA in Art History from University College Dublin. Ro has a particular interest in criminal law, and this past summer she worked as a research assistant at UCalgary Law.
In her spare time, Ro loves to hike, swim, and create all kinds of art and crafts. She also collects succulents and Lego minifigures, and she has been known to binge-read mystery novels.
A devoted cat mom to her two tortoiseshells, Luna and Puca, Ro is "most likely to be perpetually covered in cat hair" at The Moot Times.
Copy Editor
Ashley Gray
Ashley Gray is currently a 1L at UCalgary Law. Prior to law school, she obtained her BA in English (Honours) from the University of Calgary and her Technical Writing Certificate from Mount Royal University. She has edited various journals, magazines, newspapers, PhD theses, fiction, and more. She has poetry published in NōD Magazine and short stories published in YYC Ghost Stories Volume 2.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys running, reading fiction, writing fiction and poetry, and spending time with her husband and their two Bengal cats. As someone who is perpetually hungry, Ashley is the "most likely to have snacks" at the Moot Times.
Contributors
Megan Goldie
Megan is a 1L at UCalgary Law, mother of 2 and former RN. She holds a BA in Anthropology and a BSc in Nursing both from the University of Alberta and has a particular interest in health policy and law. Megan's limited spare time is devoted to listening to podcasts and audiobooks while she is cooking or practicing various fibre arts.
Neema Khalili
Neema Khalili is a first-year law student and a University of Calgary alumni. His interests are in family law and civil litigation, he also enjoys writing about wellness, astrology and skin care.
Alissar Laham
Alissar Laham is a 1L Student who enjoys both analytical and creative writing. She is undecided about the direction of her legal career, but is enjoying the pursuit of knowledge all the same!
Shakira Yazdani
Shakira is a 1L at Ucalgary Law, and we are pretty sure she is the only 1L who has already completed upper year courses! Shae arrived in Calgary from Afghanistan via Kyrgyzstan, where she studied as a UCalgary Law student via Zoom. Prior to leaving her home country, Shakira was a law student at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul. In addition to her many accolades, she is the Afghanistan Desk Editor at JURIST Legal News and Commentary.
Robin Young
Robin Young is currently in her 1L year at the University of Calgary and has achieved both a Bachelor's of Science in Communication and Economics at the University of Utah. Robin will never turn down a good story, with her writing interests spanning from prose, to playwriting, to journalism, and even to legal writing so long as she can pass her Legislation course (fingers crossed!).
Want to contribute?
If you would like to be a guest contributor, please contact our editorial team. We would be happy to hear from you!
© The Moot Times 2022
