Student life in McGill’s Faculty of Law came as a shock for Neil Modi, BCL/LLB’08 – but in the best possible way.
“Before I started, I had planned to immerse myself in my studies and focus on the academic aspect of being a law student,” says Neil. “What I found was a true sense of community in the student body, which I decided to fully embrace.”
Neil was inspired to take on an active role within the Faculty. As a student he served on the McGill Faculty of Law Admissions Committee, was elected to the McGill Law Students Association and the McGill Faculty of Law Council, and engaged with OutLaw McGill, a club for LGBTQ+ law students and supporters.
“Being at McGill and in Montreal meant I was able to partake in LGBTQ+ activities on campus – I had a lot of support from the community at McGill when I was a student. It helped me come out of my shell, and being a student representative gave me a unique opportunity to foster an inclusive environment in Law.”
McGill Law also shaped his view of the world: “I tend to take a global perspective of issues, and look at things from different angles. That’s engrained in you at McGill, and it’s carried through my career to this day.”
Neil currently practices in the areas of corporate law and immigration in Toronto. He has remained active with McGill law, serving on the Young Alumni Board and mentoring lawyers on his team (which includes McGill grads). Now he and his partner, former McGill employee Alain Saumur, are planning a bequest to establish a bursary for LGBTQ+ law students in financial need.
“My partner and I are in the process of estate planning, and giving back was at the top of our to-do list. McGill Law is already a great place to be, and we wanted to help someone else be a part of it. If it provides a bit of assistance, or allows them to pursue other activities and community involvement while at McGill, it will have a ripple effect in a positive way.”
His greater goal is to foster McGill Law’s environment of generosity and inclusiveness, “and perhaps motivate others to do the same. McGill gave us so much, and we wanted to give back. This was a meaningful way to support McGill in the long term.”
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