BY SHEILA PURSGLOVE Legal News – August 16, 2016
Aruna Vithiananthan’s grandfather was a well-known criminal defense lawyer in Sri Lanka, who continued to practice law as a Canadian citizen. Vithiananthan, a Canadian native born and raised in Toronto, heard stories of his cases from a young age.
“Law was his passion but he always told me, ‘law is a jealous mistress,’” she says. “I never had an unrealistic view of the legal profession – I knew the work and dedication it took to be in this field. He was compassionate, intelligent, and had a sense of duty.
After losing my grandfather over five years ago, being in legal profession makes me feel connected to him.”
A student in the Canadian & American Dual J.D. program offered by the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, Vithiananthan is enjoying the challenge of completing two law degrees simultaneously. “The program forces you to multi-task and to learn comparatively,” she says.
“These are skills dual students will be able to carry forward into the workplace where our peers have completed one law degree in the same time period it took us to complete two.” Vithiananthan appreciates the ability to learn in two different teaching environments, with double the opportunities and resources. “This is a unique program….” Download the article for more.
