WPGA Legal Scholars Excel on the National Stage

WPGA’s tradition of excellence in legal writing continues to grow, with Sophie Liu ’26 earning first place in the prestigious Bernard Chernos Essay Competition, hosted annually by the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (CCLET). Sophie is the third WPGA student to win first place, a remarkable legacy that speaks to the strength of our law program and the passion of our students.

Sophie’s award-winning essay, Guilty Until Proven Innocent? The Constitutional Crisis of Reverse Onus Bail Reform, takes a critical look at recent bail reform policies, exploring their impact on the presumption of innocence—a cornerstone of Canada’s justice system. Her nuanced analysis, persuasive argumentation, and depth of research earned her $750 in prize money and national recognition.

We also extend our congratulations to Jason Zhang ’25, who received an honourable mention for his essay, further demonstrating WPGA’s strength in fostering thoughtful and engaged young legal minds. The Bernard Chernos Essay Competition invites students from across Canada to engage with pressing legal issues and fundamental freedoms, inspiring the next generation of thinkers and advocates. Sophie’s historic win continues a proud WPGA tradition, and we look forward to seeing where her talents will take her next. Learn more about the competition here.

This October, Law Studies 12 students will compete in the York University School of Public Policy & Administration contest. Learn more about it here.