Janet (Jay Jay) Johnson, a proactive and inspiring second-year student at Osgoode Hall Law School, has recently been elected as the national president of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada (BLSA Canada) for the 2024-2025 term.
BLSA Canada, which was established in 1991, plays a crucial role in supporting and advocating for Black law students across the country. Johnson, who previously served as the National Director of Professional Development at BLSA, has been instrumental in orchestrating key initiatives, including a national firm hop and a bilingual clerkship open house, which significantly boosted engagement and support for Black law students nationwide.
Prior to her law studies, Johnson earned a Bachelor of Human Justice from the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. Her commitment to community building was evident even then, as she took on various leadership roles such as student ambassador, teaching assistant, and residence assistant. Her initiatives often focused on creating culturally relevant events aimed at empowering her peers.
At Osgoode Hall Law School, Johnson has continued her commendable efforts in community engagement. She has served as the Mentorship Coordinator for BLSA Osgoode and the Residence Fellow, among other roles. Johnson has played a critical role in integrating first-year students into the academic community as a Dean’s Fellow.
Johnson has completed an internship at Blakes LLP and is set to join Torys LLP as a summer student, further advancing her promising career in law.
Dean Trevor Farrow expressed his admiration and support for Johnson’s new role, stating, “Jay Jay Johnson exemplifies the spirit and dedication we strive to cultivate here at Osgoode. Her election as the president of BLSA Canada not only reflects her exceptional leadership and commitment to service but also underscores the impact our students can have on the broader legal community. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and confident that she will continue to excel in this prestigious position.”