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Drawn to the Schulich School of Law for its commitment to social justice and public service, Jessica Burke (JD ’25) arrived at Dalhousie in September 2019 following the completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University.

She was seeking a legal education that balanced rigorous academics with compassion and real-world impact and was attracted to the law school’s reputation for collegiality and emphasis on experiential learning. Burke already had a strong interest in criminal law, stemming from her previous experience working on issues of intimate partner violence and restorative justice.

“In my first term of law school, I was eager to immerse myself in campus life. I attended Law Hours and guest lectures, studied with classmates, and volunteered for leadership roles within student organizations,” Burke explains.

“At the time, I couldn’t have known how formative those early months at Weldon would be or how much the relationships I built would matter.”

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly cut short the on-campus portion of her first year and shifted her studies online. Burke, like the rest of her law school community, adapted to the new learning and working environment as best she could. Then, in the spring of 2021, she was faced with another obstacle. She received a diagnosis that would reshape not only her law school experience, but the course of her life: small cell carcinoma of the ovary hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), a rare and often aggressive form of ovarian cancer.

A three-year treatment period followed during which she continued her degree on a part-time basis. Remaining enrolled at the Schulich School of Law offered stability at a time when much felt uncertain, allowing her to stay engaged with her studies and grounded with a sense of purpose.

“I leaned on relationships with faculty and sought out opportunities to stay involved through advocacy and volunteer work, both on and off campus,” Burke says. Alongside legal projects, she also contributed to health initiatives focused on improving cancer care in Atlantic Canada. “Continuing to engage with the Weldon community through all of the highs and lows is something I’m deeply proud of,” she adds.

Over time, Burke’s academic interests expanded beyond criminal law, as her lived experience sparked a deeper interest in health law. Ultimately, this resulted in her being one of the very few Schulich Law students to graduate from the JD program with two specializations: Criminal Justice and Health Law & Policy.

She completed her final semester with Dalhousie Legal Aid Service in the winter of 2025. “The experience was demanding but rewarding,” she shares. “It marked a return to hands-on advocacy and client-focused work and it affirmed my place in a community I had worked hard to remain part of throughout my studies.”

Adam Guzkowski, Schulich Law’s assistant dean of Student and Academic Affairs, witnessed firsthand the obstacles she overcame, as well as her resilience and determination. The two worked closely together over the final years of Burke’s education to ensure she could achieve her goal of graduating with a law degree.

”Jessica demonstrated remarkable passion, commitment, and perseverance throughout her JD studies,” shares Guzkowski. "Her approach, when faced with adversity, was to engage with those challenges with intentionality, thoughtful care, and wisdom, and I am truly excited to see where her journey takes her in the future."

Now a judicial assistant with the Metro Provincial Courts, Burke is actively learning from those who bring the criminal justice system to life each day. She is building on the practical knowledge, skills, and professional foundation she established during law school. She says that this role feels like a natural next step – one grounded in the principles of service, empathy, and care that defined her time at Weldon.

As she reflects back on her time at the Schulich School of Law, she says it’s the people she misses the most.

“One of the things that makes this law school so special is the strength of the Schulich Law community. I feel privileged to have learned here and I’m especially grateful to the faculty and staff for their years of guidance and unwavering support.”