Denise Mentis-Smith
Biography
Denise Mentis-Smith, KC graduated from the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University in 1995. Denise was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1996 and she received her Queen's Counsel designation in April 2018. Denise practises with the firm Harris North Law in Bedford, Nova Scotia and over the past 26 years, Denise has developed an extensive practice in Personal Injury Law with an emphasis on motor vehicle accidents and occupiers liability. In addition to her Personal Injury practice, Denise has also developed a practice in Wills & Estates.
Sarah L. Macleod
Biography
After some time working at the Public Health Ontario Labs in Toronto, Sarah moved to Halifax to pursue her law degree at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. While at law school, Sarah volunteered at the Centre for Law and Democracy and was awarded a Schulich Academic Excellence Fund award to intern at the Dallaire Institute. Sarah also worked as a research associate in the areas of international human rights law and international environmental law, with a focus on environmental justice and sustainable development.
Sarah served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies and participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition in her final year of law school.
Sarah obtained her Juris Doctor in 2020 and articled with Burchells LLP. During her articles, Sarah acted as Deputy Coach to the 2021 Schulich School of Law Jessup Moot team and continues to be involved in research in the areas of international environmental law and sustainability. Sarah has co-authored a chapter in the Research Handbook in Polar Law (Edward Elgar, 2020) and continues to edit international environmental law texts.
Sarah joined the firm’s litigation group after being called to the bar in Nova Scotia in 2021. She has a particular interest in administrative, human rights, and insurance law. Sarah will be commencing a clerkship with the Federal Court in Ottawa, with the Honourable Justice Michael Manson in July 2021.
Sarah received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology & Immunology (Honours) in 2012 and her Master of Science in Cardiovascular Physiology & Biophysics in 2014, both from Dalhousie University.
Outside of work, you can find Sarah attending ballet classes at Halifax Dance, honing her second language skills through Alliance Française, and exploring Nova Scotia.
