Courtesy Marco Maduri
April 10, 2024
Style and substance: Student award posthumously honours law alum
At law school, even on the first day, casual attire for students is a given. And 2013 is certainly no exception.
Until Armin Mojtahedi strides in.
That morning, his spiffy outfit catches eyes. Recalling that initial glimpse of his classmate (and future roommate), Marco Maduri chuckles. âHe was wearing a suit,â says Maduri, JD/MBAâ17. âA bold pattern. Peak lapels. Well-tailored. A bit much forĚý10 oâclockĚýon aĚýWednesday. Who is this guy? Everyone else is wearing a hoodie, a T-shirt, sweatpants. But he stood out â he was a unique individual.â
Michelle Christopher, BAâ82, then a Faculty of Law professor and now a justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, will never forget her introduction to the dapper newcomer. âIt wasnât an act. It was just him deciding on the first day that this is really what he wanted to do,â she says. âHe insisted on dressing the part of a lawyer, soĚýhe was always impeccably turned out.â
Sartorial splendour was Mojtahediâs hallmark. But his depth went well beyond the cool threads. He brimmed with enthusiasm, confidence and determination â and wanted to make a difference by practising law.
Those intentions, tragically, ended up being cut short. Mojtahedi, JDâ16, died in 2017, following a diagnosis of an aggressive brain tumour. Fighting through failing health, he still nearly managed to fulfill his articling obligations.
Keeping Arminâs story alive
Established now in his honour by classmates, friends, colleagues, family members and instructors is theĚý, a scholarship that recognizes students who demonstrate exemplary mentorship, commitment and collegiality as members of (SLA) and within the law school.
âIf this could help a student in Arminâs memory,â says Justice Christopher, former executive director of SLA, âit would be amazing because he was really passionate about his work at Student Legal Assistance to improve access to justice.â
SLA is a pro-bono legal clinicĚýthat provides services to low-income residents in the Calgary area. Advocacy work appealed toĚýMojtahedi and he dedicated himself to the cause, according to Maduri.ĚýâIf we can find other students who have that passion, if we can do something that supports them in the work that SLA does, weâll all be very proud.â
The goal is to raise enough for the scholarship so it can be awarded in perpetuity, with $1,000 going to one deserving student each year. Friends and family are actively fundraising and invite anyone who knew Armin or is moved by his story toĚý.
, on now through April 18, is an ideal time for a fundraising push, with donations matched, up to $2,500 per gift, while matching funds last.
âArmin loved the idea of being a lawyer. From Day 1, he was committed to that idea,â says William Katz, JD/MBAâ16, a senior associate at JSS Barristers in Calgary who was amongĚýMojtahediâs friends and classmates. âGuaranteed, at the SLA dinner every year, students will hear his name, they will hear what he stood for.â
A bittersweet bar call
Mojtahediâs inspirational journey has been well documented. Following the petitioning of the Law Society of Alberta, . On Sept. 29, 2023, at the Calgary Courts Centre with Justice Christopher presiding â in front of loved ones, including his parents, sister (and her toddler named Armin) â Mojtahedi was admitted as a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the final step to becoming a lawyer.
Courtesy Mojtahedi family
âThe last time I saw Armin, he said, âThis (cancer) is not going to stop me,ââ says Katz. âI told him that if thereâs anything I can do, I would do it. And he said, âIâll take you up on that.â So, for me, it was a promise I made. There was a huge sense of, âOK, we were able to get him to the finish line.ââ
Maduri, who assumed care of Mojtahediâs beloved bulldog Chip, is pleased by the bar call and the scholarship.
âTo remember how excited Armin was about this profession, it really makes you grateful,â says Maduri, now an associate at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Vancouver. âIt gives you a sense of perspective. It really makes you appreciate what weâve all accomplished, how hard we all fought, and how much one of our good friends wanted to be right here with us.
âItâs a sad story, but I think it also has a happy ending.â
UCalgary Giving Day is April 18.ĚýWhether you support research, student awards or another one of ˝űÂţĚěĚĂ innovative funds, your gift will help change lives and shape the future. Eligible gifts made from April 4-18 will be matched, up to $2,500 per gift, per fund â but only while matching funds last, so be sure to give early! Make your gift today atĚý.