Woods brings in a new group of articling students

Our firm is pleased to introduce four new hires: Catherine Couture, Omar El Baba, Alexandra Fabre and Lara Itani. Their journey at the firm begins as students and will advance to articling students by 2024. Discover these promising talents with a passion for dispute resolution: 

Catherine Couture is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws degree at the Université du Québec à Montréal, where she distinguishes herself in both her achievements and involvement. In 2017, she graduated from the same university with a Bachelor’s degree in political science, Catherine has engaged in multiple extra-curricular activities throughout her education, as well as serving as a teaching assistant to several professors. Before joining the firm, she was a part-time student researcher at a national law firm and an intern at the legal department of La Presse. Catherine also worked as a research assistant to Professor Patrick Forget. As a participant in the Pierre-Basile-Mignault moot court competition of 2022, she won the award for second best brief.

A member of the Egyptian Bar, Omar El Baba has a well-rounded academic and professional background in dispute resolution, especially in the field of international arbitration. He has practiced for over three years in a law firm in Egypt after having completed several internships in renowned law firms in both Egypt and France. Prior to that, he obtained a dual Licence in Law and a Master’s degree in Business Law from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Cairo University and a Master’s degree in Private International Law and International Trade Law from Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas. He is currently in the process of completing the Bachelor of Laws equivalency at McGill University, pursuant to the decision rendered by the Quebec Bar. Omar is fluent in French, English and Arabic. 

Alexandra Fabre has already successfully completed an internship with the firm as part of Université de Sherbrooke’s co-op program in the summer of 2021. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in parallel with her law studies. She developed a keen interest in constitutional and aboriginal law during her studies, especially through the Kawaskimhon National Arbitration Moot. Alexandra has worked as a student for Justices Daniel Royer and France Dulude of the Quebec Superior Court. In recognition of her involvement and leadership in Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), she was awarded both the Marie-Claude Landry Award and the Chief Justice Richard Wagner Award.

Lara Itani completed the BCL/JD program and a minor in Political Science at McGill University, coupled with a semester of study in International, European and Comparative Law at the University of Trento in Italy. Lara quickly confirmed her interest in a career in litigation while attending Collège Stanislas, where she and her team won the Philippe Casgrain Prize in the Montreal Bar Moot Court Competition. Throughout her time at university, she has refined her knowledge by participating in numerous academic and social activities. Among other things, she has worked at the McGill Crépeau Centre as a research assistant, has completed two summers working at a litigation firm, participated in the Pierre-Basile-Mignault Moot, contributed to legal clinics, and led the New Dictionary on the Law of Persons project. Lara is fluent in French, English and Arabic.