Working with clients at Legal Assistance of Windsor has been one of the formative experiences in her education, says Emilia Coto.

“What I really enjoyed was my exposure to clients,” says Coto, who will receive her law degree during Convocation ceremonies Friday. “It’s a unique opportunity because you’re working with people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to legal services.”

She says that presenting in front of tribunals dealing with landlord and tenant disputes, compensation for crime victims, and social assistance, has given her valuable experience that will be applicable in her professional career.

Her work with LAW earned her the $1,000 Avril A. Farlam Advocacy Award from the Women’s Law Association of Ontario. The award recognizes outstanding participation in the legal clinic program of an Ontario law school. Coto received the honour at the association’s annual gala June 8 in Toronto.

She is especially pleased that the award is sponsored by a Windsor-based lawyer. Farlam is a commercial litigator with the firm of Barat Farlam Katzman and deputy judge of the small claims court.

“I will be able to stay in touch with her as a mentor,” Coto says. “One of the benefits of this award is it helps you meet people and make professional contacts.”

Coto, a native of London, plans to practice in the area of corporate law and remain in the Windsor area.

“I love the fact that it’s a border town,” she says. “It just opens up so many opportunities.”