Ben Frenken came to the Schulich School of Law with a classical disposition: two degrees in Classics at Dal/King鈥檚 and a master鈥檚 thesis on Homer鈥檚 Odyssey.
One language that Homer had yet to be translated into: the Weldon tradition.
Together with his classmates, Mr. Frenken started the Weldon Literary Moot Society, which hosts a mock trial each year based on a famous work of fiction. The event raises money for Halifax Humanities 101, a local charity that offers free humanities classes to the community. Their first performance was Homer鈥檚 Odyssey; this year, they presented Mary Shelley鈥檚 Frankenstein.
鈥淚t immediately made a lot of sense: law students, a great piece of literature, in a fundraiser for a great cause,鈥� says Mr. Frenken, originally from Ottawa. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to see how successful it was, and to know that others will take it on after we鈥檙e gone.鈥�
Throughout his law degree, he embodied the Weldon spirit of giving back. He helped review applications and job opportunities with the school鈥檚 Admissions Committee and Career Development Office. Through Pro Bono Students of Canada, he worked with Dal alumna Emma Halpern at the Nova Scotia Barristers鈥� Society on campaigns to increase access to justice and advocate against sexual assault myths. He worked as a research assistant on the Nova Scotia Cyberbullying Task Force.
鈥淭hose sorts of experiences really opened my eyes to the impact the law can have in some pretty different areas. It鈥檚 good to know that you can take your law degree in so many directions.鈥�
Next, Mr. Frenken will article with Norton Rose Canada in Toronto.
Law with a classical twist
Convocation grad profile: Ben Frenken, law
Ryan McNutt - May 25, 2012
Ben Frenken, law grad. (Danny Abriel photo)