By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Paige Donaldson’s first experience with the law was at age 13, giving an emotional victim impact statement in the Ontario Superior Court at the sentencing of a man who murdered her mother.
“From a young age, I was drawn to the intricacies of the criminal justice system,” said Donaldson, now a 2L at Detroit Mercy Law School. “My interest began at 13 when I attended the sentencing of the person who tragically took my mother’s life. Originally, I thought my path would lead me to law enforcement because I believed that was where I could make the most difference. However, I hadn’t considered a career in law, largely because I had no real understanding of what lawyers actually did.”
Donaldson, who hails from the city of Scarborough east of Toronto, has since discovered she is following in the footsteps of her late mother, who had worked as a law clerk at a major firm in Toronto.
Donaldson launched her academic trajectory at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, earning a degree in sociology and criminology, focusing on systemic inequities in the criminal justice system, particularly the impact on Indigenous and marginalized communities in Canada.
“Deciding on an undergraduate major was a challenge because I wanted to keep my options open. However, once I discovered sociology and its insights into people and society, I was hooked —it was fascinating to learn why society functions the way it does,” she said. “But I soon found myself craving more specific knowledge, particularly about how crime influences society. This led me to fall in love with criminology, which filled the gaps I felt sociology left open. So, I decided to add criminology as my minor to delve deeper into these dynamics.”
After being diagnosed with ADHD in her third year, her grades improved significantly, leading her father to suggest law school as a new avenue.
“After discussing it with professors and extensive online research, I realized law always was my calling,” she said.
Donaldson had attended university on a full scholarship awarded to students who have faced and overcome adversity, and this was extended to her law studies.
As a first-generation law student with no connections in the legal field, Donaldson was initially drawn to U.S. law, as more dynamic and widely discussed compared to Canadian law, and applied to several programs in the U.S.
The Dual JD program at UDM Law and Windsor Faculty of Law stood out as the perfect option, allowing her to stay close to home while exploring both legal systems; and maintaining her full tuition scholarship, which required her to attend a Canadian university.
What she most enjoys about the Dual JD program is the sense of community.
“I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support from my Dual JD classmates — we genuinely care about and uplift each other,” she said. “Moreover, UDM's location in the heart of downtown Detroit showcases the warmth of Detroiters. I can't walk down the street without someone greeting me, wishing me a nice day, or blessing me.”
Donaldson has clerked at the Michigan Department of Attorney General since last May.
“It's been an incredible opportunity for real, in-court experience that’s quite rare for a 2L student,” she said. “The team in the Criminal Trials and Appeals Division is phenomenal. They’re dedicated public servants, and I deeply admire their commitment. As a Canadian and somewhat of an outsider, they’ve been incredibly welcoming, offering support and guidance throughout my time there.
Donaldson served as interim prosecutor in Luce County, in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, where she was in court daily and had prosecutorial discretion, albeit supervised. She is now the interim prosecutor in Ontonagon County, also in the U.P., continuing to gain firsthand experience as a practicing attorney.
Eight months as a part-time caseworker for Windsor Community Legal Aid in her 1L year cemented her desire to pursue a career in criminal defense.
“Coming to law school, my primary goal was to make a tangible difference in people's lives,” Donaldson said “At Legal Aid, I had the opportunity to meet and learn about diverse individuals, providing support during some of their most challenging moments. Advocating for those who felt they had no one else to turn to was profoundly rewarding.”
Donaldson believes that starting her student experience with criminal prosecution will ultimately make her a more effective defense attorney.
“Gaining experience on both sides of the courtroom not only broadens my understanding of the legal system but also sharpens my skills in advocating for my clients, ensuring I'm well-prepared to handle any challenge that comes my way,” she said.
Her career goal is to establish the first all-female cross-border criminal defense firm, with the main office in Toronto, and a satellite location in Detroit, focusing on high-profile and high-risk criminal cases. Her firm would specialize in providing legal services to individuals facing criminal charges in Canada or the U.S., particularly for those who are not citizens of the country where they are charged.
Creating an all-women's firm is not just her business goa — it’s a tribute to her late mother and to all women who continue to face professional challenges.
“Throughout my law school journey, I've observed and discussed with female classmates how often our personal and mental wellness takes a backseat to our career aspirations and academic work. Unlike our male counterparts, who seem to find time for personal activities like cooking, going to the gym, or playing video games, many women in my circle feel a constant pressure to do more, struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance,” she said.
While balancing 20 hours of work per week with law school duties leaves little room for extensive community volunteering, Donaldson still finds meaningful ways to contribute.
One of her favorite activities is coaching younger students for various moot competitions.
She participates in UDM student panels to ease the minds of incoming and prospective students, answering questions and sharing insights.
And as a vice president of the University of Windsor’s Student Law Society, Donaldson works with a committee to organize, teach, and facilitate the 1L orientation.
“This role allows me to support my fellow students directly, ensuring their voices are heard and their academic experiences are positive,” she said.
Legal News
Paige Donaldson’s first experience with the law was at age 13, giving an emotional victim impact statement in the Ontario Superior Court at the sentencing of a man who murdered her mother.
“From a young age, I was drawn to the intricacies of the criminal justice system,” said Donaldson, now a 2L at Detroit Mercy Law School. “My interest began at 13 when I attended the sentencing of the person who tragically took my mother’s life. Originally, I thought my path would lead me to law enforcement because I believed that was where I could make the most difference. However, I hadn’t considered a career in law, largely because I had no real understanding of what lawyers actually did.”
Donaldson, who hails from the city of Scarborough east of Toronto, has since discovered she is following in the footsteps of her late mother, who had worked as a law clerk at a major firm in Toronto.
Donaldson launched her academic trajectory at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, earning a degree in sociology and criminology, focusing on systemic inequities in the criminal justice system, particularly the impact on Indigenous and marginalized communities in Canada.
“Deciding on an undergraduate major was a challenge because I wanted to keep my options open. However, once I discovered sociology and its insights into people and society, I was hooked —it was fascinating to learn why society functions the way it does,” she said. “But I soon found myself craving more specific knowledge, particularly about how crime influences society. This led me to fall in love with criminology, which filled the gaps I felt sociology left open. So, I decided to add criminology as my minor to delve deeper into these dynamics.”
After being diagnosed with ADHD in her third year, her grades improved significantly, leading her father to suggest law school as a new avenue.
“After discussing it with professors and extensive online research, I realized law always was my calling,” she said.
Donaldson had attended university on a full scholarship awarded to students who have faced and overcome adversity, and this was extended to her law studies.
As a first-generation law student with no connections in the legal field, Donaldson was initially drawn to U.S. law, as more dynamic and widely discussed compared to Canadian law, and applied to several programs in the U.S.
The Dual JD program at UDM Law and Windsor Faculty of Law stood out as the perfect option, allowing her to stay close to home while exploring both legal systems; and maintaining her full tuition scholarship, which required her to attend a Canadian university.
What she most enjoys about the Dual JD program is the sense of community.
“I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support from my Dual JD classmates — we genuinely care about and uplift each other,” she said. “Moreover, UDM's location in the heart of downtown Detroit showcases the warmth of Detroiters. I can't walk down the street without someone greeting me, wishing me a nice day, or blessing me.”
Donaldson has clerked at the Michigan Department of Attorney General since last May.
“It's been an incredible opportunity for real, in-court experience that’s quite rare for a 2L student,” she said. “The team in the Criminal Trials and Appeals Division is phenomenal. They’re dedicated public servants, and I deeply admire their commitment. As a Canadian and somewhat of an outsider, they’ve been incredibly welcoming, offering support and guidance throughout my time there.
Donaldson served as interim prosecutor in Luce County, in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, where she was in court daily and had prosecutorial discretion, albeit supervised. She is now the interim prosecutor in Ontonagon County, also in the U.P., continuing to gain firsthand experience as a practicing attorney.
Eight months as a part-time caseworker for Windsor Community Legal Aid in her 1L year cemented her desire to pursue a career in criminal defense.
“Coming to law school, my primary goal was to make a tangible difference in people's lives,” Donaldson said “At Legal Aid, I had the opportunity to meet and learn about diverse individuals, providing support during some of their most challenging moments. Advocating for those who felt they had no one else to turn to was profoundly rewarding.”
Donaldson believes that starting her student experience with criminal prosecution will ultimately make her a more effective defense attorney.
“Gaining experience on both sides of the courtroom not only broadens my understanding of the legal system but also sharpens my skills in advocating for my clients, ensuring I'm well-prepared to handle any challenge that comes my way,” she said.
Her career goal is to establish the first all-female cross-border criminal defense firm, with the main office in Toronto, and a satellite location in Detroit, focusing on high-profile and high-risk criminal cases. Her firm would specialize in providing legal services to individuals facing criminal charges in Canada or the U.S., particularly for those who are not citizens of the country where they are charged.
Creating an all-women's firm is not just her business goa — it’s a tribute to her late mother and to all women who continue to face professional challenges.
“Throughout my law school journey, I've observed and discussed with female classmates how often our personal and mental wellness takes a backseat to our career aspirations and academic work. Unlike our male counterparts, who seem to find time for personal activities like cooking, going to the gym, or playing video games, many women in my circle feel a constant pressure to do more, struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance,” she said.
While balancing 20 hours of work per week with law school duties leaves little room for extensive community volunteering, Donaldson still finds meaningful ways to contribute.
One of her favorite activities is coaching younger students for various moot competitions.
She participates in UDM student panels to ease the minds of incoming and prospective students, answering questions and sharing insights.
And as a vice president of the University of Windsor’s Student Law Society, Donaldson works with a committee to organize, teach, and facilitate the 1L orientation.
“This role allows me to support my fellow students directly, ensuring their voices are heard and their academic experiences are positive,” she said.
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