How it started
We met at a house party our very first week of law school and spent two years passing each other in the halls. As we entered our final year of school, we were brought together to co-lead our school’s pro bono program. Our re-introduction to each other took place during a four hour train ride. Alone in the train car, we chatted non-stop as the train glided along the tracks. Ever since this fateful train ride, we’ve been navigating life and the legal profession together, our way. Join us as we step off the tracks and ask, “what does it look like to do law differently, and what does that even mean?”
Erin O’Rourke
Piper Riley Thompson
Erin grew up and started her own law firm on Treaty 3 territory (St. Catharines, Ontario). Erin is a lifelong advocate of improving access to justice and prides herself on providing fair and competent legal advice.
After getting called to the Ontario bar in June 2020, Erin started her firm Erin O’Rourke Law. She has built her practice around authentic and affordable legal services and focuses on employment, immigration, litigation and tenancy matters.
Erin has a wide range of legal experiences from working with clients at the Legal Assistance of Windsor to policy work at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to running her own firm.
Outside of the office, Erin enjoys spending time in nature enjoying a delicious cup of coffee and a great view; hiking, running or practicing yoga; and camping and traveling to new places to broaden her horizons.
Piper lives, works, and plays on Treaty 7 territory (Calgary, Alberta). She previously practiced human rights and Indigenous law in Manitoba. In September 2022, she retired her license to practice and now works as the Senior Career Advisor for law students at The University of Calgary Faculty of Law.
After failing the Ontario lawyer licensing exams, Piper used her experience to launch Ontario Bar Exam Coach. She works with licensing candidates to elevate their bar prep strategies, dramatically shorten their learning curve, and decrease the stress of preparing for the licensing exams.
Piper has worked at every level of government, served extensively on boards and committees, crafted policy, worked in sales at a luxury brand, and solved complex problems during her articles at a full-service firm.
Outside of the legal profession, you can find Piper at a spin class or exploring her new city.