 Lang
By David Karp
Meagan Lang has good reason to be proud. She completed the Vancouver International Marathon—all 42.2 kilometres of it—in just over four hours.
“For me, that’s really great,” she says. “That’s six minutes a kilometer for 42 kilometres. I didn’t even stop once.”
Lang, who graduated from UVic in November, found time to train for the May 4 race while clerking with the BC Court of Appeal. Running isn’t the 28-year-old’s only talent—she’s receiving the Law Society of BC Gold Medal at this month’s convocation ceremonies as the UVic law grad with the highest GPA.
“I’m thrilled,” Lang says. “I really enjoyed law school. One of the nice things about UVic is that it’s such a small school, so the faculty is very involved.”
It’s clear that when Lang applies herself to something, she gets results. At UVic, she took advantage of the school’s co-op education program and moots. She also spent four months at the Law Centre, where UVic law students provide free legal advice to people who don’t qualify for legal aid.
“I really learn more by doing than just hearing,” Lang says. “With co-op, when you go back after working, you’re sitting in class and you actually know how to apply things more.”
Lang became interested in law after graduating from the University of Calgary with a history degree. A school project on an Aboriginal treaty translated into a research job with Calgary law firm Rath & Company, where Lang spent a year-and-a-half researching treaty rights and traveling up north to consult with Aboriginal people.
“It gave me an idea about what lawyers actually do, and I thought maybe I’d want to go to law school,” Lang recalls.
After she finishes clerking with the Court of Appeal this summer, Lang is off on a trip to Israel and Jordan before beginning articling at Vancouver’s Bull, Housser & Tupper in September. She wants to develop her litigation skills and gain experience in the courtroom.
But while she’s excited about her future in law, she’s more lukewarm on her career as a marathoner.
“I don’t think I’ll do it again,” Lang admits. “I find running is such a great stress reliever, but all this pavement is hard on your knees.”
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