2024 Law School Gold Medalist: Indi Smart

Each year the Law Society of British Columbia Gold Medal is awarded to the graduate with the highest cumulative grade point average in the graduating class of JD and JD/JID students. This year’s recipient is Indi Smart.

Before starting Law School at UVic, Smart completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of British Columbia, where she graduated as the Head of Class with High Distinction.

Smart gained practical legal experience through a variety of co-op placements and work roles. As a co-op student at the Department of Justice, she worked in both the Business and Regulatory branch and the Criminal Law and International Assistance branch. During her time as a co-op student with the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General, Smart worked on projects to maintain and improve BC’s family law system while gaining experience researching case law, policy, legislation, and their intersection.

Smart’s impact extends far beyond her academic successes. Actively engaged with the community, Smart has served as a Practicum Student at Rise Women’s Legal Centre and at Kitsilano Neighborhood House. Her compassionate approach, trauma-informed care, and dedication to supporting vulnerable populations exemplify her dedication to advocacy. Furthering her commitment, Smart also worked with the Victoria Cool Aid Society as a Mental Health Support Worker, where she assisted clients experiencing homelessness and provided crisis intervention.

In September, Smart will be clerking at the B.C. Court of Appeals before articling with the B.C. Prosecution Service.