'I'm diving right in' says Bogoroch's Alexandria Ruigrok

Student-at-law on finding her niche and the benefits of articling with a boutique litigation firm

'I'm diving right in' says Bogoroch's Alexandria Ruigrok
Alexandria Ruigrok, student-at-law, Bogoroch & Associates LLP

This article was produced in partnership with Bogoroch & Associates LLP.

Coming from a background in biomedical science, Alexandria Ruigrok’s first foray into the world of law was a business law elective in her final year of undergrad. From the course material to the instructors to the critical and creative thinking that the legal side of the equation demanded, Ruigrok knew there was no going back.

“In science, things are black and white and there’s very little room for argument — there were a lot of multiple-choice tests in my undergrad — but in law, the person with the most convincing argument can often win the day,” Ruigrok says. “If you’re a good advocate, you see the tangible benefits to your clients right away.”

In law school at Queen’s University, Ruigrok gravitated towards civil litigation. Always one to find arguments invigorating, she enjoyed the challenge of making her case while also seeking a career path where her science background would be an asset. When Ruigrok was introduced to the field of medical and hospital malpractice, she realized she had discovered the niche practice area she’d been looking for.  

The benefits of articling at a boutique litigation firm

Ruigrok decided she wanted to article with a firm that focused on plaintiff-side medical malpractice in a meaningful way. She was thrilled to be brought onboard as a student with Bogoroch & Associates LLP, one of the few firms Canada with a depth of expertise in medical and hospital malpractice litigation.

At Bogoroch & Associates, a boutique firm with a reputation for legal expertise and exceptional client service, Ruigrok found herself immediately gaining hands-on experience with the close-knit team of highly regarded lawyers who practice in this area.  She works on files through various steps of the litigation process, from drafting a claim to preparing examinations for discovery outlines or portions of mediation memoranda. This proactive approach to articling allows her to gain practical experience in a very complex practice area.

“I’m diving right in. I’ve already been given opportunities - like speaking to motions in my first few months - which is excellent for my development,” Ruigrok notes. “It was important to me to article with a firm that’s doing the kind of work I’m hoping to pursue in the long term, and that’s what I’ve found at Bogoroch.”

Ruigrok’s strategy is to always say yes, ask thoughtful questions, and ultimately soak up as much as she can.  She is honoured to often be working closely with the firm’s founder and managing partner, Richard Bogoroch who “believes strongly in access to justice and is an incredible litigator. It’s a privilege to be working with and learning from him and from the other members of the medical malpractice team.”

Stoking passion for the med mal space

Looking back over her experience so far, there are two lessons in particular that stand out to Ruigrok. The first is that you can’t wait for opportunities to be handed to you — you have to seek them out, work hard, and learn from them; the second is to show up with a sense of gratitude every day, because the work makes a real difference in people’s lives.

“It’s easy to be excited to come to work because if we succeed, we make a tangible impact by obtaining much-needed compensation for victims of medical malpractice,” she says, adding that she’s had the opportunity to meet many of Bogoroch’s clients, which is always a special experience.

“It’s one thing to do the legal work behind the scenes, but hearing from clients about the impact our work has on their lives has made my articling experience all the more rewarding.”

Looking ahead, the overall career goals are obvious: become an excellent advocate and litigator. Those ring true for Ruigrok, but she also has some more tailored aspirations.

“The more I incorporate medicine with law and advocacy, the happier I’ll be in the future,” she says. “But the main goal I have for myself is to continue feeling as good about my work as I do right now, whatever form that takes.”