When Eric arrived at York in Grade 11, he jumped with both feet into the welcoming community he found. He became a House head, founded a club that brought guest speakers to the school and attended a student conference on global affairs. He says he was happy to discover that at York “if you’ve got the initiative to do something, no one will stand in your way and people will help you do it. That’s a lesson for life.”

Today Eric is a partner at Kushneryk Morgan LLP, a boutique law firm he co-founded in 2021 that specializes in corporate governance advice and dispute resolution. He remembers an assignment in Mr. Hamilton’s History class that planted the seeds for his career in law. To prepare for a presentation on the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, Eric used original documents to gather evidence and create a coherent narrative. 

“That was one of the projects that made me want to become a lawyer,” says Eric.

After graduating from York, Eric obtained an Economics degree from the University of Toronto and a Law degree from Oxford University. While working at a law firm in London, Eric was seconded to the Bank of England and the litigation and special investigations team of Barclays Bank PLC. He also taught Criminal Law at Oxford University. 

In his current law practice, Eric helps businesses resolve their complex legal disputes. His proactive approach to tackling legal challenges can be traced back to his days at York. That’s where he learned to “roll up your sleeves and dig into things. Don’t be intimidated by a problem, feel your way through it,” says Eric.

Now, it’s Ben’s turn to learn and grow at York. As he engages with outstanding programs, faculty that spark his curiosity and real world problem solving, Eric will be by his side as a proud father and alumnus.

Read more from the 2023/2024 Year in Review here.