Class of: 2015
College: York University - Osgoode Hall Law School; University of Toronto
Occupation: Litigation Associate
Current City: Toronto, Canada
Long before she ever stepped into a courtroom, Darby Heino ’15 was already setting records, balancing passions, and building community. A proud “lifer” who attended ASD from K1 through Grade 12, Darby distinguished herself in all areas of student life. She sprinted down the track, lit up the stage in school musicals, and brought spirit and leadership to various student organizations. Fiercely competitive but always team-minded, Darby combined curiosity, discipline, and compassion - a mix that would come to define her career in law and beyond.
“I still carry so many lessons from my time at ASD,” Darby reflects.
“It was a place that taught me the value of community, collaboration, and excellence. You see it in how successful so many of our alumni are, not just professionally, but in how they support others.”
Darby’s athletic legacy is still visible today. Her high jump record from 2014 remains unbroken, a quiet tribute to the six-year stretch during which ASD’s JV and Varsity girls’ track teams were virtually unbeatable. But for her, the real pride lies in the bonds that were built along the way. “The wins mattered, of course, but it was the team that made it unforgettable. We pushed each other, believed in each other, and learned how to show up for ourselves and each other.”
That mindset carried her into her next chapter after graduating from ASD: earning an Honours Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto, followed by a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. As a newcomer to Canada and the first in her family to pursue law, Darby had to navigate unfamiliar systems without a roadmap. “There was no clear guidebook, no one-stop answer to the question I kept getting asked: ‘So… how do you actually become a lawyer in Canada?’”
So she wrote it herself.
Recognizing how challenging it can be to navigate Canada’s legal system without guidance, Darby decided to document everything she had learned along the way. The result was How to Become a Lawyer in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide, a practical resource she created to support others who might be starting from the same place she once did.
Currently, Darby is a Litigation Associate practicing in Toronto, focusing on civil and commercial defense work. She’s represented clients before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and continues to expand her impact not only through her legal practice but also through her commitment to mentorship and legal access. “For me, success is about creating clarity and opening doors for others. The title, the job, the cases - they matter. But being a resource, being part of someone else’s journey, that’s what’s most fulfilling.”
Despite her busy professional life, Darby has stayed closely connected to the ASD community. Each year, she helps organize the Michelle Pazos Track and Field Invitational, an event held in memory of her best friend, whom she met at ASD in Grade 5. “It’s a way to honor her legacy and give back to the place that brought us together. ASD was our foundation, and that friendship shaped so much of who I am.”
When asked what advice she’d offer to current ASD students, Darby doesn’t hesitate.
“Dream big, work hard, but don’t forget to nurture your friendships. The people you sit next to in class today might be your future colleagues, your support network, or even your chosen family. Hold onto that.”
