Caleb Veisman

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Cambridge LLP

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After graduating from Exeter, I moved back to Toronto, Canada, and had the opportunity to clerk with a criminal trial lawyer while completing my NCA equivalency exams. It was an incredible way to transition into the Canadian system and stay close to the courtroom while finishing the accreditation process.

I then joined Cambridge LLP in the Toronto office, where I’ve been immersed in commercial litigation and the pace of a busy downtown practice. I’ve had the chance to work on complex construction, business, estates, defamation, and constitutional matters in a deeply involved manner, something I genuinely feel fortunate to be able to experience at this stage of my career.

I’ve since completed one of the Ontario bar exams (the Barristers), and am preparing to sit the final one as I move toward call.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Ironically, my interest in actually practising law didn’t fully crystallize until partway through my studies at Exeter, when I threw myself into mooting, mock trials, and negotiation competitions.

In practice, however, I really enjoy the complicated, technical, and high-pressure nature of the work. That extends to the creativity required to develop litigation, settlement, or pre-litigation strategy. There’s something really engaging about the problems we must deal with on a daily basis, particularly when it leads to a courtroom.

Most importantly are the people I work with. The environment truly makes or breaks the experience. It shapes the quality of the work and your interest in the type of work you choose to pursue, legal or otherwise.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

First-year Representative, Exeter Canadian Law Society; President, Exeter Canadian Law Society, University of Exeter Law Society; Exeter Music Guild, Exeter Rock & Metal Society; Campus Bands; Treasurer, Exeter Israeli and Zionist Society; Exeter Jewish Society; University of Exeter Wine Society.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Academically, I loved Criminal Law and Evidence. Intellectual Property and Employment Law was another favourite. I found the professors and the subject matter really engaging.

Another rewarding experience was working in the pro bono clinic, where I assisted with employment and landlord-tenant matters.

The biggest academic highlight was competing in moots at LSE and negotiations in London.

Outside of school, being part of a band that toured around the UK and recorded an EP was an equal highlight.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

What I enjoyed most about studying at Exeter was the environment itself. The campus was genuinely beautiful and felt self-contained in a way that gave me space to grow. It felt like a blank canvas place where I could discover a lot, both academically and personally.

Most importantly, there were the people and connections.

I met some incredible individuals there who challenged me, supported me, and ultimately became close friends.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose to study at Exeter because it’s a well-regarded law school within a respected university, and I wanted the broader range of opportunities that studying abroad offers.

It’s also in a great location, with a strong academic reputation, and I understood there was a smaller, close-knit community of Exeter law graduates back home.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

The most useful foundation has been a strong understanding of the common law. That framework still shapes how I approach problems, structure arguments, and assess risk.

Just as important were the softer skills. Mooting, mock trials, and negotiations trained me to think on my feet, speak clearly under pressure, and anticipate opposing arguments. Networking and leadership roles built confidence and professional awareness early on.

Analytical thinking and disciplined legal writing were heavily ingrained at university. Learning to break down complex facts, identify the real issue, and communicate it clearly has been directly transferable to practice.

Beyond academics, my co- and extracurricular experiences were just as valuable. They were genuinely great experiences, but they also helped me stand out in a competitive job market.

More importantly, they built social confidence.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Start building real relationships early. Not transactional networking, but genuine conversations with people who are doing the work you think you want to do. That compound effect matters more than you realize.

Go into every opportunity with an unusual mix of traits: the confidence to back yourself, the humility to know you know very little, and the curiosity to ask both great and dumb questions whenever you can.

Don’t over-script your path. It probably won’t unfold the way you imagine, and I mean that in the best way.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to complete my Articles and finish my Licensing Exams by June 2026, with the goal of being called to the Bar of Ontario as a Barrister and Solicitor later that year.

After that, I’m looking forward to fully immersing myself in practice. More than anything, I hope to be doing work that I genuinely enjoy, building a career that is fulfilling.