Bio
Kate Finlayson is an articling student in Gowling WLG’s Hamilton office, where she previously was a summer student.
Kate earned her juris doctor cum laude from the University of Ottawa in 2025. Kate’s favourite course in law school was Torts. During her studies, she served as a judicial intern at the Superior Court of Justice in Brampton. She has also acted as an assistant editor for the Ottawa Law Review and as a peer mentor.
Before law school, Kate obtained a bachelor of arts and a master of arts in history at Queen’s University. At Queen’s, she was passionate about connecting the undergraduate student body to the broader community in Kingston, earning her notable awards in community leadership. Kate’s master’s thesis focused on the political, social and cultural climate surrounding the Women’s Movement in 19th-century Britain. Her research thesis was awarded a coveted scholarship from the Government of Canada.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Kate has a deep-rooted understanding of the importance of community and connection. Her goal is to build strong and meaningful relationships with clients that last. Her passion for the community has nurtured her interest in the areas of commercial, construction and real estate law, a testament to her commitment to serving and understanding the needs of the community. Kate is also interested in litigation, particularly constitutional litigation and professional negligence actions.
Outside the Firm, Kate enjoys painting, sculpting, walking along Locke Street South and James Street North, and spending time with her dog, Olive.