Schulich School of Law
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | CANADA B3H 4R2 | +1 (902) 494-3495

News and Events

COMING EVENTS

Apr 18: Exams end, 1st year
Apr 25: Exams end, 2nd and 3rd years
May 21: Victoria Day, University closed
May 25: Spring Convocation  

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Mar 28 Kudos! To our students, and our LSS, who were recognized for their contributions to the university and the greater community at the Dalhousie Student Impact Awards this week:

Best faculty society: Dalhousie Law Students' Society. The terms of the award state that the winning society sets an example for other student societies. The DLSS was praised for its community, social and student engagement activities.

 

Level Chan award: Jonathan Hughes. Awarded to the student who has made the most outstanding contribution to student advocacy and academic justice, and was given in recognition of his work with the Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service.


Student activist award: Alayna Kolodziechuk, for her commitment to social justice issues, and leadership by example. [See related stories in Dal News: Dal students take up The March, Bringing the law alive, Taking human tragedy to the stage]


Faculty of Law leadership award: Julie Sobowale was selected as the recipient of the award given to students from each faculty who have good academic standing and exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline. Runners-up were Alayna Kolodziechuk and Roslyn Chambers.


Gold D's: Lauren Kristjanson, Duncan Taylor and Dustin Griffin, in recognition of an elite level of involvement in campus life over their university careers.

 

Dustin Griffin was also nominated as top DSU council member, and Zeynep Husresoglu was nominated for the Green Award for improving awareness of environmental and sustainability issues.

 

Congratulations to the LSS and its executive, and to all individual winners, nominees, and runners-up!

Apr 4 -  Mini Law School: Professor Geoffrey Loomer on "Buried Treasure: The Use and Abuse of Tax Havens." Free to the public, 7 - 8:30 pm, room 105

Mar 26 In memoriam Our deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Peter Underwood ('80) Read a tribute to Peter in the Globe's "Lives Lived"

Mar 23 - Health Law Seminar, Professors Jennifer Llewellyn and Jocelyn Downie on "Being Relational: Relational Theory and Health Law & Policy." 12-1:30 pm, room 104

Mar 22 - Celebration of Teaching, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Atrium

Mar 22 Professor Brent Cotter appointed inaugural Schulich Distinguished Visiting Scholar

Dean Kim Brooks is delighted to announce that Professor Brent Cotter, QC, will return to the Schulich School of Law in 2012-13 as the inaugural Schulich Distinguished Visiting Scholar.

Professor Cotter brings an impressive record of scholarly achievement - particularly in the areas of Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility - that will enrich the intellectual life of the Schulich School of Law. As the Distinguished Visiting Scholar, he will also offer a special topic course in Sports Law.

News profile... [pdf]

Mar 13 Kudos! Dean Kim Brooks is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2012 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service is David Wallace ('71) of New Glasgow, NS. The award will be presented to Mr Wallace at the Annual Law Alumni Reunion Dinner on September 28. We hope that you will join us in congratulating Mr Wallace at the reunion. If you would like to send well wishes or congratulations in the meantime, he can be reached at dwallace@macmacmac.ns.ca

Mar 7 - Mini Law School: Professor Jocelyn Downie: "Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide." Free to the public, 7 - 8:30 pm, room 105

Mar 2 - ACTIONS WITH CLASS: Atlantic Class Action Symposium @ Schulich School of Law, 6061 University Avenue, room 204

Mar 2 - Health Law Seminar, The Honourable  Justice Stephen Goudge, Court of Appeal for Ontario: "Medical Science in the Courtroom: Lessons from Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology." 12-1:30 pm, room 104

Feb 15 - Mini Law School: Professor Richard Devlin: "The Virtuous Lawyer: A Short Lecture ... with a Long Appendix." Free to the public, 7 - 8:30 pm, room 105

Feb 10 - Health Law Seminar, Professor Joan Gilmour, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University: Ending Life-Sustaining Treatment for Children: Decision-Making When Health Providers and Parents/Patients Disagree." 12-1:30 pm, room 105

Feb 9 In memoriam Our deep condolences to the friends and family of Senator Fred Dickson ('62)

Feb 6 In memoriam Our deep condolences to the friends and family of Patricia Coolen ('75)

Feb 1 Kudos! Pamela Goulding, QC ('85) appointed judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador

Feb 1 - Mini Law School: Professor David Blaikie: "Avoiding Courts & Resolving Conflicts: Alternative Dispute Resolution." Free to the public, 7 - 8:30 pm, room 105

Jan 27 - Health Law Seminar, Professor Katherine Fierlbeck, Department of Political Science: "Rethinking Health Care Federalism: Could the European Model Work in Canada?" 12-1:30 pm, room 104

Jan 24 In memoriam Our deep condolences to the friends and family of Roderick Chisholm, QC ('52)

Jan 18 - Mini Law School: Professor Elaine Gibson: "Who the Heck Owns My Health Information?" Free to the public, 7 - 8:30 pm, room 105

Jan 12 Kudos! David Shannon ('91) appointed new director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

Jan 12 In memoriam Our deep condolences to the friends and family of Alan Chandler ('67)

Jan 6 - Law Hour: 12 pm, room 105: Catherine McKenna, Director - Canadian Lawyers Abroad; also CDO Fridays: 12 - 1:30, room 204

Jan 4 Kudos! Warm congratulations to Mr Seymour Schulich on his promotion to the rank of Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his "transformational philanthropy in support of our education and health care institutions" and also to Mary Margaret Hetherington ('63) appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her "pioneering achievements as a woman in law and for her work in northern communities"


Mr Seymour Schulich (Danny Abriel Photo)

Jan 4 In memoriam Our deep condolences to the friends and family of Walter Struan Robertson ('53) (Chronicle Herald and Dignity Memorial)

Jan 3 Happy New Year! Classes begin today

Jan 1 Kudos! George Ash ('05) and Robert Miedema ('05) named partners at BoyneClarke LLP

Dec 22 Kudos! Former Dean, Professor Phillip Saunders ('84), Sir Graham Day ('56), John Plowman ('74), William Delaney ('77), Vincent Gillis ('82), Larry Stordy ('84), Karen Oldfield ('85), Tony Tam ('85), John McKiggan ('89), and LouAnn Chiasson ('91) appointed QC by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ross Landry

Dec 20 Kudos! NS Finance Minister Graham Steele appoints Professor Sarah Bradley as new chair of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission

Dec 20 Kudos! Dr Brian Flemming ('62) CM, QC joins McInnes Cooper as Counsel

Dec 20 Kudos! Lexpert's 2011 Stars on the Rise names Aaron Arun Dhir ('99) Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto; Richard Kirby ('02) Managing Partner, Felsky Flynn LLP, Edmonton; Trevor Lawson ('98), Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Toronto; Kristin Taylor ('99) General Counsel, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto; and John Wilkin ('97) Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Torontoin their Leading Lawyers Under 40 listing. We celebrate their breadth and depth and are proud to count these talented professionals as alumni!

Good luck to everyone writing exams!

Dec 21 Second and third year exams end

Dec 19 First year exams end

Dec 8 Exams begin, all years

Dec 6 Last day of classes, all years

 

Nov 21 Missed the 2nd Annual Innis Christie Lecture? Listen here...

 

Nov 16 Kudos! Peter Dostal ('07) appointed Crown attorney in the special prosecutions section of the Public Prosecution Service

 

Nov 14 In memoriam: Our deep condolences to the Stratton family on the passing of former New Brunswick Chief Justice, The Honourable Stuart Stratton, QC ('53)

 

Nov 13 Kudos! Lee Anne MacLeod-Archer ('91)recognized by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Publication


Kudos! Best Lawyers names Schulich Law grads in their "2012 Lawyers of the Year" listing:

  • Clarence Beckett QC ('71) – Insurance Law
  • Julia Cornish QC ('83) – Family Law
  • David Coles QC ('84) – Defamation and Media Law
  • Michael Dunphy QC ('81) – Construction Law
  • Paul Festeryga (LLM '87) – Tax Law
  • Robert Grant QC ('80) – Energy Regulatory Law
  • David Henley (LLM '03) – Maritime Law
  • Carl Holm QC ('68) – Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
  • Brian Johnston QC ('80) – Labour and Employment Law
  • George MacDonald QC ('70) – Bet-The-Company Litigation
  • Joseph MacDonald QC ('66) – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Timothy Matthews QC ('76) – Trusts and Estates
  • David Miller QC ('73) – Corporate and Commercial Litigation
  • Paul Murphy QC ('66) – Real Estate
  • Scott Norton QC ('83) – Personal Injury Litigation
  • S Bruce Outhouse QC ('71) – Legal Malpractice Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • F Van W Penick QC ('76) – Natural Resources Law
  • Richard Rafuse QC ('70) – Banking Law
  • Charles Reagh ('83) – Corporate Law

Nov 4 Kudos! Alumni named to Order of Canada:

  • David Shannon ('91) made a Member of the Order of Canada. David is a champion of the rights of people living with disabilities. After suffering a spinal cord injury at the age of 18, he devoted his legal career to promoting disability rights and raising awareness of accessibility issues. He has influenced policy-makers in shaping legislation that has removed barriers and improved the lives of individuals living with disabilities. David Shannon will become a Member of The Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadians with disabilities and human rights.
  • Dr Viola Robinson ('98) made an Officer of the Order of Canada. A role model and an inspirational leader, Viola has advanced the rights of First Nations peoples across Canada. She was instrumental in negotiating a process for the implementation of governance and treaty rights for Mi’kmaq communities in Nova Scotia, and has worked to end discrimination against Aboriginal women nationally. As well, her commitment to fostering a just and inclusive society guided her work as a member of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Nov 4 2nd Annual Innis Christie Lecture in Labour & Employment Law, "Why the Right-Freedom Distinction Matters to Labour Lawyers", Professor Brian Langille, Innis Christie Visiting Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Nov 1 - 8 Intensive Short Course in Labour & Employment Law: "Current Issues in Labour & Employment Law", Professor Brian Langille, Innis Christie Visiting Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Oct 28  Health Law Seminar, "Implications of the Rx Revolution": Neil Mackinnon, U of Arizona

Oct 27 Visiting Faculty Seminar: Richard Elliot - Aids Action Network

Oct 26 Mini Law Lecture Series: Diana Ginn

Oct 26 - 29 Atlantic National Event - Truth and Reconciliation Commission [more: trc.ca]

Oct 25 Kudos! To Ryan O'Leary, winner of the Sir John A Mactaggart Essay Prize in Environmental Law for his paper "Protecting the Arctic Marine Environment: The Limits of Article 234 and The Need for Multilateral Approaches"

Oct 25 Public opening reception: Where are the Children?

Oct 20 - 22 Dalhousie Homecoming Weekend

Oct 19 Kudos! Kim Pate ('84) recognized with GG award for her advocacy work.

Oct 15 Fall Convocation - Law

Oct 12 Kudos! To the newest inductees into the Order of Nova Scotia: Sir Graham Day ('56), Joseph Benjamin Marshall ('93)

Oct 10 Thanksgiving Day. University Closed.

Oct 8 Kudos! To Bernie Miller ('88), Danny Graham, QC ('88), and Leslie Hickman of the McInnes Cooper Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) Team on being awarded the 2011 Zenith CSR Award for Innovation. The McInnes Cooper CSR program focuses on three areas: Community Engagement, Environmental Sustainability and Pro Bono Services.

 

Oct 8 Kudos! Ian Breneman ('09), Leah Grimmer ('10), Sean Kelly ('10), Lana

MacLellan ('10), Tipper McEwan ('10), Nicole McKenna ('10), Mac Reardon ('09), and Andrea Shakespeare ('10) join the Stewart McKelvey team.

Oct 4 - Nov 4 Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools. An archival photo exhibition exploring the history and legacy of Canada's Residential Schools

Sept 30 Kudos! The Honourable Michael Wood, QC ('82) appointed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court

Sept 27 Kudos! Justice Minister Ross Landry announces former provincial Crown attorney Ron MacDonald ('84) as the first director of the province's Serious Incident Response Team. The new agency will investigate allegations of police misconduct in Nova Scotia.

Sept 27 In the news: Brian Flemming in the Globe and Mail on Canada/US border agreements.

 

Sept 26 In the news: Assistant Dean Sarah Kirby (Student Services) weighs in with Lexpert on the many career options and benefits that come from a legal education.

Sept 26 Kudos! Andrew O’Blenis ('09) appointed Crown attorney in the Yarmouth office of the Public Prosecution Service. In law school, Mr O’Blenis was a student at law with Dalhousie Legal Aid and worked with Legal Links, a community outreach program through Dalhousie Legal Aid providing on-the-spot legal advice in Halifax Regional Municipality community centres.

Sept 26 Kudos! Diana Dalton ('79) appointed Deputy Minister of Natural Resources with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Sept 23 We are enormously pleased to celebrate the establishment of the MacBain Chair in Health Law & Policy with Dr John McCall MacBain, his daughter Alexandra, and many esteemed friends of the Schulich School of Law today in the atrium. This $3 million gift, given in support of Dalhousie's Bold Ambitions Campaign, is named in honour of Dr McCall MacBain's late father, MP Al MacBain (LLB '51) and positions the Health Law Institute to take an leadership role in areas of critical public health debate. [more...]

Dr John McCall MacBain (Photo: Danny Abriel)

Sept 12 First year classes start this week.

 

Sept 8 Osler Lecture (room 104), "Diversity in the International Regulation of Financial Institutions: Reforming the Basel Accords" by Professor Roberta Romano, Yale Law School

 

Sept 6 Welcome (and welcome back) to the Schulich School of Law! Second and third year classes start this week.

 

Aug 15 We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Kirby has joined us as the new Assistant Dean, Student Services. Students have been strong advocates for enhanced career support services and we are working hard to be on the ground with new initiatives this year.

Sarah Kirby brings a wealth of practice experience in commercial litigation and maritime law (did you know she has been named one of "The Best Lawyers in Canada" for Maritime Law several years running?) to her new portfolio as Assistant Dean, as well as extensive connections with the legal community. She looks forward to joining the Career Development Office and helping students work towards a fulfilling career in law reflective of their values, goals, and talents.

 

Aug 15 4:45-6 pm, 1660 Hollis Street - Join The Osgoode Society and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society for the launch of Professor Girard's new book: Lawyers and Legal Culture in British North America: Beamish Murdoch of Halifax

Aug 12-14 Alumni Reunion Weekend, hosted in concert with the Canadian Bar Association’s 2011 Legal Conference 

Aug 2 Kudos! Nova Scotia Crown attorney Paul Scovil ('82) appointed as a judge in the family and provincial courts

July 29 Kudos! To Professor McConnell on the release of her new book: The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006: A Legal Primer to an Emerging International Regime, published by Martinus Nijhoff

July 29 Kudos! Joshua Nodelman has won the 2011 Ocean Yearbook Student Prize for his paper "Admiralty Law, the Law of the Sea Convention, and the Material Culture of Historical Shipwrecks," which will be published in the next Ocean Yearbook

July 21 In memoriam: Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the Honourable Justice Julius Isaac (LLD '04). He was a distinguished jurist whose leadership and public service made an important contribution to the administration of justice in Canada, and to the fabric of Canadian society

July 20 Vote for Emma! Please help us celebrate the work of Emma Halpern ('06) by recognizing her as one of Chatelaine's 2011 Women of the Year: cast your vote

July 20 Kudos! Mark Gouthro ('07) appointed Crown attorney for Nova Scotia in Sydney

July 15 Professor Chircop, Director of the Marine and Environmental Law Institute, and Professor VanderZwaag, Canada Research Chair in Ocean Law and Governance, talk with Dal News about the uncharted political and legal waters of a more accessible Arctic

July 13 Kudos! Scott Morrison ('08) appointed Crown attorney for Nova Scotia in Yarmouth

July 1 Kudos! Aboriginal leader Viola Robinson ('98) promoted to an Officer of the Order of Canada

June 15 We're pleased to welcome more than 500 delegates from across the globe to Halifax for the 14th World Conference of the International Institute for Restorative Practices, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Community University Research Alliance (NSRJ-CURA), which finds its home with us.The success of Nova Scotia's restorative justice program (one of the best in the world, with an enviable 90 per cent success rate) will be one of the featured topics at the conference.

June 1 In memoriam: Our deep condolences to the family of Gordon Coles, QC ('52). Active in public and community service, Gordon was an internationally recognized expert in constitutional law, participating as Counsel and Advisor for Nova Scotia in what eventually became the Constitution Act,1982 (and with it, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) 

May 28 Schulich students summering at BoyneClarke contribute to community building through the firm's unique summer student program

May 27 Kudos to our grads -- the Class of 2011!

May 25 Education Minister Ramona Jennex announces that Professor Wayne MacKay will chair the province's Cyberbullying Task Force

May 20 Kudos! to Professor Graham Reynolds, selected as a 2011 Trudeau Scholar. Professor Reynolds' doctoral work at the University of Oxford will weigh the impact of new copyright laws on the balance between the rights of copyright owners and freedom of expression 

May 20 Kudos! to Vanessa LeBlanc (LLB/MPA) on being selected for the  inaugural CFIB and Scotiabank Internship in Public Policy and Entrepreneurship

May 19 Kudos! to Cecilia Engler Palma (LLM) on receiving the Dalhousie University Governor General's Gold Medal for the Humanities and Social Sciences for 2010/2011 for her thesis: "Allocation of Fishing Opportunities in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations: A Legal Analysis in the Light of Equity"

May 12 Kudos! Congratulations to Professor Elaine Craig on receiving the Dalhousie University Doctoral Thesis Award for the Humanities for 2010/2011. This award is the University's equivalent of a gold medal and is one of two yearly awards: one in the humanities and one in the sciences

May 11 Kudos! William Rand ('66) among eight to be honoured at Convocation

May 10 Kudos! The NSBS announces Robert MacKeigan QC ('69) to receive the 2011 Distinguished Service Award

May 5 Kudos! To all our alum who ran for office and all those who offer public service. Special congrats to: Sean Casey QC ('88), Linda Duncan (LLM '98), Megan Leslie ('04), Peter MacKay ('90), Elizabeth May ('83) and Geoff Regan ('83) who were elected (or re-elected) in their ridings

May 4 Kudos! Libby Burnham ('63) named Acadia University's new Chancellor. A woman of firsts, Libby was the first woman graduate of Acadia to pursue a law degree, the first woman President of Sodales (which, at the time, was an all-male debating society at Dalhousie Law School), New Brunswick’s first female barrister, and will be Acadia's first woman Chancellor. Libby is also the 2001 recipient of the Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service. Our best congratulations, Libby!

May 3 Kudos! Seymour Schulich named Order of the Business Hall of Fame Companion

May 3 Kudos! Doctoral student, Catherine Sykes, awarded the President's Award and the Izaak Walton Killam Predoctoral Scholarship. Katie is working with Professor Vaughan Black on issues related to animals and the law

May 2 In memoriam
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Robert Carmichael ('82). Rob was a partner of Cox & Palmer in Halifax and used his considerable expertise to teach oil and gas law at the law school in association with the Marine & Environmental Law Institute (MELAW)

Apr 28 Kudos!
Our best wishes to William MacNeil ('84) on his appointment as Dean of Law and Head of School of the Griffith Law School, Queensland, Australia. Bill's initial term is for two years, renewable for another two, at one of Australia's most innovative research universities

Apr 27 Kudos!
Pamela Williams ('84) and James Williams ('72) appointed associate chief judges for Nova Scotia

Apr 23 Kudos!
Wylie Spicer, QC ('75) appointed to the Board of Directors of Music Nova Scotia

Apr 16 In memoriam
The Law School mourns the passing of former Saskatchewan Premier Allan Blakeney ('47), inspirational public servant and nation-builder. We offer our deepest sympathies to the Blakeney family. Read some of the many tributes and comments that have poured in: Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, CBC, Chronicle Herald, Global News, CTV, The Star Phoenix, Globe and Mail

Apr 13 Kudos! Warren Zimmer ('74) and Raymond Morse ('77) appointed to the family and provincial courts of Nova Scotia

Apr 4 How has the recession changed the legal profession? Professors Sarah Bradley and Associate Dean Michael Deturbide weigh in on the issue in The Lawyers Weekly: 'After the downturn'

Mar 29 Kudos! Robert Kennedy ('08) appointed Crown attorney in Public Prosecution Service

Mar 29 Dalhousie officially launches BOLD AMBITIONS campaign

Mar 28 The Dalhousie Difference Capital Campaign: Endowing a solid foundation for Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

Mar 25 Take a bow, Mr Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken ('71) retires as the House of Commons' longest-serving Speaker. Read about his experience at Dal in the latest issue of Hearsay

Mar 25 Professor Rollie Thompson speaks with the Globe & Mail in 'The many faces of family law'

Mar 24 Esteemed colleague and former Dean, Professor Dawn Russell, named first female president of St Thomas University! We wish Professor Russell the very best as she begins her five-year term on July 1

Mar 18 New blog for criminal law
Professor Rob Currie writes from a Canadian and international perspective in International and Transnational Criminal Law 

Mar 10 Schulich alum appointed Dean
Our warmest congratulations to Dr Ian Holloway QC ('85) on his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary! Dr Holloway begins his five-year term as Dean on July 1.

Mar 7 Big win in TO for Dal's Corporate Securities Moot Team
Congrats to James Bishop, Jennifer Campbell, Peter Newman, David Ross and their coach, Professor Sarah Bradley!

Mar 7 Recently cited
Lieutenant Mike Madden ('10), inaugural holder of the Cowan Internship, cited by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

Mar 3 The game changer
James Spurr ('80) speaks to the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association about spearheading the transformational $6.2B Muskrat Falls energy deal and the importance of giving back

Feb 27 Kudos!
Professor Rollie Thompson, Shawna Hoyte ('94), and 11 other Schulich alumni -- Lynn Connors ('85), Timothy Daley ('91), Cathy Dalziel ('80), Premier Darrell Dexter ('87), Karen Hudson ('85), Sean Layden ('91), Ian MacLean ('78), Judith McPhee ('84), David Muise ('74), Roderick (Rory) Rogers ('88), Fae Shaw ('83) -- named Queen’s Counsel