Jurists of Robson Hall

In 2022, Dean Richard Jochelson created the honour “Jurist of Robson Hall,” to recognize members of the legal community for their extraordinary service and commitment to the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, be it through teaching or other contributions to Manitoba’s law school. This year’s Jurists were:

• The Honourable Marianne Rivoalen, Chief Justice of Manitoba
• The Honourable Glenn D. Joyal, Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba
• The Honourable Ryan Rolston, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba [LLB/99]
• Andrew Torbiak [JD/15]
• Heather L. Wadsworth [JD/15]

Learn more about the Jurists of Robson Hall on the Faculty of Law website.

Faculty of Law Alumni Awards

The 2024 Faculty of Law Alumni Award recipients: The Honourable Catherine Carlson, Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba [BA/83; LLB/86], Outstanding Alumni Award; and Kevin Sharma [JD/19; LLM/22], Emerging Leader Award

At the annual Spring Reception, the Faculty of Law also presented its 2024 Alumni Awards to two accomplished UM Law graduates in the categories of Outstanding Alumni and Emerging Leader. This year’s recipients were:

• The Honourable Catherine Carlson, Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba [BA/83; LLB/86], Outstanding Alumni Award
• Kevin Sharma [JD/19; LLM/22], Emerging Leader Award

Judge Carlson was presented her award by her colleague, Judge Rolston, whose glowing introduction of the President of the American Judges Association gave valuable insights into her many contributions and achievements that make her an Outstanding Alum of the UM Faculty of Law.

Sharma was introduced by his colleague at the Manitoba Financial Services Agency, Leigh Anne Mercier [LLB/94], who perfectly encapsulated Sharma’s exceptional characteristics of always learning, helping, and giving back to community.

Learn more about these two alumni in the Faculty of Law’s announcement regarding the 2024 Alumni Reward recipients.

Clinical Learning and Supervising Awards

Director of Clinics, Elizabeth McCandless [LLB/07; LLM/20] announced two inaugural awards that celebrate excellence in clinical learning and teaching. The Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence was presented earlier this spring to third-year law student Mary-Charlet Lathlin, who completed an externship with the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre (UMCLC).

The UM Faculty of Law Clinical Supervisor Award was presented to Shasta Benaim [JD/14], a staff lawyer at Legal Help Centre, one of the Faculty’s externship placements.

Manitoba Law Foundation $4.5M grant announced

Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, and Erin Wilcott, Executive Director, Manitoba Law Foundation

Dean Jochelson invited Erin Wilcott, Executive Director of the Manitoba Law Foundation to share the news of three new transformational bursaries created out of a $4.5M grant given to the Faculty.

The bursaries were designed to address systemic barriers in legal education and to support students whose lived experiences have placed them at a disadvantage in pursuing legal education. By prioritizing need and lived experience over conventional academic metrics, these bursaries represent a bold step toward a more inclusive and representative legal profession in Manitoba. Prospective applicants include JD, MHR, LLM, and ITL students who meet the Manitoba residency requirement (as defined by Manitoba Health coverage).

The three bursaries include:

• Truth & Reconciliation Bursary
• Equity & Transformation Bursary
• Northern, Remote & Rural Access to Justice Bursary

The news of the bursaries was announced in the May 14 edition of the Free Press. Prospective applicants are invited to complete a pre-application form between now and July.

Indigenous Law Student and Artist Unveils Inspiring Mural

Indigenous Artist Jessie Canard (2L) with her newly unveiled mural titled “Turtle Island” located at Robson Hall outside the MILSA office.

The last item on the agenda was the introduction of Indigenous artist Jessie Canard (2L) who had recently completed a work of art commissioned by the Faculty of Law and the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association. Located at the foot of Robson Hall’s west stairwell in front of the MILSA office, the work is a mural titled Turtle Island, which depicts the Turtle from the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings. According to the Artist Statement, the mural’s purpose is “to brighten the space and make it feel more welcoming for all those who pass by.”

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Each year, the Spring Reception allows the Faculty of Law the opportunity to celebrate and thank all the practicing professional instructors, volunteers, mentors and coaches who contribute their time, knowledge and effort to educating future members of the legal profession and to helping Manitoba’s law school get the job done.

The new Jurists were: 

• Erin Wilcott, Executive Director of the Manitoba Law Foundation
• Michelle Falk, Executive Director of the Manitoba Bar Association
• Leah Kosokowsky, C.E.O. of the Law Society of Manitoba
• Michael Koppang
• Cy Fien
• Peter Kingsley, K.C.
• Jeffrey Palamar
• Harvey Secter, O.M., C.M., LL.D.
• Ian Scarth
• The Honourable Madam Justice Diana Cameron
• The Honourable Madam Justice Freda Steel

In 2022, Dean Richard Jochelson created the honour “Jurist of Robson Hall,” to recognize members of the legal community for their extraordinary service and commitment to the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, be it through teaching or other contributions to Manitoba’s law school. This list grows each year as we celebrate individuals who give their time and expertise to the betterment of the Faculty of Law.

Learn more about the Jurists of Robson Hall on the Faculty of Law website.

At the annual Spring Reception, the Faculty of Law also presented its 2023 Alumni Awards to three accomplished UM Law graduates in the categories of Outstanding Alumni, Emerging Leader, and Trailblazer. This year’s recipients included:

• Bradley Regehr, K.C. [LLB/96], Outstanding Alumni Award
• Heather Wadsworth [JD/15], Emerging Leader Award
• Dr. Brent Roussin [BSc/96, MD/00, JD/09, MPH/11], Trailblazer Award

Learn more about these three alumni in the Faculty of Law’s announcement regarding the three 2023 Alumni Reward recipients.

The Spring Reception allows the Faculty of Law the opportunity to celebrate and thank all the practicing professional instructors, volunteers, mentors and coaches who contribute their time, knowledge and effort to educating future members of the legal profession and to helping Manitoba’s law school get the job done.

Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law welcomed everyone and coordinated the presentation of the most recent Jurists of Robson Hall designations, Faculty and Staff Service Awards, and the Faculty of Law’s Alumni Awards.

Jurists

Wishing to formally recognize the exceptional contributions made to the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law Juris Doctor program, Dean Richard Jochelson began designating long-time community members as “Jurists of Robson Hall.” The latest additions to this list of extraordinary individuals included David Asper, K.C., LL.D., Gail Asper, O.C., O.M., LL.D., Silvia De Sousa and Grant Mitchell, K.C..

Faculty Service Awards

Professor Lorna Turnbull is presented with a Faculty Service Award by Professor Darcy MacPherson.

Professor Darcy MacPherson, Acting Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, was pleased to present the Faculty of Law’s inaugural Faculty Service Awards.

The Faculty of Law’s Extraordinary Service Faculty Award went to Bruce Curran for his diligence, professionalism, and leadership in providing support to his colleagues in service work on governance, compensation and the Negotiations program.

The Faculty of Law’s Extraordinary Service Faculty Award went to Gerald Heckman for his diligence, professionalism, and leadership in providing support to his colleagues in service work on Access to Justice in French and in service work with Manitoba Justice.

The Faculty of Law’s Extraordinary Service Faculty Award went to Lorna Turnbull for her diligence, professionalism, and leadership in providing support to her colleagues in service work on governance, compensation and Access to Justice in French.

Staff Service Awards

Lisa Griffin is presented with an Extraordinary Support Staff Award by Professor Jennifer Schulz.

Professor Jennifer Schulz, Associate Dean Academic, presented the Faculty of Law’s Extraordinary Support Staff Awards to Lisa Griffin, Career Development Coordinator, for her diligence, professionalism, and leadership in providing student support and for excellence in providing career services for students, and also to Trina McFadyen, Director of Professional Development, for her diligence, professionalism, and leadership in providing community outreach to the profession, alumni and for excellence in career services.

Alumni Awards

Trina McFadyen, Director of Professional Development, presented the Faculty of Law’s Alumni Awards, which wereannounced earlier this year.

The Outstanding Alumni Award honours a UM Law alum recognized for outstanding professional achievement in their legal career and who has shown dedication and commitment to the betterment of the legal profession while exhibiting the qualities of integrity and professionalism.  This year’s recipient of the award is Sherri Walsh, litigator, adjudicator, arbitrator, and managing partner of Hill Sokalski Walsh.

Sherri Walsh is presented with the inaugural Outstanding Alumni Award by Dean Richard Jochelson and Trina McFadyen.

The Emerging Leader Award Honours a UM Law alum who has graduated within the last 10 years, has shown dedication and commitment to the legal profession, and has also shown the qualities of integrity, professionalism, and leadership in their time practicing law.  This year’s recipient of the award is Dayna Steinfeld, lawyer at Raven Law.

The Trailblazer Award honors a UM Law alum who has excelled in a career outside the traditional practice of law and who is a person of integrity and demonstrated leadership and service to the community.  This year’s recipient of the award is Jennifer Schulz, Professor and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Law.