The Bursary was established in 2022 to be awarded annually to a First Nation, Inuit or Métis female or transfeminine student enrolled in her first year of full-time studies at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. According to Métis alum Roxanne Gagné [LLB/2008] who initiated the bursary fund, she and other members of the legal profession contributed to the fund to give back to community and support diversity in the legal profession as well as help forge a path towards reconciliation by making legal education attainable to such students.

“Giving back and promoting diversity in the legal profession are the reasons I created the fund,” said Gagné when explaining her motivation to spearhead establishing this bursary. “This is a tangible way to promote diversity in the legal profession. If we encourage more diverse law students now, we will have more diverse lawyers and judges in the future.”

Naming the bursary in Whitecloud’s honour, was Gagné’s way of recognizing and thanking her former professor and mentor for helping her and many other Indigenous students achieve successful legal careers. Whitecloud retired in 2019 after nearly 30 years of teaching property law, constitutional law, and aboriginal law in addition to serving as Director of the Academic Support Program. She returned to Robson Hall in August of 2022 as an Elder-in-Residence.

Whitecloud was the first Indigenous female law professor at the Faculty of Law, spearheading many courses related to indigenous studies. Today, the Faculty offers its J.D. students a variety of courses on Aboriginal Law and Policy designed to inform and prepare students to understand and work with the legal issues involving Indigenous communities. Professor Whitecloud was and is an inspiration and mentor to many students with a genuine concern for all of them.

Gagné recalled from her own experience that Whitecloud was always available to provide guidance and encouragement during the hard moments of law school. As a mature student returning to pursue law as a second career after working as a legal assistant for the Federal Crown, Gagné had been told by her friend, articling student Christina Cheater (as she then was, now The Honourable Judge Cheater of the Dauphin Provincial Court), told her to see Whitecloud for help. “I absolutely love Wendy,” said Gagné.

To her former students, Whitecloud is a woman who represents courage, leadership and vision. A member of the Dakota Nation, Whitecloud served and still serves on a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community service organizations which seek to address issues related to justice, women and children. She has served as a Commissioner on the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), established in the fall of 1999. The AJIC’s mandate was to review the report of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (1991), to identify priority areas for government action, and make practical, cost-effective and attainable recommendations for improving justice programs and services for First Nations and Métis people in Manitoba.

“The fund was designed to assist Indigenous women to attend law school and it has already accomplished its objective in giving out the first award,” said Whitecloud. “I cannot thank Roxanne enough for her work in getting the fund established and her interest in enhancing the fund.”

The thing that makes the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law stand out from other Faculty of Law Bursaries other than applicants must identify as female or transfeminine and self—declare as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit from Canada, is that they must submit a maximum 250-word statement describing how they meet the criteria for the award.

Tréchelle Bunn (1L), inaugural recipient of the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law.

Inaugural recipient Tréchelle Bunn, while only in her first year of law school has already set an impressive precedent. A member of the Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation and star hockey player for the Bisons while majoring in criminology at the University of Manitoba in her undergrad, Bunn’s first month of law school was spent organizing the second annual Reconciliation Run event in Birtle, Manitoba. The run brought together more than 150 runners on September 30 this year.

“It is a great honour to be awarded the inaugural Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law,” said Bunn. “Both as a law student and a fellow Dakota winyan (woman), Wendy is a tremendous inspiration to me. As the first Indigenous female law professor at the Faculty of Law, Wendy is a trailblazer who paved the way for me and other Indigenous women pursuing careers in law.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Roxanne Gagné for establishing this bursary. It is a testament to the strong Indigenous women actively working to break down barriers for the next generation of Indigenous women in law.”

Gagné hopes eventually the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary will be able to assist more than one law student each year.

“What can be done to achieve Reconciliation,” said Gagné, “is repairing relationships. Establishing this bursary is also a path toward Reconciliation, by making it possible for Indigenous women to become lawyers and judges and leaders in our society.”

Contributions to the Wendy Whitecloud Bursary in Law can be made online through the University of Manitoba.

This kind of reception is not new to the Faculty of Law. The annual Pitblado Scholars Reception hosted by the Faculty of Law each fall, has had Jim and Sandra Pitblado meeting up with each and every Dean’s Honour Roll student for the past 21 years to present each with a Pitblado Scholarship.

Despite the chill November air, emotion ran warmly through the Robson Hall Common Room as award presenters shared memories of their loved-ones’ lives, or excitedly met recipients starting their legal careers. Each award was connected in some way to someone who had made significant contributions to the legal practice or legal research for the betterment of people’s lives.

Dr. Tracey Peter, Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs) brought greetings from the University of Manitoba President’s office and The Honourable Renée Cable, newly minted Minister of Advanced Education and Training, represented the Manitoba Government. The Faculty’s legal community partners were represented by Jason Gisser, President, Manitoba Bar Association, Michelle Falk, Executive Director, Manitoba Bar Association, and Leah Kosokowsky, C.E.O., Law Society of Manitoba. The Honourable Ryan Rolston, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court represented the judiciary, along with recently appointed Provincial Court judge and former Associate Professor, The Honourable Judge David Ireland, who was also present to celebrate the achievements of his former students.

“With deepest thanks and earnest gratitude, we welcome our donors who are here tonight in person to witness the fruits of their labours as we celebrate our hard-working students who have earned scholarships, awards and fellowships made possible by these remarkable people,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law in his welcoming remarks. “It is truly heart-warming and inspiring to see donors meeting and encouraging the students receiving their awards.”

Mark Joyal, a Classics professor at the University of Manitoba presented the Ken Tacium memorial award in honour of his long-time friend, which is presented annually as an entrance award to law students who have overcome significant obstacles. The award honours Tacium’s own determination in achieving his LLB in 1985 despite a spinal cord injury. Tacium died in 2012 at age 54, and was a senior partner with Tacium, Vincent and Orlikow, attorneys-at-law. Joyal explained his friend was known for selflessness and dedication to clients, and volunteered for charities that helped people with disabilities, children and animals. The two winners of the award this year were AubrieAnn Schettler and Austin Lees.

The family of Darius Maharaj-Hunter (left to right): David Hunter (father), Anjanie Maharaj-Hunter (mother), Delyar Khaleh (wife), Tamir Maharaj (cousin).

For the first time, the newly-established Darius Hunter Memorial Award was presented to third-year law student Seth Lozinski (they/them) by Delyar Khaleh, wife of the late Robson Hall graduate, Darius Maharaj-Hunter. Hunter, who graduated with his JD in 2021 died at age 25 when he was just embarking on his legal career.

Khaleh was accompanied by Hunter’s father David Hunter, mother Anjanie Maharaj-Hunter, and first-cousin Tamir Maharaj. After attending the event, Khaleh said, “The Darius Maharaj Hunter Memorial Scholarship was established with the purpose to empower and support law students who have demonstrated a spirit for leadership and community engagement, and a desire to carry this forward in their education and practice. We were pleased to meet and celebrate our first recipient of this award – Seth Lozinski, as well as connect over Darius’ passions and pursuits, and his continued legacy in the legal community.”

More information on the Darius Hunter Award can be found on the University of Manitoba website.

Faculty of Law alum Morton H. Nemy’s grandson David (left) and son Wayne (right) share the legacy of the well-respected Winnipeg lawyer in whose name the family established an Entrance Scholarship.

The Morton H. Nemy Entrance Scholarship presentation was also a family affair this year when the both the son and grandson of the late Dr. Morton H. Nemy, a prominent lawyer and community leader in Winnipeg, presented the award to Tess Poulton. Third-year law student David Nemy, a member of the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic team, supported his father Wayne who shared the story of his own father’s legacy. Morton H. Nemy graduated from the Manitoba Law School in 1956, as it was then called, and died in 2006 after practicing law for over 50 years.

Muriel St. John was pleased to meet her award recipient, Sawarn Benning in-person this year.

Meeting the student recipients of her award is nothing new to retired E.K. Williams Law Librarian Muriel St. John who, before the pandemic, had established a practice of reading the winning research paper and hosting a lunch at her home for the winners of the Muriel St. John Research Award for Women’s Legal Issues.The purpose of the award is to encourage research into legal issues pertaining to women, social justice, and societal rights. 

Looking forward to reading the winning paper of third-year law student Sawarn Benning, St. John said, “I love to meet with the students who have won my award; however this has not happened since the pandemic. So, it was wonderful this year to meet my award winner at the Awards Reception sponsored by the Law School.”

Left to right: Sandra Secter, Master of Human Rights student Priscila Alves, and Harvey Secter, CM, OM.

Former Chancellor of the University of Manitoba and former Dean of Law Harvey Secter, CM, OM [BComm/1967, LLB/1992] and Sandra Secter were in attendance to present Master of Human Rights program students with the Harvey and Sandra Secter Master of Human Rights Fellowship Awards. Student recipients were Trixie Maybituin, Priscila Alves, and Wendy Ochola.

The full list of awards presented were:

Susan Loadman Memorial Award, presented by her sister Mary Fultz and niece Megan Fultz. Presented to a student who has persevered in their legal studies despite significant obstacles to their progress.

• Matt Reimer

Darius Maharaj Hunter Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Maharaj-Hunter family, to a student who has demonstrated a spirit for leadership and community engagement, and a desire to carry this forward in their education and practice.

• Seth Lozinski

Ken Tacium Memorial Scholarships, presented by Dr. Mark Joyal, long-time friend of the late Ken Tacium, to law students who have overcome significant obstacles honoring Ken Tacium’s own determination in achieving his LL.B. despite a spinal cord injury.

• AubrieAnn Schettler
• Austin Lees

Morton H. Nemy Entrance Scholarship, presented by son Wayne Nemy and grandson David Nemy.

• Tess Poulton

Muriel St. John Research Award for Women’s Legal Issues, presented by Muriel St. John, former Research Librarian at the E.K. Williams Law Library.

• Sawarn Benning

Taylor McCaffrey LLP Entrance Award, presented by Kevin Williams, K.C., Managing Partner [Bcomm (Hons)/1985; LLB/1989].

• Abigail Clarke
• Dena Aminzadeh
• Tesia Romaniw

Pitblado LLP Entrance Award, presented by Don MacDonald [LLB/1983].

• Joshua Dondo

Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jennifer Schulz [BA/1991; LLB/1994] presented the following undergraduate awards to Juris Doctor students:

Alex Brown Entrance Scholarship in Law

• Kaitlyn Clarke

Max Steinkopf Entrance Scholarship

• Emily Dueck
• Marianna Pozdirca

Maitland Steinkopf Entrance Award

• James Cheng
• Jayden Kyryluk

Dean’s List Academic Award

• Tobey Xiang
• Nicholas Ly

Manitoba Law School Foundation Entrance Scholarship

• Elizabeth Walker

Patricia N. and Mark G. Smerchanski Law Entrance Scholarship

• Gilad Stitz

D’Arcy & Deacon LLP Entrance Scholarship

• Brennan Carlson

John Mitchell Scholarship

• Tréchelle Bunn

EJ McMurray Trust Fund Entrance Award

• Sarah Shuttleworth
• Chloe Dreilich-Girard
• Kaedyn Lashley

Ahava Halpern and Frank Lavitt Entrance Scholarship for Law

• Talia Taras

JSD Tory Writing Award

• Lou Lamari

Borden Ladner Gervais Professional Excellence Award

• Laraib Khaliqdina

Regina Novek Prize

• Justin Papoff

David Sowemimo Law Entrance Scholarship

• Stefan Lewis

Associate Dean (Research & Graduate Studies) Dr. Donn Short presented a series of Fellowships to Master of Laws students:

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

• Lovelyn Osiele

Adalsteinn (Steini) Fridrikson Kristjansson Graduate Fellowship

• Xiaobing Li

Samuel Freedman Graduate Fellowship

• Xiaobing Li

Bernard B. Dubienski and Amy E. Dubienski Memorial Scholarship

• Larry Munir

Right Honourable Brian Dickson Graduate Fellowship

• Larry Munir

Trevor Anderson Fellowship

• Larry Munir

David T. Sgayias Graduate Fellowship

• Chiamaka Ilozue

Director of Master of Human Rights Program Dr. Kjell Anderson presented the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships:

• Piaroa Nuñez
• Kyra Campbell
• Dannielle Morrisseau

Harvey and Sandra Secter presented the Harvey and Sandra Secter Master of Human Rights Fellowship Awards:

• Trixie Maybituin
• Priscila Alves
• Wendy Ochola
• Nabil Iqbal

Creating a bursary, fellowship, prize or scholarship is one of the most meaning ways to make a positive impact in students’ lives. By establishing an endowment or annually funded award, you can join thousands of donors in celebrating students’ achievements and removing financial barriers to education.

Decreasing the financial burden while starting a degree in law can relieve a great deal of stress and allow students to focus on their studies. The first recipient, Keza Uwitonze, was awarded the Sowemimo Scholarship in 2021 and is now in her second year of the juris doctor program at the Faculty of Law. Thanks to the financial support of this scholarship, she is looking forward to a successful law career that will allow her to give back to the marginalized community.

“It’s partially because of the scholarship that I didn’t have to take out a student loan in my first year. With all the stressors of law school overwhelming me, I’m glad that there wasn’t a financial burden weighing down on me as well,” says Uwitonze.

The second student to receive the scholarship, Meseret Alem, started her first year with the Faculty of Law in 2022. At first, she was hesitant about applying to law school because she didn’t have enough money, but she says receiving this scholarship and from a successful Black lawyer and the Robson Hall Bursary has made a massive impact for her as she begins her own law journey.

 “I don’t think there are enough Black specific scholarships at the University of Manitoba and that is something that I am hoping will change in the near future. I intend eventually to establish something at Robson Hall as well,” says Alem.

As Black History Month concludes, it is vital to ensure that more Black members of the law community will help encourage further pursuits by Black students. Both Uwitonze and Alem are inspired by Sowemimo’s support for their community and hope to follow in his footsteps one day by giving back to the next generation of Black law students.

“If we open the field for more scholarships for specifically marginalized people, the end result is a higher percentage of representation within the profession. That is the real goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion. That is what I hope to achieve,” says Uwitonze.

The generosity of Sowemimo has not only helped to alleviate the financial burden for young law students but has also contributed to the future landscape of the law profession in Manitoba. His goal of a more diverse law profession that can serve the marginalized population is now a shared goal of these students as well.

“I’m delighted to see the impact that the scholarship is having on law students at the University of Manitoba. Keza and Meseret’s respective journeys and experiences exemplify the reason for starting this scholarship in the first place. I can’t wait to see where their legal careers take them,” says Sowemimo.

The David Sowemimo Law Entrance Scholarship will be awarded next in the 2023-24 academic year. Application information for students can be found here. Those who wishing to make a donation to the scholarship can do so by clicking here. 

After the discovery in May 2021 of suspected unmarked graves of children on the grounds of the former Indian Residential School at Kamloops, BC, members of Robson Hall’s Class of 1980 were quick to respond to a suggestion that they do something to encourage and support Indigenous law students. 

Norman Yusim [B.A./77, LL.B./80], a family lawyer at Fillmore Riley LLP, explained that it all started with an email that Randy Bennell [LL.B./80] sent to classmates on June 25, 2021, reminding them that it was 40 years to the day since many of them were called to the Manitoba bar. 

Classmate Lea Baturin [B.A./77, LL.B./80] responded with a proposal inspired by the news of the day. “She thought it would be a fantastic idea to contribute to a bursary for an Indigenous law student for a number of reasons. One, it was to support Robson Hall. Two, it was to leave a legacy. And three, it was to honour, really, the residential school survivors and victims in Canada,” Yusim said. “It was a really big issue for us and when it was suggested by Lea, it didn’t take much arm-twisting.” 

Within days, a committee — consisting of classmates Baturin, Yusim, Mira Thow [LL.B./80] and Frances Bidewell [LL.B./80] — was formed to begin the fund-raising effort. The response from the class was very positive. “I’m really proud of our class,” Yusim said, adding that the initial amount they set out to collect was $7,500. Within the first week, however, they had over $11,000, and then $25,000.

Realizing this could be a long-term bursary available annually to an Indigenous student, they began working with the University of Manitoba’s Donor Relations Department to set up Terms of Reference. Currently, the class has collected over $33,000 and hopes to raise more. 

In a letter thanking the Class of 1980 for their initiative, second-year law student Adam Kowal pointed out that entering the legal profession as an Indigenous student is difficult. “Law academia is not easy in general, and it is while facing further obstacles that Indigenous students face it,” said Kowal, the co-president of the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students Association.

Kowal explained, “Law school for Indigenous students can feel unsafe in a variety of ways. Often many students feel isolated, afraid to speak up in discussion with Indigenous perspectives, or simply that one might see any view as an Indigenous perspective. Another sense can be in physical insecurity, whether that be anxiety over dressing appropriately to fit in or a comfortable environment to study in or go to sleep in at night.”

Most significantly, he told the class of 1980, “A great mitigating factor towards these situations addresses financial security. The creation of a bursary for Indigenous students would add safety to an enriching community. It would help level the playing field and it would allow for resources on hand for an individual or group that deserves to succeed.”

Yusim said Kowal’s letter moved him deeply, particularly his comments that financial security would help students feel safer and more connected. “We wanted to help Indigenous students to achieve their goal of becoming lawyers. Tuition is very expensive now:  $14,000 a year for tuition,” Yusim said. “Then there’s books and there’s the registration costs.  Working in the summer to make money to pay for (all) your tuition, books and registration costs seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird … He (Kowal) felt that this particular bursary would contribute to the success of the Indigenous students by easing the financial burden.”

Yusim said the Class of 1980 has been strongly influenced by the actions and career path of Senator Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who graduated a year ahead of them in the Class of 1979. Law students in those days were part of a generation taught by professors he described as “probably some of the best,” including Gerry Nemiroff and Barney Sneiderman. “We just had great professors all the way through who helped build the foundation for us as lawyers, at least for me.”

In a letter thanking the Class of 1980, Marc Kruse, a Robson Hall alum of 2015, and Indigenous Legal Studies Coordinator at the Faculty of Law, said Robson Hall doesn’t currently have any internal scholarships for Indigenous students. “Having the ability to award monies to Indigenous students will allow us to be competitive with other larger law schools,” he said.

Kruse also pointed to the barriers Indigenous students face when trying to access post-secondary education, especially expensive professional programs. He said the faculty is currently drafting changes to its Indigenous applicant category, including internal financial support. “At Robson Hall we are committed to respecting and implementing when appropriate, the TRC calls to action.” 

The Class of 1980 bursary is eligible for funding from a provincial government program to encourage private donors to create bursaries and scholarships. The Manitoba Bursaries and Scholarship Initiative will match half the amount awarded as a bursary for three consecutive years, commencing in the fall of 2023. 

To contribute to the bursary fund, please visit the Law Class of 1980 Bursary donation page.

At Robson Hall, the Admissions Office falls under the Faculty of Law’s Student Services department and is responsible for preparing all applications for admission to the Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Master of Human Rights degree programs for committee review. Once students are admitted and welcomed, the Admissions Office switches gears to make sure all admitted students have access to bursaries, scholarships, prizes and awards available to them.

“The Admissions Office fulfills a vital function in the Faculty of Law,” explained Dr. Virginia Torrie, Associate Dean of the JD program. “Admissions and Financial Aid are interconnected. We want to make sure that our students are supported, and part of that is assisting them financially, starting from when they first arrive.”

The Admissions, Financial Aid & Awards Officer responsible for all these critical aspects of a law student’s experience is Mr. Rory Churchill-Henry, an alumnus of Robson Hall (Class of 2019) who once stood in the very shoes of the students he now helps.

“My time as a law student helped me understand the ins and outs of the admissions process, and that helps me advise prospective students on their applications,” said Churchill-Henry. “I also learned about the various forms of financial aid and funding options for current students, which means I can explain those opportunities to current law students.”

Churchill-Henry also brings the benefit of his experience practicing law to the position and his familiarity with the important attributes lawyers need in their careers. “When speaking to people who are considering law as a career, I advise them of the pathway to becoming a lawyer, and also talk to them about the important values that a lawyer must have, such as respect, integrity, and a strong sense of accountability,” he explained.

We want to make sure that we get top-quality candidates at the Faculty of Law, regardless of their economic situation. The funding we have available, combined with the Faculty’s affordable tuition, means that students can attend law school with one less barrier to education.

– Rory Churchill-Henry [JD/2019], Admissions, Financial Aid & Awards Officer, Faculty of Law

As Churchill-Henry, who joined the Faculty as a new staff member this past August is learning, an Admissions Officer’s job is never dull. His academic year began in August when he started preparing for incoming applications, answering inquiries from prospective students, and dealing with certain entrance scholarships that require separate applications. Some recruitment work happens in October, and November is filled with giving prospective students information. Applications to law school close annually on December 1^st, along with applications for the Master of Human Rights program.  Master of Laws applications are due December 15^theach year.

“We regularly see hundreds of applications each year for the JD program, roughly 100 for the LLM and have seen steady growth upwards for the MHR program since its inaugural year in 2019,” he said.

Each year, the JD program has approximately 100 seats to fill, the MHR accepts roughly 20 students, and the LLM program offers a thesis-based master’s degree program. Each spring, the Admissions Officer sends out acceptance letters and organizes a welcome reception at the Faculty to introduce incoming students to each other and their new environs. 

The next step each spring is to administer the merit-based scholarships, awards and prizes to distribute to the highest achievers in each class.

Tuition at Robson Hall remains among the most affordable of Canadian law schools, and more bursaries are available to students here than any other professional faculty at the University of Manitoba. In past years, approximately 50% of the student body received need-based financial aid from one of the Faculty’s dedicated endowments funds.

Thirteen Entrance Awards are offered annually, ranging from $3,500 to $8,000. Performance and merit-based awards are distributed to students in every course, recognizing academic excellence. Dean’s Honour List Students entering second year or third year, receive a substantial scholarship and are named Pitblado Scholars.  The Faculty strives to ensure that all eligible students will be supported according to their needs, Churchill-Henry confirmed, saying, “We want to reduce financial stress and ensure that those who want to study law can do so.”

Learn about Admissions to all three of the Faculty of Law’s programs.

Complete information about scholarships and ways to fund your law school education at Robson Hall is on the Faculty’s Financial Aid & Awards page.

Host, alumnus and professor, David Ireland kept the program lively with his wit and warmth, making everyone welcome. The faculty’s brand-new Dean, Professor Richard Jochelson brought alumni up to date on current events and upcoming changes taking place at their alma mater. In particular, he shared a number of important experiential learning opportunities now available including the Indigenous People and the Criminal Justice System seminar.  

Manitoba Law Student Association President Michael Badejo shared a perspective of law student life during the pandemic, including the way the student community pulled together this year in the wake of the passing of law school graduate Darius Maharaj Hunter to create a scholarship fund in his memory. Badejo also brought a glimpse of the forthcoming transitional year as the law school returns to the classroom after nearly two full years of virtual learning and expressed hope of restoring and improving connections between students and alumni.

Professor Emeritus Cameron Harvey.

Professor Emeritus Harvey, who normally eschews the limelight, acquiesced – to the delight of his former students and colleagues – to share some anecdotes regarding how he came to teach at the Faculty, including the fact that he nearly studied forestry instead of arts at the University of Toronto and subsequently law at Osgoode Hall, and that in 1966, the Manitoba Law School paid its new professors an annual salary of $7500 per year, which was $500 more per year than Osgoode Hall!

Harvey said that he has loved all three aspects of being a law professor: teaching, researching and writing, and even administration, and that he never experienced stress or tension while teaching. He continues to teach to this day because he quite enjoys it, he said. While Harvey spoke, former students shared in the Zoom chat, memories of Harvey’s notably aggressive hockey-playing (“fighting was allowed and I enjoyed mixing it up,” he grinned), and tough marks they had received from him that were well-deserved.

Professor Karen Busby.

Next, Ireland engaged Professor Karen Busby in a conversation that explored Busby’s journey to the study and practice of law and her pursuit of Human Rights as a legal scholar and inaugural Director of the Centre for Human Rights Research. An award-winning professor, Professor Busby discussed her teaching experiences, her motivation for teaching, and the roles she’d had over the years in various landmark cases in human rights law. Colleagues with whom she had shared these experiences were on the call and knowing smiles of these common memories were witnessed by all.

Any law alumni, faculty or students who missed the event can still watch a recording by emailing the Dean’s office to obtain the link at lawdean@umanitoba.ca.

Darius’ passion for the law, love of education, and unwavering desire to help others has inspired his family, friends, and colleagues to establish a scholarship at the University of Manitoba in his name. This scholarship will provide funds to students in their first, second, and final year of study at Robson Hall who have demonstrated a commitment to the legal profession, leadership and public service, and community-mindedness. Their goal is to raise $200,000 to establish the fund, with over $39,000 already raised from family and friends.

“Darius’ passion for the law stemmed from his commitment to community service and dedicating himself to a higher purpose,” says Hunter’s wife, Delyar Hunter.  “He was a leader, a mentor, a loving friend and dedicated colleague. During his time as an articling student, he was a compassionate legal advocate. His memory will live on through the spirit of leadership and community service which he demonstrated through his actions. Darius understood that leadership isn’t measured by individual success but rather by empowering others to reach their full potential. It is through this scholarship that we hope to honour Darius’ legacy by inspiring the next generation of leaders in the legal profession to be a voice for others and make a difference in their community.”

Darius received his Bachelor of Arts in political science at UM and earned his Juris Doctor from the UM Faculty of Law as part of the Class of 2021. A 2018 Emerging Leader Award winner, Darius was known as a keen learner and an inspirational community-builder who made a positive impact on the UM community in both academic and student life. Darius founded and served as president of the UM Hindu Students’ Council and was the Faculty of Arts representative on the University of Manitoba Students Union.

Richard Jochelson, dean, UM’s Faculty of Law, remembers Darius fondly.

“I remember him as a vigorous, energetic, intelligent and motivated person,” Jochelson said. “He was embraced by so many of his peers, and he had a bright future.”

Darius also inspired many beyond campus with his desire to create positive change for others including with his work as an interfaith organizer and volunteer. He also worked with MLAs, ministers, and as an organizer for the Hillary Clinton campaign for the 2016 presidential election. Darius was a world champion debate finalist, earned his double black belt in Taekwondo at the age of 18, and was a CBC “Future 40” nominee in 2016 for his contributions and achievements.

Darius had recently married and was articling at the law firm of Phillips Aiello at the time of his passing.

Make a gift to this scholarship

“I would be at the back of the courtroom and the security guard would come to me and say, ‘why are you here?’ And I would say ‘I’m a law student as a matter of fact’ and he would smile and be surprised. All the accused were mostly people of colour, and the lawyers were usually old white men.”

Today, as an injury lawyer in Edmonton, Sowemimo [BA(Adv)/08, JD/15] is continuing to work hard to challenge society’s perceptions and encourage other Black students to consider a legal career.

Sowemimo was 17 when he came from Nigeria to study at UM. He majored in labour studies for his undergraduate degree before working as a claims representative in the insurance industry. It was there he met lawyers who encouraged him to pursue his clear interest in law which prompted him to return to UM for his juris doctor degree.

That encouragement from those who are now his legal peers helped Sowemimo overcome what he says is often a barrier for Black students: not seeing enough people who look like them in law.

“When I graduated we had two Black students – myself and somebody else. And it contributed a lot to seeing myself in law firms in downtown Winnipeg. I couldn’t see myself in that arena at all, at that time. Seeing people who look like you, and speak like you, in professional settings, really does help.”

During his education, Sowemimo received a scholarship for students demonstrating financial need. He sent a thank you note to the donors who wrote back in turn to wish him well. “I just thought that one day, if I do really well in this law thing, maybe I could send something out to other students as well.” In January 2021, he did.

The David Sowemimo Law Entrance Scholarship will be awarded annually to Black undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the juris doctor program in UM’s Faculty of Law. It is the first scholarship of its kind at UM.

“For the legal profession to have a truly positive impact in our community, we must be representative of the people we serve,” says David Asper, Q.C., Acting Dean, Faculty of Law. “Having a diverse and inclusive student body and faculty is critical to achieving that representation. I hope our Black students will be empowered by this gift to consider a highly-rewarding career in law.”

For Sowemimo, his hope is that this entrance scholarship will make taking the first step to a legal education that much easier. “When you talk to Black students just socially they tell you ‘oh I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer’, and I’m always saying ‘so why haven’t you done it?’ You can second guess, you can plan, but at the end of the day, you just have to do it. Pick up the LSAT book, write the exam, apply to all the schools that you want to go to – preferably the University of Manitoba. Don’t let anything hold you back.”

The David Sowemimo Law Entrance Scholarship will be awarded for the first time in the 2021-22 academic year. Application information for students can be found here. Those who would like to make a donation to the scholarship can do so by clicking here. 

The IIC has sponsored this annual competition for full-time undergraduate Canadian law students for the past 14 years to get law students interested in researching corporate insolvency and restructuring issues, developing ideas and bringing proposals for reform to the attention of the business and legal community. First prize consists of $7,500 and an invitation to the IIC Conference in Charlottetown being held in PEI September 27 – 30, 2018; Second prize is $5,000, and Third prize is $2,500. Complete information about the Awards Program can be found on the IIC website.

Davis, who won the 2018 second-place prize, is the first University of Manitoba Law Student to have ever placed in the top three. The title of Davis’ paper is “CBCA Section 192: Canada’s Next Insolvency Regime.” Davis’ faculty sponsor for his competition entry was Dr. Virginia Torrie, who teaches bankruptcy and insolvency law at the faculty. According to Torrie, Davis’ research for his award-winning paper “also forms the basis for his LL.M. project, which uses socio-legal theory to analyze the growing use of the Canada Business Corporations Act for insolvent restructurings.” 

Davis credits Torrie for first giving him the idea to embark on a bankruptcy research project when she announced the opportunity to enter the annual competition in the bankruptcy class he took during the winter term of his second year of law school. “I was really interested in bankruptcy after I finished that class, and I decided to write an independent research paper the following year in winter, 2018 about a bankruptcy topic,” he said.

Because the independent research paper credit requires having a faculty supervisor, he asked Torrie to fulfill that role. She also provided a list of topics for him to choose from, and he settled on the section 192 thesis. He wrote the paper with the intention of submitting a version of it to the competition. The independent paper, however, was 10,000 words long, whereas the competition had a maximum word count of 3,000 words, thus, Davis spent all of May and the first part of June editing down the paper to make the submission.

After obtaining a “very good mark” (he said with a smile) on the independent paper, he sent in his whittled-down paper with confidence, and was very encouraged in his decision to pursue an LL.M. after having placed in the top three.

“Initially, I was more interested in going into practice,” he said regarding his earliest mindset upon starting law school, “and I didn’t know if I liked criminal practice or commercial practice or which practice I would go into.” Over the last 3 years, Davis determined that he definitely likes corporate law, and is especially pleased to be studying insolvency and bankruptcy law at a more in-depth level.

Davis encourages other law students to take the time to apply for similar awards and prizes, given that the pay-off can be career-defining, in addition to coming with monetary benefits. “I would suggest that if you’ve written a paper already for a perspective course or want to do an independent paper, students should look or ask someone to see if there is some sort of competition open for that kind of paper. The student essay contests are very specific and you have to be able to find one that matches what you’re doing,” he advised.

On starting the LL.M., Davis said, “I am looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be very different from law school, mostly because there’s a lot less classes and it’s a lot more research-based for your thesis.”

He’ll have to take three classes over the next year, but is a bit ahead of the game already knowing what his thesis topic will be with some research already started. “I’m pretty happy with the course selection,” he said. “If there was a bankruptcy II course, I would probably take it.”

Davis would recommend that more students consider a Master of Laws degree, since it doesn’t necessarily mean that one can never go back and practice law.  “You can still do an LL.M. and then go articling after that,” he said. As for himself, “I’m considering either going on to do a Ph.D. or articling and going into practice. I’m torn on that.”

Davis is glad that the IIC has been encouraging students with the awards program: “It’s specifically only for law students and it’s meaningful that they offer such high value cash prizes. The Insolvency Institute of Canada is doing a good job and I’d recommend that future Robson Hall students try out to win an award. Give it a try,” he said.