This was his third visit in as many years since the clinic’s completion, and this time he brought two business colleagues to show them how his support helped to create an unforgettable, hands-on learning environment that is transforming the student experience.

The story of how Dr. Kerry Vickar made possible a business law clinic at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law never loses its impact. On his first day of articling, Vickar was asked to draft a contract and realized he didn’t know the first thing about where to start. Law school at the time didn’t teach such things.

Vickar tells the story of how he discovered how little practical experience he had when fresh out of law school.

Years later, engaging with former Dean of Law and UM Chancellor Emeritus Harvey Secter’s office about his desire to give back to his alma mater, he focused on ensuring his donation would create something that truly serves others. Through their discussions, Vickar saw how he could use his early experiences and subsequent business success to create the very kind of clinical learning experience he once wished he’d had and help to ensure today’s students gain mentorship, real-world experience and confidence for the future.

This year, Vickar and colleagues Molly McGuire and Jeff Gifford heard an update on the clinic’s activities from Yvan Guy Larocque, Clinical Counsel, and Nick Slonosky, Instructor and Supervising Lawyer, followed by stories of personal experiences shared by six of the clinic’s students.

Larocque shares details about the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic’s accomplishment with Vickar and his business colleagues Jeff Gifford and Molly McGuire.

The visitors were impressed to hear the impact of the clinic’s work as well as the work of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, in which the students further help artists throughout Manitoba with legal matters including Contracts, Intellectual Property, Business structure, and other business-related issues that also affect regular business clients.

In his presentation, Larocque shared that because of Vickar’s vision, the clinic:

• Provided over 10,000 hours of pro bono legal advice and public legal education
• Engaged in over 700 files
• Provided real-life client opportunities to over 100 law students
• Was the only clinic in Western Canada to receive an ISED IP Clinic Grant (in both 2024 and 2025)
• Helped reimagine clinical education at Robson Hall
• Connected law students with practicing lawyers to gain unparalleled experience while still in law school

Following the presentation, law students Gilad Stitz, Paul Chorney, Jessie Canard, Tina Lerner, Vanessa Smith and Travis Dech each shared anecdotes of the experiences they were having, learning – already – to be fully professional business law practitioners, under the expert guidance and supervision of Larocque and Slonosky, two seasoned and award-winning lawyers.

Third-year law student Tina Lerner shares her clinical experiences with Vickar and colleagues.

While clinic staff and students were eager to thank Vickar for his vision, he was quick to redirect the praise. He commended the Faculty of Law’s leadership – Dr. Richard Jochelson, along with Slonosky and Larocque – for turning that vision into a meaningful and lasting reality.

 The Winter Term of 2025 saw numerous guest speakers, panel discussions and educational events including an actual Federal Court hearing pass through the recently renovated moot courtroom which can be divided into two separate classrooms. The space was named in honour of Harry Walsh, O.C., LL.D., Q.C., a Faculty of Law Class of 1937 alum, to acknowledge his legacy following the extensive renovations which were made possible thanks to a generous gift from Walsh’s nephew, Ron Stern.

Ron Stern, nephew of Harry Walsh, stands beside the plaque dedicating the Faculty of Law’s Moot Courtroom to his uncle. Photo by Adam Dolman.

Harry Walsh was a legendary criminal defence lawyer who practiced law into his 90’s and who passed away in 2011 after a lifetime of advocating for underserved populations, defending human rights, and fighting to abolish capital punishment in Canada. A comprehensive story about Walsh titled “Honouring Advocacy” can be found on UM Today.

To acknowledge and officially recognize the legacy of Harry Walsh, the Faculty of Law could find no more fitting a Canadian lawyer than Marie Henein, an extraordinary criminal defence lawyer herself, to deliver the Harry Walsh Lecture in his namesake moot courtroom.

Marie Henein is a founding partner of Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP and is recognized as one of the country’s top litigators. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, criminal litigation, commercial litigation, mediation, and arbitration. She has been interviewed repeatedly by the media written for the Globe and Mail, and is a sought after public speaker. In 2003 Ms. Henein was a recipient of the Laura Legge, award from the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Law Society of Upper Canada Medal. In 2017 she received the Law Society Medal for outstanding service to the administration of justice.

In 2023 Ms. Henein was the chosen recipient of the G. Arthur Martin medal, most recently in 2024. She was awarded a doctorate of laws by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Marie Henein authored her best-selling memoir, Nothing but the Truth, and was co-editor of Martin’s Criminal Code, Martin’s Annual Criminal Practice, and Martin’s related Criminal Statute and the associate editor of the Canadian Criminal Cases.

The Harry Walsh Lecture began with Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, sharing a word from former Dean and former University of Manitoba Chancellor, Harvey Secter, who had initially recognized the need for upgrades to be made to the law school’s Moot Courtroom. “With Ron Stern’s support the Faculty of Law was able to memorialize one of Manitoba’s most distinguished advocates and create a facility designed for the realities of the 21^st century,” he said in an email.

Next, the audience was treated to a special visit from Winnipeg criminal defence lawyer, Richard Wolson via Zoom (live from California), who had been mentored by Walsh and practiced law with him for 22 years after having intended to stay at his firm of Walsh Micay for only one year. “What made Harry so great?”, Wolson asked the nearly 100 guests filling the room. “He was gifted with the innate ability to question witnesses just far enough, and was gifted at cross-examination.”

“Anything that has gone well in court has been because of Harry,” Wolson said of his own successful career. “Anything that was a mistake was my own fault.”

Walsh’s son Paul Walsh, KC, who had practiced law for many years with his dad, shared a glimpse of his father with the audience and his own enthusiasm to see Walsh’s legacy so appropriately recognized. “Thank you, Ron, for your fabulous gift to Robson Hall,” he said addressing his cousin. “Your gift is regarded by all who all related, all of those who are acquainted, as well as those who retained my dad and your uncle Harry, as the perfect gift – it is the perfect gift – to memorialize both his career and his contributions to the legal community.”

Henein started her remarks by recognizing Walsh as “a lawyer’s lawyer” who valued the true nature of the legal profession. “Law is an inconvenient profession,” she acknowledged. “Over time, it changes the landscape of who you are.”

Henein unflinchingly addressed current issues the legal profession faces today with media and government constantly challenging the legitimacy of what lawyers and the judiciary do. “We know everyone’s entitled to a defence,” she said. “We know our own ethics and morals.”

She warned that an attack on the justice system was more of an attack on democracy itself, pointing to historical examples of times when politicians waged so-called wars on crime or drugs or other excuses to remove democratic rights from communities. “There is no greater obstruction to an autocracy than an independent bar and an independent judiciary,” she said.

Example after example of incidents in other countries illustrated her point that “democracies around the world have tolerated the erosion of civil liberties and embraced anti-democratic values.”

Henein cautioned against disparaging lawyers for doing their jobs, noting that democracy doesn’t die with a few large blows but with a series of small steps.

Henein noted that Harry Walsh took steps throughout his life that were fundamental to the protection of democracy including helping to found Legal Aid Manitoba and fighting for the abolishment of capital punishment in Canada. “Not once did he question his own ethics and integrity,” she said, concluding that lawyers are “defenders of democracy.”

Manitoba lawyer Stacey Soldier records an episode of the Robson Radio podcast with Marie Henein. Photo by Christine Mazur.

After speaking, Henein welcomed questions from the audience, at the end of which, Stern rose to especially thank her and express hope that all law students could follow in Harry Walsh’s and Marie Henein’s footsteps.

Earlier in the day, Henein spent some time in conversation with Manitoba lawyer Stacey Soldier, a senior associate lawyer at Cochrane Sinclair LLP, class of 2007 alum, and a practicing professional instructor at Robson Hall. Soldier, who hails from the Gaabiskigamaag community, (Swan Lake First Nation), practices criminal law and child protection law, and connected with Henein about the perceptions of criminal defence lawyers in Canadian society today, over-policing, capital punishment, mental health and the legal profession, practicing law as women, and the importance of mentorship and diversity in the legal profession. Their conversation was recorded and can be heard as an episode of the Robson Radio Podcast.

“The Faculty of Law is fortunate to have many excellent law professors and practicing professionals; it is never easy to choose amongst them,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Schulz, chair of the teaching awards selection committee. “This year, Dr. Khoday and Ms. Fenske unanimously rose to the top. The selection committee was so impressed with both of their teaching prowess, dedication to students – in and outside of the classroom – and genuine love of teaching. They are truly very deserving recipients of their respective awards.”

Barney Sneiderman Award

The Barney Sneiderman Award honours a late beloved faculty member who taught Manitoba law students from 1969 until the year of his passing in 2006. Friends and family remember Barney as being eternally curious, confidently irreverent, and passionately interested in connecting with people from all walks of life. He was a devoted educator, in the classroom and beyond, through his writing (of academic texts and op-eds) and his speaking (on the radio and at conferences). He was a devoted husband and father to his wife and three children as well as an ardent educator. He strove for excellence in all he did and would be delighted to know that an award to recognize excellence in teaching was created in his name to foster the dedicated teachers who have followed his example with a love of learning.

Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, presents Dr. Amar Khoday with the 2025 Barney Sneiderman Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr. Khoday joined the faculty in 2012 and is an associate editor and regular contributor to the Criminal Reports published by Thomson Reuters and is a co-author of the National Judicial Institute’s Criminal Essentials eLetter.

He earned his JD from the New England School of Law in Boston, and his LLM and Doctor of Civil Law from McGill University in Montreal.

He has won awards for both his teaching and research including the prestigious Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the Humanities in 2021, and he previously won the Barney Sneiderman Award in 2020.

“I am tremendously honoured to have received this award again. This is in part due to the immense esteem many graduates and colleagues hold Barney Sneiderman,” said Khoday. “It is also gratifying that my approaches to teaching and excitement about the topics I address, resonate strongly for various people. Thank you to those who nominated me. Lastly, it is a privilege working in a faculty with so many colleagues who are thoughtful and devoted to their teaching.”

Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence for Sessional Instructors (Practising Professionals)

This award is given in recognition of professional commitment beyond the call of duty to the student experience, innovative teaching methods, development of instructional materials, coaching of students in competitions, or contributions to student development outside the classroom.

Dr. Richard Jochelson presents Allison Fenske with the 2025 Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Allison Fenske joined the Faculty of Law in 2023 as Clinical Counsel.

Caption: Dr. Richard Jochelson presents Allison Fenske with the 2025 Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence.Allison Fenske joined the Faculty of Law in 2023 as Clinical Counsel.

She is a member of the clinical practice team which includes acting as Director of the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre – a long-standing partnership with Legal Aid Manitoba providing law students with the opportunity to represent individuals who would not otherwise receive legal aid. She is also part of leading the newly formed International Human Rights Clinic. Allison has taught courses at the Faculty of Law as a sessional instructor.

Allison obtained her LLB from the University of Manitoba in 2007 and since then, her legal practice has primarily focused on human rights, administrative and constitutional law, navigating legal issues through a lens of social inclusion and advancing the rights of people and communities marginalized through state and systemic oppression.

Allison was also recognized this year at the University of Manitoba’s Student Teacher Recognition Reception (STRR) when Cody Buhay (3L) chose her as the educator who made the most impact on his post-secondary career.

“One of the Faculty’s greatest strengths is its innovative approach to experiential learning,” said Fenske. “It’s a privilege to support and empower students as they move from theory to practice, developing their legal skills and cultivating a commitment to access to justice. I am beyond honoured to receive this award, but the real reward is being a part of students’ learning journeys as they grow into formidable advocates.”

Reaching out to professors, staff, instructors and students via email, he described the day as “a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island.”

This time of year following convocation and the conclusion of the academic term also offers an opportunity to look back and examine what steps the Faculty of Law has taken along the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.

In an episode of the Robson Radio podcast, Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Servicesgives the law school a decent report card but admits there is more work to be done. Here is a glimpse of some events held at the Faculty of Law this past year, which barely scratch the surface of changes being made to move legal education in Manitoba towards Reconciliation.

Second Annual Conference of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin: Engaging in Economic Reconciliation

Law student Cody-Wyoming Clark introduces Dennis Meeches at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin

The second annual conference of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Indigenous Inaakonigewin was held in the Moot Courtroom at Robson Hall on September 20, 2024 and also served as the Faculty of Law’s annual Homecoming event. As such it served to focus alumni attention on this important topic of Reconciliation, reaching a significant audience throughout the legal profession in Manitoba.

 The conference theme was “Engaging in Economic Reconciliation”, and brought together academics, members of the legal community, Indigenous community leaders and business partners. Panelists discussed several major projects currently ongoing in Manitoba with academics filling in theory and history behind the overall need for Economic Reconciliation. The keynote speaker was Angie Bruce, VP Indigenous at the University of Manitoba, and co-hosts along with the Faculty of Law included the Manitoba Bar Association, the Law Society of Manitoba, and the Manitoba Law Foundation.

Panelists and guest speakers included Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) Grand Chief Jerry Daniels; Ryan Bear, Senior Business Analyst at SCO; Dennis Meeches, former Chief of Long Plain First Nation and current President of Business Relations, Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba; Maeengan Linklater, Director of Operations, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council; Richard Tuck, CEO of Wakopa Financial Workers Co-op; Noah Wilson, a member of the Indigenous Young Entrepreneurs team at Futurepreneur; Yvan Guy Larocque, Indigenous business lawyer specializing in Indigenous Economic Development and Governance; and Derek Nepinak, Chief of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation) and a former grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

The conference was facilitated by Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services at the Faculty of Law, with assistance from staff member Jenna Chemerika, law students Cody-Wyoming Clark, and Janell Jackson, along with participation from SCO Youth Chiefs Tréchelle Bunn and Joshua Gardiner.

Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Lunch and Learn

Kiersten Sanderson, MILSA VP Professional Development helped organize the law student group’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event.

The Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association (MILSA) received funding from the Province of Manitoba from the Orange Shirt Day Fund to support the organization of an event to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 27, 2024, MILSA hosted a lunch followed by educational discussion panel examining the importance of Truth and Reconciliation and the further need to educate about the harms of Residential Schools. Guest speakers included Wendy Whitecloud, retired Faculty of Law Instructor, former Director of Academic Support, former Commissioner on the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission and member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation; Tréchelle Bunn, law student and organizer of an annual Reconciliation Run in her home community of the Birdtail Sioux First Nation (and now its Chief); Jerilee Ryle, Crown Attorney at Manitoba Prosecution Service at the time, now a Judge in the Provincial Court of Manitoba and member of the Lake St. Martin First Nation; and Bradley Regehr, Partner of Maurice Law and member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.

Symposium to Decolonize the Academy & Shape Legal Education in the Spirit of Reconciliation

January 30 and 31 saw Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services, travel to Toronto to lead discussions on the future of Indigenous Legal Education. Representing the UM Faculty of Law, Kruse worked to co-organize this two-day symposium  to review progress of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action number 28, to  require that all law schools teach their students about Indigenous peoples and the law. Attendees included representatives from Canadian law federations, law Deans, and law societies.

The first day of the symposium focussed on the Indigenization and Decolonization of the Legal Academy, with the second day looking at “Collaborative Futures: Walking Together to Shape Legal Education in the Spirit of Reconciliation.” The symposium brought together key individuals in legal educational roles who have major influence and impact on the development of legal education curricula in Canada. The gathering offered major opportunities for these individuals to network and have concrete discussions on further evolving legal education in Canada towards Reconciliation. A final report arising out of the symposium’s discussions and workshop outcomes is forthcoming.

Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association Louis Riel Day Celebration

Members of the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association with guest speakers Andrew Carrier, Sean Oliver, and Will Goodon. The Honourable Minister Renée Cable attended via Zoom.

On February 13, MILSA hosted Louis Riel Day celebrations at Robson Hall, sharing traditional food, music, dancing, and a discussion panel with Métis leaders about their experiences growing up Métis and living with that heritage.

Champion Métis fiddler Jason Lepine performed while guests filled the Common Room to share a feast from Bistro on Notre Dame. A Bannock Bake Off showcased law students’ baking talents, and champion Métis Jiggers Jordan Flett and Sarah Shuttleworth (2L) performed.

A Métis Leaders panel in the Moot Courtroom consisted of Andrew Carrier, Manitoba Métis Federation Minister; Renée Cable, Manitoba Member of Legislative Assembly for Southdale and Minister of Advanced Education and Training; Will Goodon, MMF Minister, and Sean Oliver, Métis Educator. All answered questions from law students about being Métis, and experiencing Métis culture and heritage in Manitoba. Each speaker had compelling and moving stories to tell which served to educate and enlighten audience members in meaningful ways.

Concluding Message from the Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services

Marc Kruse, Director of Legal Learning and Services, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba.

As we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, we reflect not only on the rich cultures and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, but also on the responsibility we carry as legal educators and future lawyers to respond to the Calls to Action with clarity, humility, and purpose.

This past year at Robson Hall has been filled with moments of deep learning and growth. From national symposia to student-led events, we have continued to open space for Indigenous voices, experiences, and legal orders within our academic community. We have celebrated, questioned, listened, and taken steps toward reshaping legal education in a way that honours the spirit of Reconciliation. These steps are just the beginning. True reconciliation demands not only inclusion but transformation. It calls us to move beyond acknowledgment into action, to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are not only present but are shaping the future of law in Manitoba and Canada.

To our students, staff, faculty, and partners: thank you for walking this path with courage and curiosity. Let’s keep going—with commitment, with integrity, and with the understanding that reconciliation is a living process, not a finished destination.

Tansi. Miigwetch. Thank you.

— Marc Kruse
 Director, Indigenous Legal Learning and Services
 Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba

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.

Christian, Jewish, and Muslim law students, to be specific. Together. Breaking bread, talking about, how their faith gets them through each day, where to find the best places to study, Professor Irvine’s Property Law class. A Robson Hall classroom was filled with laughter, smiles, the beginning and deepening of friendships, and searches for napkins, cutlery and extra plates.

It was the Dean of Law’s idea, according to three students in leadership roles from each group: Meseret Alem Bowles (3L), Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF); Emily Kalo (1L), Jewish Law Students’ Association (JLSA); and Yomna Eid (2L), Robson Muslim Law Students’ Association (RMLSA).

A Manitoba student chapter of the Canadian national organization Christian Legal Fellowship has existed at Robson Hall for a long time, but for the first time in known memory, a Muslim Law Students’ Association, and a Jewish Law Students’ Association were officially formed last fall – unbeknownst to and independently of each other.

When first Eid and then Kalo independently approached Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, about forming their respective group in November and December of 2024, he immediately saw an opportunity for growing community and finding common ground. Here, for the first time in the law school’s history, were the three Abrahamic faiths forming student groups to support others of their respective beliefs. Why not bring them together?

Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, welcomes Christian, Jewish and Muslim Law Students’ Association members to an inaugural gathering between the three groups. Photo: Christine Mazur

A Welcoming Space

“When the idea for Breaking Bread Together emerged, it struck me as a powerful opportunity to embody the very best of what legal education can offer—a space to foster connection across difference, grounded in shared values and mutual respect,” said Jochelson. “At its core, the legal profession demands more than knowledge; it requires an ethic of collegiality. We are called to engage with one another through dialogue, empathy, and principled disagreement. This event reflected the kind of professional culture we strive to cultivate at Robson Hall: dialogue, listening, shared purpose and freedom to disagree without making each other invisible.”

“I think that it made a lot of sense for our groups to come together, not only because of the clear historic ties, but also the shared values all of us as law students [have],” said Kalo. “We’re pursuing law degrees because we’re passionate about the justice system or international law, human rights, all of these different value points, but fundamentally we also have our own identity-based values. It’s clear in conversations that the three of us have had but also in terms of our religions that there’s clear community values and identity values that are ties. [This event is] an opportunity to get together and really dive deep into not only our passion for law but also our passion for our communities and our identity.”

When she first came to Robson Hall from Ottawa, Eid said she felt doubly isolated – not just as an out-of-province student, but also what seemed like the only Muslim in her class. Now in her second year, she recalled, “In first year, I only met one other Muslim at Robson – and that was by chance. I saw Humaira Jaleel, our MLSA Visible Minority Rep, speak at an event about her work with Healthy Muslim Families to support the Muslim community, and I remember feeling a quiet sense of relief – like, okay, I’m not the only one here. Everybody at Robson has been incredibly friendly, and I have made great life-long friends, but when religion and spirituality are a big part of your life, you can’t help but miss that deeper connection.”

The CLF has always welcomed students of different faiths, creating a space where religion is valued and embraced at Robson Hall. Eid explained, “Even before our group was formed, the CLF created a welcoming environment for Muslim students to connect with others who were grounded in their faith.”

Last year, Eid didn’t feel it was the right time to start a Muslim student group with so few students, but this year, she was surprised to find there were many Muslim students across all years. “We had the numbers to form a proper group and have an executive team. This year felt like the right time to start it.”

The group now has 12 active members.

When the JLSA was ratified as an official student group, Kalo said they needed to identify priorities in terms of what the group hoped to achieve over each year, and noted that building relationships was number one.

“That was something we spoke extensively to Dean Jochelson about,” she said. “That’s why when the CLF reached out, it was the perfect kind of kick-starter to doing that – the idea that fundamentally, we hoped Robson can be a place for interfaith relationships to really thrive and grow and not just on a superficial level but on a concrete level where conversations can be had and disagreements can even be shared but fundamentally that relationship is maintained.”

With each being in a different year of law school, the three student leaders didn’t know each other before organizing the event they called, “Breaking Bread Together”.

Bowles shared the perspective of the Christian Legal Fellowship on being asked by the Dean to organize a welcoming get-together. “As the host of this initiative, CLF is honoured and privileged to be the peacemaker as we’re directed by our faith. CLF executive members are looking forward to continuing this partnership into the future and continue welcoming students of all faiths. I personally wish to also commend many of the CLF members that have welcomed the Muslim and Jewish students to Robson Hall long before this initiative came into existence. It goes to show the values that CLF holds.”

“Meseret reached out to myself and Emily, sharing that the Dean suggested this event,” said Eid. “We all came together to start planning, and the faculty kindly sponsored the event.”

“Laurelle Harris, the Director of Equity and Transformation, played a key role in supporting our group during our early stages,” said Eid. “When our group first started in November, I met with her to touch base, share the concerns Muslim students were feeling, and explain why this group was so important for the law school community.”

“She mentioned that the Jewish student group had just been created and was surprised that both groups hadn’t existed before,” Eid added. “She said if Emily hadn’t started the Jewish group, she would have suggested it herself — both groups were long overdue at Robson.”

Fostering Conversations

 “The hope is that through fostering this relationship, [we can] create a brave space where, when necessary, we can have these conversations and come at it from a place of mutually trying to understand one another,” said Bowles.

“I think all of us independently and in our communities are having these conversations but I think part of the desire to do something like this was a desire to have those broader conversations to share different perspectives,” said Kalo. “As lawyers, we’re trained to critically think […] and recognize perspectives other than our own but also we’re taught that law is not just […] about the strict law and the word on the paper but it’s also a human practice and there has to be empathy and relational aspects to it. The hope is that as we develop these relationships those conversations can be had, not only more naturally but also more honestly. We’re friends, we’re law students and colleagues and it doesn’t feel like two sides of the aisle coming together – it just feels like law students coming together.”

When thinking about current world events, Eid shared how deeply it affected her and others and recalled not having anyone to talk to about it. “It would just occupy your mind. I remember going to class and hardly being able to focus because of what’s happening in the world. It contributed to that isolation I was mentioning. So having a group rally around you and provide a forum to express those concerns on your mind, while also serving as a platform to communicate students’ needs and aspirations within academic circles, was significant.”

The Dean has been clear about his position of the law school not issuing any particular position on any conflict happening in the world currently between different faiths, and has weathered out a storm of public comment as a result.

The three law students support his position and understand the reason for not making any statements on behalf of the law school regarding taking any sides. “He’s been very honest and quite clear about that position,” said Kalo, “but also that that position is not meant to shut down dialogue and conversation, it’s actually meant to foster it and allow us to talk about these things and not feel like we’re being stifled on either side or in either way by the institution.

“That’s been reiterated to us, obviously acknowledging that there’s lines when it comes to racism or discrimination that won’t be crossed, and that the university does have a hard stance on those things,” she added, “But that in terms of politics, the nature of being in law school is also being able to talk politics and discuss those things.”

Eid agreed that not having difficult conversations with fellow law students would only do a disservice to everyone. “We should have a safe intellectual space to freely express our differing views, civilly and professionally, and it’s okay to agree to disagree,” she said. “Most media portrayals of religious groups focus on the differences among us, but I believe, and this is why I founded the group, that there are more things that connect the three Abrahamic religions than what differentiates us.”

“Beyond the clichés of the usual interfaith dialogue, we don’t intend to focus on specific religious beliefs when we meet,” she continued. “This is more about being law students grounded in religion, connecting that to our profession, and learning how to engage with people of different faiths in our careers while promoting cultural awareness. The richer, more intellectual conversations happen when we recognize the similarities upfront.”

Laurelle Harris, K.C., Director of Equity & Transformation and the Internationally Trained Lawyer Program with Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. Photo by Christine Mazur

The students shared that Laurelle Harris had been doing listening circles with law students with the goal of bringing the separate groups of students together as a “Robson Hall” community. “Creating these different safe spaces for independent communities to come and share, but also then creating intersectional opportunities [is] the ultimate vision,” said Kalo. “That’s also the vision that we have when we’re talking about our three groups working together […] having intersectional opportunities to embrace our faiths and communities and cultures. That seems at least to me the direction that Robson is ultimately trying to go in as well.”

At the event itself, about seven JLSA, 12 RMLSA, and 8 CLF members attended. The Dean did a land acknowledgement and said a few words about the importance of supporting each other and promoting acceptance. Then, while waiting for the food to arrive, students from each group were invited to answer each other’s questions about how aspects of their respective faiths influence or motivate their legal studies and how they envision their career paths.

The conversations that were held over the meal are their own private business, but they can safely be speculated to have ranged from how their faith gets them through each day, to finding the best places to study, to Professor Irvine’s Property Law class.

The students plan to make this gathering an annual event. Further, a new faith-based committee is being formed within the Manitoba Law Students’ Association (MLSA), aimed at advocating for faith communities and promoting inclusivity within student life at Robson Hall.

“When MLT Aikins agreed to continue sponsoring the room’s upgrades, we reflected on evolving modalities of teaching and learning innovations with our post-pandemic experiences,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “We realized that since COVID, the seminar format favoured by some professors had – by necessity – become disrupted but that a ‘podcast’ format can allow remote learners to remain engaged in the discussion.”

The intent of the podcast studio is for student groups, professors and various Faculty of Law staff interested in using podcast formats for conducting courses, research or learning events, to have a comprehensive in-house studio at their fingertips. Of course, the equipment is also intended to record actual podcasts, such as Robson Radio, the official podcast of the Faculty of Law, hitting the air in January of 2025, and the recently launched Footsteps podcast produced by Dr. Mary Shariff, Director of the Master of Human Rights program.

“We embraced the podcast opportunity to help showcase the innovative Master of Human Rights program at the University of Manitoba,” said Shariff. “This engaging format leverages technology to make information about the MHR program and the phenomenal work going into advancing and protecting human rights accessible to a broader audience, including potential and current students, as well as interested folks in Canada and around the world.”

The first three Footsteps episodes have featured a number of fascinating interviews including one with Dr. Laura Reimer, former MHR Program Practicum Co-ordinator and now Director of Program Development for the Faculty of Law.

With the application deadline for the MHR program falling annually on December 1, Shariff jumped at the opportunity to promote it. “This unique interdisciplinary educational program is the first of its kind in Canada, bridging multiple faculties and recognizing and drawing on the diverse lived experiences and aspirations of our students. Now is the perfect time to embrace innovative accessible tools that encourage and foster engagement around crucial human rights topics and human rights education. We are so grateful to Dean of Law, Richard Jochelson and MLT Aikins for making this possible.”

The Vickars met and spoke with law students at the law school, answering questions and sharing professional life experiences. “Always answer your phone,” Vickar told the students.

Hands-On Learning in a Professional Practice Setting

Carly Lafond, 3L.

Kerry Vickar’s vision was to create a thriving clinic where students could gain practical experience in a law-firm-like environment while in law school. Today, the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic provides students with hands-on experience in areas such as contracts, corporate governance, business structures, intellectual property and more. Third-year student Carly Lafond notes, “The Clinic goes beyond traditional classroom learning – it immerses you in real-world legal practice, so you get a sense of what it’s like to be a practising lawyer.”

Students’ experiences have been further enhanced by the Clinic’s new office at Robson Hall. Opened in September 2023, this modern space fosters community and professional identity, offering a dedicated area for focused, confidential client-related discussions and team collaboration.

Title slide of the students’ presentation

 During the Vickars’ visit, law students Ken Vong (2L) [BComm (Hon)/2020], Kassandra Taverner (3L) [BSc/2020], and Lisa Haydey (3L) [MPT/2020] gathered in the clinic space’s board room to present to the Vickars on the profound impact their Clinic experiences have had on their professional growth. All three have been actively involved with the Clinic each year they have been at law school, and they shared the foundational skills they have developed, including conducting solution-oriented legal research, drafting documents, and meeting with clients. The presenters also highlighted opportunities such as leading educational sessions, attending conferences, managing Clinic social media, and developing public education resources.

Using Advanced Legal Technology

A standout feature of students’ Clinic experience is the use of advanced legal technology. Students use Clio, a leading cloud-based law practice management system, to manage client files, share legal documents securely, and improve team efficiency. SharePoint, another essential tool, allows students to access practice resources, templates, and legal information, enhancing teamwork and collaboration. These technologies help students embrace legal innovation, preparing them to deliver high-quality services as future legal entrepreneurs.

Learning and Sharing Knowledge About Intellectual Property (IP)

Kassandra Taverner, 3L

The Clinic has also helped students develop expertise in intellectual property (IP), an increasingly important area for entrepreneurs in all sectors. “Understanding the role of copyright and IP rights, and how to protect them, is crucial for businesses,” notes Kassandra Taverner. “The Clinic has given us the knowledge to help clients protect their most valuable assets. It’s impactful to be able to pass this expertise onto our clients and watch them tackle their goals with confidence.”

Experiencing Meaningful Impact

Lisa Haydey, 3L.

Students also shared how meaningful their Clinic experiences have been, particularly regarding the positive contributions they’ve been able to make in their community. Lisa Haydey says, “Helping real clients with legal problems has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my law school experience. We’re incredibly grateful to L. Kerry Vickar for making this possible.”

Ken Vong, 2L.

Students are especially proud of their role in improving access to legal services for underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Ken Vong notes, “Our Clinic helps entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups who do not have adequate access to legal services. Knowing we are making a difference and helping launch businesses and non-profits in providing needed services is incredibly fulfilling.”

Practice-Based Education

Dean of Law, Dr. Richard Jochelson, emphasizes, “The Business Law Clinic exemplifies how a practice-based education can provide practical experience at law school and shape the next generation of lawyers. By focusing on community engagement, particularly with groups who have been underserved, the Clinic prepares students to be confident, practice-ready, and inspired to create a more accessible legal system for innovators and creatives. The transformational support of L. Kerry Vickar has been instrumental in realizing this vision, empowering students and expanding the Clinic’s reach to make a meaningful impact in our community.”

Relationship Building

Kaeten Wadwa, 3L.

After the presentation, the Clinic’s current team of 20 third-year students participated in a “Question and Answer Lunch and Learn” with the Vickars. Kerry’s advice on how to build strong client relationships resonated deeply with students. Third-year student Kaeten Wadwa says, “Kerry reminded us that great lawyers don’t just know the law; they make clients feel heard and valued. We are lucky to be part of a Clinic that embodies this philosophy, as Kerry has truly put that into practice by taking the time to meet with us, and by caring so much about our law school experience that he wanted a physical Clinic space established at Robson Hall where students can gain practical experience. We feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Clinic.”

Bright Future

The future of the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic looks bright, as it continues to provide law students with invaluable experience and support the Manitoban community. The Clinic will remain a vital resource, helping future generations of students and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business law on their paths to success – with thanks to the vision of law school alumnus and entrepreneur Kerry Vickar.

Ancillary police powers, while not explicitly granted by statute, emerge as necessary tools for police to perform their duties effectively. These discretionary powers are often justified on pragmatic grounds but can occupy a legal grey zone, raising significant questions about their scope and alignment with constitutional principles. The book explores how these powers are employed in everyday policing contexts, such as home searches, bodily searches, temporary detentions and traffic stops, and considers their broader implications for civil liberties and systemic inequities.

“Our legal system relies on a careful balance between empowering state actors and protecting individual rights,” said Dr. Jochelson. “This book challenges conventional assumptions by examining how ancillary police powers operate in practice and underlines the importance of rethinking their role in a just society. By questioning these entrenched mechanisms, we aim to catalyze a deeper, more critical engagement with the foundations of our criminal justice system.”

The book also delves into the historical development of ancillary powers and how they are shaped by judicial interpretation, often reflecting the tension between state necessity and individual freedoms. These discussions are situated within a broader critique of the ways discretionary policing impacts marginalized communities and perpetuates systemic inequalities.

Described by UBC Press as “a sophisticated, timely, and substantive investigation,” the book is designed to appeal to academics, legal practitioners, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the intersection of law and social justice.

University of Manitoba alumna Lauren Gowler [BA/18, JD/23], who recently completed her Master of Laws at Queen Mary University of London, co-authored several chapters.

Ancillary Police Powers in Canada offers a critical reevaluation of how these discretionary powers operate within the legal framework, urging readers to consider their potential for reform.

The book is available from UBC Press and is part of its Law and Society series.

“While traditional law school courses provide students with the skills and knowledge required to “think like a lawyer,” experiential learning allows students to become empathetic, skilled advocates who will be better equipped to respond to the legal challenges of the communities we serve,” said Elizabeth McCandless, Director of Clinics and Editor-in-Chief of the new publication.

“Learning by hands-on experience as soon as possible in one’s legal training is an invaluable way to develop skills that will be essential throughout one’s legal career,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “Expanding the Faculty of Law’s clinics and practice opportunities for our students has been a big priority for us and we are proud to share the results of our efforts in this publication.”

The report shines a spotlight on the nine externship placement opportunities available for law students, including the Faculty’s more than half century relationship with Legal Aid Manitoba’s University of Manitoba Community Law Centre, which has now expanded to include a Prison Law Clinic. The Legal Help Centre continues to be an essential training ground for law students after over a decade, while new clinics include the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic, and the Law Library Hub Externship. The L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic has added a dimension in the form of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, and students continue to work for the Manitoba Law Reform Commission, the Manitoba Department of Justice, the Public Interest Law Centre, and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.

Moot competitions, clerkships at the Manitoba Court of Appeal and the Court of King’s Bench, and volunteer opportunities are also significant experiential opportunities that help our law students develop into legal professionals with advocacy experience before starting their articles.

The UM Faculty of Law’s Experiential Learning Report 2024 is now available to read on the Faculty of Law website. A limited number of print copies are also available by contacting the Robson Hall General Office.