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.

Each November, Career Development Coordinator Lisa Griffin brings in guest speakers from the various upper-level courts in Canada, including UM Law alum, The Honourable Mr. Justice Roger Lafrenière [LLB/1982] from the Federal Court, to share information with law students about the benefits of clerking after graduation.

Unique and privileged insight

“I have fond memories of my time spent at Robson Hall and am very proud of being a member of the famous Class of 82,” Lafrenière reminisces. “A few weeks ago, a great majority of us got together to celebrate our 40th Call to Bar anniversary. The Federal Courts’ Law Clerkship Program is a wonderful extension of that learning and social experience. It is an opportunity like no other to spend a year working collaboratively on files involving exciting and evolving areas of the law, including immigration, admiralty, aboriginal, intellectual property law and national security, to name but a few.”

“Clerking with the Federal Courts has many benefits. Aside from improving one’s research, writing and legal analytical skills, the close mentorship by a judge provides a unique and privileged insight into how decisions are made.”

– The Hon. Justice Roger Lafrenière

“The Chief Justice of the Court has repeatedly stressed the importance for diversity, as well as regional diversity on the bench. That holds true for our law clerks who should reflect the society the Court serves,” Lafrèniere emphasises. “We strongly encourage law students from Manitoba, who have been sadly unrepresented over the past few years, to apply.”

Since 2019, one Robson Hall student clerked at the Federal Court of Appeal, three at the Federal Court of Canada, and four at the Tax Court of Canada. Cardinal and Morris are the first two to be going to the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Trina McFadyen [LLB/2000], Director of Professional Development at the UM Faculty of Law, said some law students from Manitoba may consider clerkships at federal law courts to be beyond their reach. “Clerkships are something that UM Law students may not naturally have on their radar as there are no after-graduation clerkship opportunities available through the Manitoba courts, one of the few provinces where this is the case,” says McFadyen. “However, our students have successfully secured judicial clerkships with all levels of court, from the Supreme Court of Canada to various federal and provincial courts.”

“The quality of education received at Robson Hall combined with the calibre of our students mean they have just as good a chance as any Canadian law student in being accepted as a Court clerk. I am working to encourage more students to put in a clerkship application as this is an invaluable experience and will add lasting value to their professional profile.”

– Trina McFadyen [LLB/2000], Director of Professional Development

McFadyen cites local practitioners Dayna Steinfeld [BA/2009, JD/2012], now at Raven Law (Winnipeg) and Sacha Paul [LLB/2002], most recent President of the Law Society of Manitoba and lawyer at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, as examples of UM alumni who clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada and returned to successful careers in Manitoba. In turn, Steinfeld recalls four other Robson Hall graduates who clerked at the SCC including Johanna Caithness (LLB/2007, Fillmore Riley, MB), Jason Roberts (LLB/2010, Dentons, BC), Dan Byma (JD/2012, Fasken, BC), and Miranda Grayson (JD/2015, TDS, MB). Terra Welsh (BA/2004, LLB/2007, TDS) clerked at the Federal Court.

Absolute highlight

Steinfeld, who was recently presented with a Faculty of Law Emerging Leader Alumni Award, clerked for the Honourable Justice Marshall Rothstein after articling. “My clerkship is an absolute highlight of my legal career,” she says. “I gained knowledge and skills that continue to be of immense value in my legal practice. An appellate clerkship is a year-long intensive training course in written and oral advocacy, in high-level and complex research and analysis, and in the most pressing legal issues in the country. The experience has been nothing but an asset in my practice and I encourage all law students to continue pursuing clerkships.”

Steinfeld encourages Manitoba law students to apply for Federal clerkships even if they take students away from home even temporarily. “Many Manitoba lawyers with thriving legal careers have completed clerkships and returned to Manitoba to find great professional success,” she says. “Based on the excellent education and training they receive, Robson Hall students are well-equipped to follow in the footsteps of Manitoba grads who have done clerkships in the past.”

An unparalleled learning experience

Mackenzie Cardinal [JD/2023]

The next generation of law clerks are already appreciating the benefits of clerking. Three months after exiting Robson Hall as a student for the last time, Mack Cardinal can confirm that the rumours are true. “There is really nothing like the clerking experience,” he says. “Not only do you get the opportunity to work alongside very accomplished legal minds on complex and challenging legal questions, but you also forge personal relationships with them that will stick with you after you leave your clerkship.”

“The ability to speak with judges directly and candidly about what you saw in the court room or in a factum is an unparalleled learning experience. It provides an excellent foundation for your written and oral advocacy skills that you will take with you into practice.”

– Mackenzie Cardinal [JD/2023], ABCA Court Clerk

Following his year at the ABCA, Cardinal will article at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Calgary for five months as per Law Society of Alberta requirements. Still mostly unsettled in what he wants to practice, he says he is leaning towards labour and employment or administrative law generally.

Cardinal applied for the clerkship in the first place because “it offers a unique opportunity to pull the curtain back on legal decision making.” He explains, “I thought it would be interesting to see how a decision develops in each stage of the appeal process and the considerations that go into a judge’s reasons.”

Regional Diversity

Matthew London applied after Justice Bruce Russell from the Tax Court of Canada visited Professor Michelle Gallant’s Tax class last November expressly to promote the clerkship opportunity to Manitoba law students. “In speaking with him after class, I found out that he was not hearing cases in Winnipeg that week (the TCC is a travelling court), and made the trip solely to talk to the class. It was then that I understood that the Court was serious about getting applications from a more regionally diverse group – including us here in the prairies. 

Matthew London, Class of 2024.

“I figured it was worth a shot applying. In the fall semester of 2L, I did well, including in Income Tax (important for anyone thinking of applying). I got my reference letters and application all together and sent it off,” says London.

London was first drawn to study law because of the ability it gives someone to work with and help a wide variety of people in a number of different ways. “Law gives you the chance to get to know people and their situation or their business and find a solution for a problem that is unique to them,” he says.

Interested in a career in tax, financial planning, and real estate law, London describes himself as having always been analytical and advocating for what he believes in. “I am happy with the decision I made to study law,” he says. “I have found areas of law which I find interesting and I am looking forward to clerking.”

Happy to encourage other students to apply, he shares the following insights about the process.

Extensive Interview

“I found out in early February that I had been invited to interview in Ottawa. The screening/ interview process was relatively extensive. First, there was a memo assignment on a TCC case two weeks before my interview. 

“At my in-person interview, I had to present another case to a panel of Judges of the Court where they asked me questions and asked for my thoughts on the case I selected. The case I selected was an SCC case, so I had to know how the case and issues had progressed from the TCC to the FCA to the SCC. I was also asked about the other case which I had written a memo for two weeks earlier. I had been prepping for the Bowman Tax Moot at the time of my interview, which I know helped me. 

“At the conclusion of the interview, I was given a tour of the Court premises by Alex Barnes [JD/2022], a current TCC Clerk who is a Robson Hall graduate. I received a call the next day with an offer.”

Despite the rigours of the interview process, London highly recommends law students apply for clerkships post-graduation. “It is a unique opportunity for recent graduates to obtain their articles,” he says. “At the Tax Court specifically, it hires 18 Clerks – all recent graduates. I will get to work directly for Judges who are experts in the field and live in Ottawa for a year.”

One very special opportunity included in clerking at the Tax Court is that it arranges a Career Fair especially for its Clerks. “Large national firms, tax boutiques, the DOJ, CRA and other government departments all come to this event that is put on for the Tax Court Clerks to secure post-clerkship jobs,” says London. “I am looking forward to seeing the opportunities available to me.”

Heather Morris will commence her clerkship with the ABCA in the summer of 2024 and will complete her articles at Norton Rose Fulbright in Calgary. “I was inspired to apply for clerkships because I believe people are our most valuable resource. As such, I see great value in receiving mentorship from esteemed leaders of the legal industry,” says Morris. “I am excited to observe how justices of the Alberta Court of Appeal consider questions of law, perceive different styles of argumentation, and make impartial decisions. Clerkships also allow students to understand a court’s inner workings, which will assist them in reading judgements or litigating in the future.”

“Every clerk I have connected with has spoken highly of the clerking experience. One clerk explained that clerkships allow you to spend more time researching and understanding a question of law without the time constraints and client expectations that come with working at a firm. I look forward to deeply understanding the law and the Alberta Court of Appeal during my clerkship next year.”

– Heather Morris, 3L

Currently, the Faculty of Law offers Clerkships for academic credit to third-year law students at the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench and the Manitoba Court of Appeal. Information about clerking at law courts across Canada after graduation is available on the Faculty of Law website.

Volunteers at the University of Manitoba chapter have gained valuable legal experience in clinical settings, on research projects, and as legal interns throughout the Academic Year. Past partners have included the Community Legal Education Association, the Legal Help Centre, and JusticeTrans. PBSC Volunteer Placements are posted each September with details about the type of project, who the project is for, an overview of the project, and the areas of law the placement engages with. Applications are sent out to students with the postings and are due in September as well, with placements starting in October. Exact dates change year to year, but PBSC will email all students prior to each important recruitment date as well as post on its social media and the MLSA Facebook page. The PBSC Manitoba chapter can be emailed at probono@umanitoba.ca any time throughout the year for more information in regards to recruitment and volunteering with PBSC.

In 2022 – 2023, the PBSC Manitoba Chapter coordinators were Tyson Priebe (2L), and Ashley Bains (3L). They reported that 68 law students participated in PBSC placements over the last year assisting the following 17 organizations:

• Canadian Civil Liberties Association
• Community Legal Education Association
• Community Unemployed Help Centre
• Creative Manitoba
• Elizabeth Fry Society
• JusticeTrans
• Law Society of Manitoba
• Level Justice
• Manitoba Eco-Network
• Manitoba Association of Rights and Liberties
• Manitoba Harm Reduction Network
• Manitoba Law Reform Commission
• New Directions
• Rainbow Resource Centre
• Resource Assistance for Youth
• Sex Workers of Winnipeg Action Coalition
• Winnipeg Food Council

Developing advocacy & research skills

Students worked on a variety of projects that centred around conducting legal research, creating Public Legal Education materials, and directly assisting clients by providing legal information or referrals. All students involved in PBSC learned about the barriers to Access to Justice that many communities face in Manitoba, and received legal research training. However, the specific communities and barriers that students learned about during their volunteer experiences differed between partner organizations. For example, students placed with the Community Unemployed Help Centre would have learned about communities that face barriers to access to justice from their socio-economic circumstances. These students worked to create plain-language documentation for the advocates that assist these individuals navigate the Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) system, which solidified the students’ legal research and plain-language writing skills.

Supervisors and Student Volunteers  

The PBSC-Manitoba Chapter was supervised over the past year by Trina McFadyen, Director of Professional Development. McFadyen graduated from the Faculty of Law in 2000 and practiced law at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP and Great-West Life. McFadyen hands the supervisory reins over this year to Natasha Brown, another alum of the Faculty (Class of 2005), and its new Director of Access to Justice and Community Engagement. Brown, a former family law practitioner, served as Access to Justice coordinator at the Law Society of Manitoba prior to returning to Robson Hall, and was former Legal Director of the Legal Help Centre of Winnipeg.

With Ashley Bains having now graduated (Class of 2023), Erin McIntyre (2L) joins Priebe (now going into his third year) as co-coordinator for 2023 – 2024. Together, they gathered some feedback from fellow law students who volunteered for PBSC last year.

Talia David, who graduates in 2025, volunteered throughout her first year and was placed with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

Through this placement I assisted with transcription and research for a Bail and Pre-Trial Detention Report. I began by visiting the listening room at the courthouse and transcribing my assigned dates, and I was also given the opportunity to continue researching detention and bail related matters across Canada to be utilized in the report. This was an amazing opportunity to not only learn about the conditions of our justice system, but to also be a part of positive change so early on in my legal journey.

Jordan Wagner will enter his second year of law as class representative and will graduate in 2025. He worked with the Community Unemployed Help Centre, a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to unemployed individuals in the community.

Our team developed an Advocate’s Guide to Employment Insurance. We designed the document to help the organizations advocates better assist clients with their EI claims. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to improve my research skills by analyzing EI legislation. Furthermore, I had the privilege of working with an exceptional and highly skilled team. Lastly, volunteering with PBSC allowed me to further develop valuable teamwork and communication skills. Joining PBSC was one of the best decisions that I made during 1L because of the positive impact that our project can have on the community!

Lauren Martin will also graduate in the class of 2025 and volunteered with New Directions during her first year of law school. She worked on a project aimed at providing access to healthcare for marginalized populations. Her contributions included researching provincial and federal legislation to create a plain language document to ensure that every Canadian understands their rights with regards to healthcare. 

I was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with New Directions during 1L. PBSC allowed me to not only gain valuable hands-on experience and skills, but also discover my own potential to make a tangible difference. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, broaden your perspectives, and contribute to causes that resonate with your values. I would recommend to every incoming 1L to sign up with PBSC if they are able!

The PBSC Manitoba Chapter will host its official launch event for the 2023 – 2024 school year on October 6. All law students at the University of Manitoba are invited to watch for an email with details about the program coming from the coordinators this fall.

PBSC Manitoba can be contacted at: probono@umanitoba.ca

Information about the chapter is online:

PBSC Manitoba
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

PBSC Manitoba operates due to the generous funding provided by the University of Manitoba and the following various external funders:

• The Manitoba Law Foundation
• The Manitoba Law Students’ Association
• McCarthy Tetrault
• WestlawEdge Canada
• The Law Foundation of Ontario

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

Jurists

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

Faculty Service Awards

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Service Awards

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

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

Alumni Awards

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

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

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

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

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

Career Development Office

The Faculty has a Career Development Office in which the Career Development Coordinator, Lisa Griffin, organizes events including information sessions and workshops throughout the year on a regular cycle, to keep students informed about job opportunities and training and on their toes from first year to graduation. She maintains the Job Board and engages members of the practicing bar and judiciary to give presentations on what it’s like to clerk at the court or work in public or private practice areas, and meets with students one-on-one to review their resumés, cover letters, discuss networking, job search and interview techniques.

“I love the work I do,” said Griffin. “It is incredibly rewarding assisting our students through their law school journey and witnessing what they do with their careers!”

Director of Professional Development

The Director of Professional Development, Trina McFadyen, is an alumnus of the Faculty of Law and practiced law in Winnipeg for over a decade.   Trina engages with both alumni and colleagues in the legal profession and works to maintain and strengthen the relationship between the Faculty and the practicing bar to benefit students entering the practice. Trina develops resources for law students to assist them with navigating interviews, networking events, finding articling jobs and understanding the in-and-outs of working in the legal profession. As a lawyer who is still connected to the practicing bar, Trina brings a wealth of knowledge to the students of UM Law.

“The best part of my job is when a student succeeds in achieving their dreams!”

– Trina McFadyen, Director of Professional Development

“The Manitoba Bar is unique in that so many of the lawyers in our province also went to law school here, and that includes me,” McFadyen said. “Our alumni and the practicing bar are very giving of their time and knowledge and want to help UM Law students succeed.  I pass along that knowledge, as well as what I learned in my years practicing law, to UM Law students as they navigate their professional goals.”

Manitoba Law Students’ Association – Professional Development Committee

Throughout the year, The PDC works closely with the Career Development Office to provide Robson Hall students with opportunities and resources to build their professional development by encouraging them to attend networking events with firms and practitioners, assisting students in the initial stages of preparing their resumes and cover letters, and collaborating with the CDO to facilitate workshops and panels throughout the school year. Most recently, the PDC organized the Law Banquet, held in-person at the Winnipeg Art Gallery on October 28. This much-anticipated annual event provides law students with the opportunity to sit down with practicing members of the Manitoba legal community to create genuine connections while gaining valuable insight into working in the legal industry. 

“In a professional program, such as law, careers are on students’ minds year-round,” explained Dr. Virginia Torrie, Associate Dean of the Juris Doctor program at the Faculty of Law. “We are active and proactive about fostering skills development and creating career connections and opportunities for JD students.”

Upcoming career development events Faculty of Law students can look forward to include a roundtable with smaller law firms organized by the PDC, a mentorship mixer for first-year law students organized by the Manitoba Bar Association, and ongoing info-sessions and job opportunity postings, circulated by the Career Development Office.