Western Law
Josephine Spencer Niblett Law Bldg, Room 243 1151 Richmond Street N6A 3K7 London, ON, Canada

Western Law Gives Back was a big success! Thanks to our amazing students and faculty - Western Law's Student Legal Society has raised $5,343 for Anova, an organization providing support for abused women and their kids. Special shout out to Fogler Rubinoff LLP for their generosity.

Interested in how COVID-19 has impacted international law? Join us for a panel discussion on Tuesday Nov. 24 at 4pm with Western Law professors Valerie Oosterveld & Jacob Shelley, Ubaka Ogbogu (Univ of Alberta) and Fabien Gélinas (McGill). Topics include domestic and global response to the pandemic, failure of international health regulations, investment contracts and the impact of COVID on international refugee law. Presented by the International Law Association and The Public and Private International Law Research Group. https://fb.me/e/1JEag0IRE.

So purple and proud of our outstanding alumni on their Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 Award in 2020! Congratulations to: Caroline Descours LLB’09, Partner at Goodmans LLP, Eric Foster LLB’06, Partner at Dentons LLP, Matthew Lerner LLB’07, Partner at Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP & Jeffrey Levine LLB’07, Partner at McMillan LLP.

The Western Law Gives Back event has now raised over $5000 for ANOVA, an organization providing shelter, support and resources for abused women and their children. Join the grand finale event this evening at 8pm via Zoom showcasing entertainment from Western Law’s talented students and faculty!

Happy Retirement to our wonderful Leanne. Thank you for brightening our days in Chambers with your warmth, kindness and fabulous coffee! You made the law school feel more like a home and you will be truly missed. Congratulations and enjoy the adventures to come!

Join us for a talk by Julie Girard, partner at Davies. Maltreatment in sports has been a known, but little spoken of reality for a concerning number of athletes. Determined to advocate for a sports environment free from abuse and harassment, 4 women, survivors of Bertrand Charest former ski coach, spoke publicly about their experience. Julie will address how their decision to speak out, coupled with legal proceedings, brought awareness, and hope for durable change. Presented by the Distinguished Speakers Committee. Zoom link: https://westernuniversity.zoom.us/j/92584667948. Passcode: 314865

Congratulations to our talented alumnae Katelynn Drake JD’18 of Legate Personal Injury Lawyers, and Rasha El-Tawil LLB’07 of Siskinds LLP, named Top 20 Under 40 by London Inc. Magazine.

Professor Payam Akhavan delivers the annual International Law and Global Justice Lecture on "Justice for Genocide: Reflections on the World Court Rohingya Case". Akhavan is counsel for The Gambia in its case against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice regarding atrocities committed against the Rohingya. He'll explore what justice means to the Rohingya and international law's role in that quest. Nov. 6 at 11am All welcome. Link below to register for this Zoom webinar. https://bit.ly/2HkfiPT

Professor Rande Kostal has been awarded the 2020 John Phillip Reid Prize of the American Society for Legal History for his book "Laying Down the Law: The American Legal Revolutions in Occupied Germany and Japan." The Reid Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for legal-historical scholarship. https://bit.ly/3pKerJQ

Today! John Borrows, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria Law School, speaks on "How Indigenous ethics are relevant to the practice of law". All welcome to attend our Distinguished Speaker series lecture via zoom at 2pm ET. https://bit.ly/2IuucDf

Western Law is pleased to announce the appointment of Athanasios (Akis) Psygkas as Associate Professor beginning January 2021. Psygkas will teach Constitutional Law. Akis has a very impressive scholarly record and I know will make important contributions to our research and teaching in public law, says Dean Erika Chamberlain. https://bit.ly/3523gCq

An important read by Professor Elizabeth Steyn published in The Conversation Canada.

Western’s International Week is coming up and there are lots of events planned including: Nov. 16 Prof. Michael Lynk, UN Special Rapporteur, in conversation on the Situation of Human Rights in Palestinian Territories and on Nov. 19 Western Law French Society hosts a night of francophone games & trivia Check out all the great events on the International week website.

Our admissions team will be at the LSAC Digital Forum Canadian Connections workshop at 3pm today. Join us and visit the Western Law virtual booth, open until 7 pm. Our students will be available to answer questions about the student experience. https://www.lsac.org/schedule

Western Law is hosting a virtual conference, May 14-15, 2021, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bankruptcy Act 1919 the forerunner of Canada’s modernized bankruptcy and insolvency regime. Speakers will reflect on the evolution of bankruptcy and insolvency law (including corporate restructuring) in Canada and internationally, and identify the challenges ahead for scholars, policymakers, and the courts.https://bit.ly/2Hs9kw0

COVID-19 has presented unique challenges for many, including law students. With thanks to a generous gift from Torys LLP, a student support bursary has been established to assist students with demonstrated financial need. Students are facing financial hardship during this global crisis. There’s no more important time to give back than now, says Mitch Frazer who along with Gillian Dingle, Adrienne DiPaolo, Janan Paskaran & other Western Law alumni at Torys LLP supported a new student bursary. https://bit.ly/35E4mF5

Join us for Virtual Fall Preview Day on November 15th! Learn about our JD admission requirements, undergraduate combined degree programs and other unique opportunities at Western Law. Admissions Presentations 11:20 a.m. 11:45 a.m. & 12:20 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Live Q&A with our Admissions Team 11:45 a.m. 12:15 p.m. & 12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Human Rights lawyer Payam Akhavan, counsel for The Gambia in its case against Myanmar before the Intl Court of Justice regarding atrocities committed against the Rohingya, explains how a small west African state is confronting Myanmar at the ICJ for mass killings, rapes, and razing of Rohingya villages. Register for this International Law and Global Justice Lecture held Nov. 6 at 11am on Zoom. https://bit.ly/2HkfiPT

Need a break from course readings? Check out this great list of Faculty book recommendations. From historical fiction to judicial memoirs - this list of thought-provoking books recommended by our professors will inspire, entertain and educate. https://bit.ly/3iK9QlW

We believe that access to justice is a right. And unfortunately, the modern system of justice does not always allow everyone to access that right, says second-year student James Hutchinson, who co-ordinates the Western chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada along with third-year law student Sarah Hagarty. Listen to an interview with James as he discusses the great work done by PBSC to help those in need in the London Community.

Congratulations to Courteney Rickert JD’20 and 3L student Krista Yip-Chuck for their first and second place wins at the annual Insolvency Institute of Canada’s Law Student Writing competition. These two talented women are continuing Western Law’s impressive dominance of this competition. Chris Armstrong was the Faculty sponsor for both winning papers who Rickert says provided great guidance and was instrumental in helping the paper achieve this award. https://bit.ly/36UeQSZ

"Trojan Horse or Existential Threat: The SCC takes on Carbon Charges" Read Professor Elizabeth Steyn's new blog on Supreme Court of Canada hearings whose outcome may chart a course for jurisprudence concerning the global climate crisis. https://bit.ly/34CbjpD

The school year can be tough and stressful for many, especially during these unprecedented times. CMHA Middlesex is back onsite starting tonight through Decembe...r 2nd to offer after-hours crisis counselling support to Western, Brescia, Huron, and Kings students. CMHA After Hours Crisis Counselling: Oct 19-Dec 2 In-person: Monday & Wednesday evenings (UCC 11) Virtual: Tuesday evenings 5-9pm *registration ends at 8pm. To register for a virtual appointment: email your phone number to [email protected] between 5-8pm Tuesdays and an intake worker will call you. Criteria for virtual appointments: must be an Ontario resident, Western student, and able to connect via telephone or internet. Don’t hesitate to drop-in or register for a virtual appointment if you need support! Stay well Mustangs! Western University University Students' Council of Western

Students - Mark your calendars! Exchange information sessions being held October 23 & November 26.

The Sport Solution Clinic is a free, student-run legal clinic at Western Law that provides resources and advocacy for Canadian high-performance Athletes. It’s the only program of its kind in North America. Read their new blog to learn more about the terrific work they do! https://sportsolutionclinic.blogspot.com//welcome-to-sport

Happy #WesternHoco ! Tune in for Western’s Stories & Songs live-streaming tonight at 8ET. Featuring the sweet R&B/ Soul sounds of Juno Award nominated McAuley Boys with #WesternuLaw alumni Randy & Mark McAuley! bit.ly/2IFxiod

Happy Homecoming, Mustangs! We're counting down the hours to tonight's (virtual) coffeehouse with Ivan Coyote, Mina Gerges, Louise Pitre and so many more a...nd then tomorrow's signature Western Stories & Songs with hosted by CTV’s etalk L.A. correspondent, Liz Trinnear, and performances by BAM!, Genevieve Fisher, The McAuley Boys, Rick McGhie and superstar DJ duo and JUNO-award winners, Loud Luxury. And in between? We've got a special Gameday with Donnovan Bennett, Sportsnet and Brodie Lawson, CFL and Coach Greg Marshall. We've got the Golden Anniversary (virtual edition) for alumni celebrating reunion years: 1970, 1965, 1960, 1955, 1950, 1945 and 1940. And on top of all that, your home faculties and affiliates have planned special programming for you. Find it all on the Homecoming website: http://alumni.westernu.ca/events/homecoming-reunions/

Law School Application Workshop: Putting Your Best Foot Forward! Thursday, October 8, 2020 | 12:00pm 1:30pm Registration Required https://bit.ly/3iFKZQe Are you planning to apply to law school in this cycle or the next? This webinar will cover the nuts and bolts of the application process and how to prepare an application that highlights your strengths including Do’s and Don’t’s for the personal statement, autobiographical sketch, and letters of reference.

Thanks to generous donations from alumni Sunil Gurmukh LLB'08 & family, and from our alumni led by Benjamin Reingold JD’13 & Corum Van Esch JD’13, new entrance awards have been established at #westernulaw to enhance racial diversity https://bit.ly/36z3W4F Scholarships are an important step towards removing systemic barriers in the legal profession faced by Black students. The [Awards] signifies that Western Law is committed to nurturing an environment inclusive of all students by recognizing racial stratification in our legal education system." Rivannah Brown Western's Black Law Students' Association

In line with Middlesex-London Health Unit, starting tomorrow the Western COVID-19 testing clinic will prioritize students, staff and faculty most in need of a COVID-19 test. Hours this week are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tuesday to Friday).

Join us on Tuesday October 6 for for two admissions webinars! Register here for mature applicants session taking place at 12:30-1:30 https://bit.ly/2GJgSde and for our access applicants webinar held 2:30-3:30 register here: https://bit.ly/3cXTG7m

Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) has been providing free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice since 1996. This year, that help is needed more than ever and Western Law students are answering the call. https://bit.ly/2GoJokn