Faculty News
Crafting her own narrative: Michelle Owusu-Ansah finds purpose in poetry and law
November 07, 2024
For third-year law student and spoken word poet Michelle Owusu-Ansah, attending law school is a childhood dream realized. Becoming a lawyer has ...
300 words on restorative justice
November 05, 2024
Professor Melanie Randall explains restorative justice in the fall 2024 issue of the Western Alumni Magazine.
Space justice
November 05, 2024
Professor Valerie Oosterveld discusses her scholarship and emergent issues in space law in the fall 2024 issue of the Western Alumni Magazine.
Law grad earns third master’s degree at Western – at age 78
October 24, 2024
Just a few months shy of his 79th birthday, Trevor Holness, MBA’73, MSc’21, is crossing the stage to receive his master of studies in ...
Intellectual Property and Innovation Legal Clinic becomes partner legal clinic for Trademarks Opposition Board
October 21, 2024
The Western Intellectual Property and Innovation Legal Clinic (WIPILC) has been selected as a Trademarks Opposition Board (TMOB) partner legal ...
Expert insight: Big Tobacco nears $24 billion settlement to end Canada lawsuits
October 18, 2024
Professor Jacob Shelley provided comment to Reuters regarding a proposed landmark settlement in which Big Tobacco will pay C$32.5 billion in ...
Expert insight: SCC sheds new light on corporate attribution rules, applies them for first time to bankruptcy cases
October 16, 2024
Professor Alfonso Nocilla provided comment to Law360 regarding two recent bankruptcy cases, Supreme Court of Canada decisions, Aquino v. Bondfield ...
Expert insight: Hoggard decision is a step backward for sexual-assault trials
October 10, 2024
Professor Melanie Randall published an op-ed in Policy Options about a judge's decision to reject the need for expert evidence on the ...
Lerners LLP supports establishment of new Women in Law lecture series
October 01, 2024
Recognizing the importance of knowledge sharing and mentorship for aspiring female lawyers, Lerners LLP has generously donated $50,000 to ...
Catherine Sharkey on Tort Liability and Insurance
October 01, 2024
On September 24, 2024, Catherine Sharkey, the Segal Family Professor of Regulatory Law and Policy at NYU School of Law, delivered the first Tort ...
Expert insight: ‘Suicide pod’ death in Switzerland sparks controversy
September 26, 2024
Global National News interviewed Professor Jacob Shelley and Visiting Research Professor David Lepofsky in a story about Switzerland police making ...
Expert insight: The pursuit of gender justice
September 23, 2024
Professor Valerie Oosterveld was quoted in a New Yorker article about the International Criminal Court’s decision to acquit Al Hassan Ag ...
Expert insight: Southern Chiefs ask courts to give Lake Winnipeg Charter rights
September 23, 2024
CBC Manitoba quoted Professor Michael Coyle in an article about a lawsuit filed by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization seeking declaration of ...
Expert insight: The fight to enshrine disability rights
September 23, 2024
Visiting Research Professor David Lepofsky appeared on TVO's The Agenda to discuss his own journey with disability and his work ...
Expert insight: Exploring mindfulness and mental health in the legal profession
September 23, 2024
Professor Thomas Telfer appeared on an episode of the Illuminating Wisdom podcast, hosted by Marcia Narine Weldon, where he discussed the pressing ...
Western Research Excellence Awards recognize leading scholars
September 13, 2024
Professor Ryan Liss was recognized with an Outstanding Emerging Scholar Award in the 2024 Western Research Excellence Awards.
Expert Insight: Junk food ad bans alone won’t fix Canada’s obesity problem
September 10, 2024
Professor Jacob Shelley was quoted in a CBA National Magazine article about proposed Health Canada regulations limiting the advertising of ...
Professor David Sandomierski named among inaugural Western Massey Fellows
September 06, 2024
Professor David Sandomierski is one of two Western University professors who will maintain a presence at Massey College during his 2024-2025 ...
‘Be better tomorrow than you are today’: JD class of 2027 steps into the legal profession
September 06, 2024
As the JD class of 2027 began their collective journey into the legal profession at Western Law’s Induction Ceremony on September 3, keynote ...
Expert insight: Toronto courthouse slammed for failing to be the accessible space it was promised to be
August 30, 2024
The Toronto Star has recently featured the advocacy of visiting research professor David Lepofsky who is drawing attention to the ways in which ...
Setting a new precedent: George Dolhai (LL.B. ’87) named Director of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada
August 29, 2024
Following a distinguished thirty-plus year career as a public prosecutor, George Dolhai (LL.B. ’87) was named Director of the Public ...
Acting Dean Andrew Botterell shares his vision
August 28, 2024
Professor Andrew Botterell has agreed to assume the role of acting dean during the university’s search for Western Law’s next dean. We ...
Expert insight: Expect resistance and pushback as you try to change systemic racism in policing, experts warn
August 09, 2024
Assistant Dean, Sunil Gurmukh was quoted in a CBC News London article regarding the findings from the London Police Service's investigation ...
Expert insight: Al Hassan: The ICC’s First Judgment on Gender Persecution
August 09, 2024
In this two part blog post, Professor Valerie Oosterveld and Rosemary Grey (University of Sydney) explain what the Majority and separate judgments ...
Expert insight: Professor Houston discusses spousal support for men
July 31, 2024
Professor Claire Houston appeared as a guest on Feldstein Family Law Group's online video series "Ask Andrew" to discuss spousal ...
Living her values: Katie DiTomaso ’03 earns OBA award for professionalism and civility
July 26, 2024
For civil litigator Katie DiTomaso, LL.B. ‘03, law offers a rewarding and enriching outlet for a lifelong passion for service. In June, her ...
Expert insight: Forced Marriage in the Al Hassan Trial Judgment
July 24, 2024
In a blog post for OpinioJuris, Professor Valerie Oosterveld and co-authors Professors Melanie O'Brien and Kathleen Maloney provide an ...
Tort law scholar Professor Maytal Gilboa joins Western Law
July 18, 2024
Maytal Gilboa, PhD, will join Western Law as an associate professor in January 2025. Gilboa’s research expertise in the areas of tort law, ...
Expert insight: Sask. faces uphill battle in carbon tax lawsuit with CRA, legal experts say
July 10, 2024
Professor Rory Gillis was recently quoted in a CBC article regarding the carbon tax lawsuit initiated by the government of Saskatchewan against ...
Expert insight: Schooling social media giants
July 05, 2024
Professor Erika Chamberlain spoke to CBA National Magazine about the ongoing lawsuit by a group of Canadian school boards against major social ...
McCarney: Graduates must dare to "disturb the universe”
June 28, 2024
On June 21, Western Law celebrated the class of 2024 and award recipients at the Convocation Awards Ceremony at RBC Place where graduates and ...
Dean Chamberlain's parting top 10 list for 2023-2024
June 27, 2024
As she concludes her term as Dean, Professor Erika Chamberlain reflects on the highlights of the past academic year at Western Law.
Expert insight: 'Very narrow': Here's why 'hate crimes' are rarely charged and almost never prosecuted in Canada
June 19, 2024
Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, EDID, Sunil Gurmukh was quoted in a National Post opinion piece about what constitutes a hate crime in ...
JD valedictorian emphasizes importance of community, persistence
June 18, 2024
Being elected as valedictorian is an honour Konner Fung-Kee-Fung (JD / MBA ’24) doesn’t take lightly as he’s keenly aware of the ...
Paul Hansen (PhD '24) earns fourth Western degree at 77
June 10, 2024
When Paul Hansen crosses the stage at his convocation ceremony on June 21, he’ll be receiving his fourth Western degree, and the toughest ...
Professor Claire Houston recognized for teaching excellence
June 04, 2024
For exemplary dedication to student development, Houston was named the recipient of Western Law’s 2024 Award for Teaching Excellence.
Marlene McGrath (LLB’86) elected vice-chair of Western's Board of Governors
June 03, 2024
Marlene McGrath (LLB’86) has been elected as vice-chair of Western's Board of Governors. She first joined the board in 2022. McGrath is ...
Western Law faculty, students advocate for accessible air travel
May 30, 2024
Western Law’s visiting research professor of disability rights David Lepofsky was invited to appear at a recent hearing of the House of ...
Expert insight: Lawyers, judges and law professors share personal struggles with mental health
May 22, 2024
Professor Thomas Telfer spoke to CBC London about his new co-edited book "The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in ...
The problem becomes the path
May 08, 2024
In this article from the 2023 edition of the Western Law Alumni Magazine, Professor David Sandomierski shares how he aims to maximize the ...
Professor Telfer extends mental health advocacy with release of “The Right Not to Remain Silent”
April 30, 2024
As a co-editor (with Beth Beattie and Carole Dagher) and contributing author for The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in ...
Celebrating a season of student advocacy excellence
April 18, 2024
During the 2024 winter term, Western Law students made a strong showing at over 15 for-credit and extra-curricular advocacy competitions. ...
Expert insight: As Space Exploration Takes Off, Governance Struggles for Lift
April 16, 2024
In this article for the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Professor Valerie Oosterveld discusses the current limitations of ...
Western Law launches 2024-2029 Strategic Plan
April 15, 2024
Our society frames some of its most pressing issues – whether climate change, international conflict, the pursuit of equality, or the ...
Expert insight: Flair Airlines cuts over 600 flights as it faces multimillion-dollar financial woes
April 12, 2024
Professor Alfonso Noscilla, an expert in corporate insolvency, contracts, and commercial law, was featured in a recent Globe and Mail article ...
Professor John Borrows highlights lessons from Anishinaabe law and constitutionalism at Coxford lecture
April 12, 2024
At the 2024 Coxford Lecture on March 11, Professor John Borrows, the Loveland Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Toronto, explored the ...
Toxic Tour of Chemical Valley illustrates the impact of environmental injustice on Indigenous and working-class communities
April 03, 2024
Professor Wade Wright brought his Current Issues in Public Law students to experience a “Toxic Tour” of Chemical Valley and ...
Students and faculty explore the interconnectedness of food systems at seventh Canadian Association for Food Law and Policy Conference
April 02, 2024
Last semester, Jacob Van Boekel joined Professor Nadia Lambek and fellow students Noah Brennen (3L), Anthony Crudo (2L) and Darinka Tomic (PhD ...
Breaking the Mould: Kristina Milbourn leads by example as Head of Litigation at Rogers Communications
March 28, 2024
The article from the 2023 edition of the Western Law Alumni Magazine shares how Kristina Milbourn (LL.B. '08) is leading by example through ...
Western Law Co-hosts International Workshop on The Law of Nuisance 'From Victoria Park to the Tate Gallery'
March 27, 2024
On February 23–24, 2024 Western Law’s Tort Law Research Group, in partnership with the University of the West Indies and the ...
Shauna Van Praagh encourages a re-reading of Palsgraf
March 25, 2024
Professor Shauna Van Praagh delivered the Tort Law Research Group’s second Public Lecture of the 2023-2024 academic year on Tuesday, ...
An Announcement from Dean Erika Chamberlain
March 20, 2024
After seven years as Dean of Western Law, Professor Erika Chamberlain has announced her resignation as of June 2024. The University will begin the ...
Chief Justice Tulloch and Yola Grant share reflections from their journeys through the justice system in honour of Black History Month
March 13, 2024
Western Law and the Western Law Chapter of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada were honoured to welcome Chief Justice of Ontario ...
Osler, Hoskin, and Harcourt LLP honour Dale Ponder (LL.B. ’80) with scholarship and award
March 13, 2024
Long-standing supporters of Western Law, Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP, have generously recommitted to enhancing student financial aid ...
Western Intellectual Property and Innovation Legal Clinic supports researchers and early-stage businesses to navigate the innovation ecosystem
March 05, 2024
With the acceleration of technology and the increasing number of Canadians embracing entrepreneurship many researchers, inventors, and creators in ...
Unbottling Success: Suzanne Dajczak (LL.B. '87) parlays disability practice into thriving vineyard
March 05, 2024
In this article from the 2023 edition of the Western Law Alumni Magazine, Suzanne Dajczak (LL.B. '87) shares her professional journey ...
Expert insight: The Online Harms bill will not chill free speech
March 01, 2024
Assistant dean and professor Sunil Gurmukh writes for the Toronto Star on the Online Harms bill's amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
Expert insight: Professor Andrew Botterell weighs in on Veltman’s sentence
February 26, 2024
CTV’s London spoke with associate dean and professor Andrew Botterell, regarding the precedent setting terrorism conviction of Nathaniel ...
Expert insight: Police chief in London, Ont., apologizes to complainant in hockey sex assault case
February 06, 2024
Professor Melanie Randall, whose work focuses on women's autonomy rights and sexual violence against women, was quoted in a Canadian Press ...
AthletesCAN, Western Law unveil new Sport Solution brand, relaunch legal Clinic’s blog
January 31, 2024
AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, and the Faculty of Law at Western University, are proud to unveil a new ...
Expert insight: RCMP must follow up on race data from officers: scholar
January 19, 2024
Assistant dean and professor, Sunil Gurmukh was quoted in a Law360 article about a new RCMP pilot project aimed at examining officers’ ...
10 Questions with Ritu Bhasin (LL.B. ’00)
January 12, 2024
Ritu Bhasin (LL.B. ’00) is an award-winning speaker, author, and expert in belonging, equity, leadership, and empowerment, and the CEO of ...
Ardyth Brott, LLB’93, named among Western community members earning top national, provincial and municipal honours
January 10, 2024
Western Law graduate, Ardyth Brott, LLB’93, executive director of the Brott Festival, was named to the Order of Canada for her contributions ...
Professor Oosterveld joins current cohort of Western Research Chairs
January 08, 2024
Professor Valerie Oosterveld has been appointed as one of seven Western Strategic Focus Research Chairs. She will focus her research on ...
Is civil disobedience defensible when it comes to climate activism? UBC's Professor Kimberley Brownlee explores
December 20, 2023
In November, Western Law's Legal Philosophy Research Group welcomed Professor Kimberley Brownlee, the Canada Research Chair in Ethics and ...
Support and reporting resources amid the conflict in Israel and Palestine
December 18, 2023
The following is a non-exhaustive list of support and reporting resources amid the conflict in Israel and Palestine and its ongoing impact on ...
Western Law bookshelf: 2023 faculty publications
December 15, 2023
Western Law’s faculty consistently deliver meaningful contributions to the academic landscape that advance legal scholarship. The diverse ...
Western honours Professor Martin Petrin as Outstanding Scholar in Research Excellence Awards
December 08, 2023
Professor Martin Petrin has been named as an Outstanding Scholar in Western University’s inaugural Research Excellence Awards. The Research ...
Blog: Sport Solution Clinic supports public accountability in gymnastics
December 05, 2023
In the longest case AthletesCAN and Western Law's Sport Solution Clinic has ever been involved with, a former Gymnastics Canada coach, Elvira ...
Celebrating the inaugural recipients of the Western Research Excellence Awards
December 05, 2023
Six scholars, including Professor Martin Petrin, recognized for pioneering work in their fields, community advocacy.
New Western Academy research theme explores possibilities for peace in the twenty-first century
November 30, 2023
Beginning in January 2025, the Western Academy for Advanced Research’s newest theme “Exploring possibilities for peace in the ...
Professor Valerie Oosterveld appointed special adviser to International Criminal Court prosecutor
November 27, 2023
Renowned legal scholar Valerie Oosterveld will advise on strategies and policies concerning crimes against humanity.
Western Law student takes control of his story
November 17, 2023
After severe childhood injury, Mason Bruner charts new course with donor help.
Finding harmony: Mark and Randy McAuley create balance with a mix of music and law
November 14, 2023
In this article from the 2023 edition of the Western Law Alumni Magazine, Mark (JD '18) and Randy (JD'15) McAuley share how they create ...
Inspiring Minds: PhD Candidate Chukwuka Achu
November 10, 2023
Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged ...
Pamela Glatt, JD ’16, director of education for Innocence Canada provides introduction to wrongful convictions
November 07, 2023
When Pamela Glatt (JD ’16) was a student at Western Law, a volunteer project for Innocence Canada through her role with Pro Bono Students ...
Sunil Gurmukh appointed Assistant Dean, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization
November 06, 2023
Sunil Gurmukh has been appointed as assistant professor and the assistant dean of equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization (EDID) at ...
Gregory Keating shares reflections on reasonableness and risk
November 02, 2023
Gregory Keating, the William T. Dalessi Professor Law and Philosophy at USC Gould School of Law, delivered the first Tort Law Research Group ...
Bridging the gap: 1L student Anna Wang aims to support immigrant families navigating legal challenges
October 24, 2023
Meet 1L student Anna Wang. Anna's experience as a first-generation immigrant, international student, mother and parent coach gave her clarity ...
A new future for B.C. mineral claims
October 17, 2023
In a collaborative OPED for Canada's National Observer, Professor Sara Ghebremusse, Cassels Chair in Mining Law and Finance, comments on a ...
Are We Dating The Same Guy? Online groups toe the line between protecting women and defaming men
October 06, 2023
Can women be sued in defamation when they use social media to warn other women about men on dating apps with harmful dating behaviour? Dean Erika ...
PhD candidate Joel Welch explores science fiction’s influence on emerging technology regulation
October 06, 2023
PhD Candidate Joel Welch uses science fiction as a tool to explore the consequences and implications of emerging technologies and how legal ...
Blog: Gendered Crime as a Central Focus in the ICC’s Al-Hassan Case
September 22, 2023
Professor Valerie Oosterveld and 3L student, Nicole Dotson co-authored a blog post for The Armed Groups and International Law blog on Gendered ...
Professor Martin Petrin speaks at NUS Law as distinguished visitor
September 21, 2023
Professor Martin Petrin was recently chosen as the National University of Singapore Law's Kwa Geok Choo Distinguished Visitor. In August ...
Incoming Western Law students take pledge of professionalism at Induction Ceremony
September 06, 2023
Kicking off a week of orientation programming for the Class of 2026, Western Law welcomed 190 incoming JD students at the Induction Ceremony on ...
Blog: Sport Solution Clinic identifies gaps in the safe sport system for provincial-level athletes
August 31, 2023
Amanda Fowler and Safiya Nanji of Western Law's Sport Solution Clinic share insights on gaps in the safe sport system for provincial-level ...
Tenth biennial Obligations conference explores private law and the state
August 15, 2023
Leading legal scholars, judges and practitioners from around the world gathered at the picturesque Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in July ...
The Visionary: Louis Frapporti LL.B. '90
August 11, 2023
Louis Frapporti LL.B. '90 shares how his role as managing partner at Gowling WLG fostered his affinity for community engagement that led him ...
Could space (the final frontier) hold climate solutions for planet Earth?
August 11, 2023
Could extracting resources from other celestial bodies help to solve our climate crisis? Visiting Professor Elizabeth Steyn tells the Weather ...
Recognizing the Complexity of Gender in the Crime Against Humanity of Persecution
July 24, 2023
Professor Valerie Oosterveld writes for Just Security about how the International Criminal Court Prosecutor's Policy on Gender Persecution ...
The Connector: Alexa Abiscott LL.B. '03
July 21, 2023
Alexa Abiscott LL.B. '03 is a founding member and President of Women General Counsel Canada. Read her profile from the 2022 issue of the ...
Class of 2023 called to "leave tracks" at Convocation Awards Ceremony
June 30, 2023
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once compelled law graduates to "leave tracks" and "repair the tears in their ...
Ten Western Law students secure prestigious judicial clerkships
June 22, 2023
Keeping pace with a new record set last year, 10 Western Law students have been selected for judicial clerkships. After graduating, Western Law ...
Welcoming Professor Sara Ghebremusse, Cassels Chair in Mining Law and Finance
June 05, 2023
Western Law is pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Ghebremusse, PhD, as assistant professor and Cassels Chair in Mining Law and Finance. ...
AthletesCAN, Western Law announce 2023-25 Sport Solution Program Managers
May 26, 2023
AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes and the Faculty of Law at Western University are pleased to announce the ...
Remembering former professor, Justice Horace Krever
May 11, 2023
We send condolences to the family of former Western Law professor, Justice Horace Krever who passed on April 30, 2023. Justice Krever joined the ...
Professor Wade Wright named 2023-2025 Faculty Scholar
May 10, 2023
Professor Wade Wright, a leading scholar of Canadian constitutional law, has been named a Western University Faculty Scholar for 2023 to 2025. The ...
Inspiring Minds: PhD Candidate Carol Dyck
May 02, 2023
Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged ...
Police violations of Charter rights highlight the need for accountability and transparency
May 01, 2023
Visiting lecturer, Sunil Gurmukh, shares how the data that Western Law's Hidden Racial Profiling Project has uncovered regarding police ...
Professor Oosterveld and CPIJ team honoured with Governor General's Award for Innovation
May 01, 2023
The Canadian Partnership for International Justice (CPIJ), which includes Western Law professor Valerie Oosterveld as a founding member, was named ...
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