2024 News

Western Law faculty uphold Gerald Fridman’s legacy with seventh edition of contract law treatise

December 02, 2024 - A team of Western Law faculty members are honouring the legacy of the late Professor Emeritus Gerald Fridman with the publication of Fridman's The Law of Contract in Canada, Seventh Edition.

Western law student gains experience, knowledge at HIV Legal Network

November 29, 2024 - Nadia Fyfe found mentorship, opportunity and ‘invaluable feedback’ in summer placement.

Western and Canadian Race Relations Foundation researchers develop tool to aid in prosecution of hate crimes

November 27, 2024 - Recognizing the need for user-friendly research support for prosecutors to find and analyze case law on hate crimes, researchers from Western’s Faculty of Law and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) teamed up to develop Hate Indicators: A Canadian Hate Crime Case Law Research Tool.

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 always been her north star, but it’s only one part of her story. With the launch of her spoken word poetry collective Spoken Culture in 2024, she’s now helping other artists find community and support for their craft.

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.

300 words on restorative justice

November 05, 2024 - Professor Melanie Randall explains restorative justice 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 law.

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 clinic. This partnership will foster access to justice and provide needed legal information for self-represented parties pursuing trademark applications.

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 damages to smokers and ex-smokers in Canada.

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 Construction Co., 2024 SCC 31 and Scott v. Golden Oaks Enterprises Inc., 2024 SCC 32.

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 neurobiology of trauma in a sexual assault trial.

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 establish the Lerners LLP Women in Law Lecture at Western Law.

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 Law Research Group Public Lecture of the 2024-25 academic year.

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 arrests in connection with the use of suicide pods.

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 Abdoul Aziz, de facto chief of the Islamic police, of gender-related charges against him.

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 Lake Winnipeg as a living entity.

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 "Swimming Up Niagara Falls!" about the fight to include disability rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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 mental health issues in the legal profession.

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 unhealthy foods to children in an effort to address obesity.

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 sabbatical thanks to a new partnership between the two institutions.

‘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 speaker Justice Charles Chang (LL.B. ’00) advised that professionalism must guide each step on their path.

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 the Toronto courthouse is falling short on meeting the province’s accessibility legislation.

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 Prosecution Service of Canada in June.

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 recently spoke to Acting Dean Botterell about what he most appreciates about Western Law, his plans for the upcoming year and his past and current scholarship.

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 into systemic racism within the force.

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 found regarding gender-based persecution in the International Criminal Court's Al Hassan case and offer reflections and critique.

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 support for men.

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 exemplary service to clients, peers, students and the legal community was recognized by the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) with the 2024 Joel Kuchar Award for Professionalism and Civility.

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 overview of the decision of the International Criminal Court in the Al Hassan case as it relates to forced marriage.

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, tort theories, unjust enrichment and remedies are a complement to Western Law’s strength in private law theory.

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 the CRA.

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 media companies and the feasibility of success in court.

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 their families enjoyed remarks from keynote speaker Rosemary McCarney and valedictorian Konner Fung-Kee-Fung.

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 Canada.

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 accomplishments of his fellow graduates. It’s the support of these peers and friends, along with the accessibility of faculty members and alumni, that has been the defining feature of his time at Western. In this Q&A, Fung-Kee-Fung reflects on the past three years, eyes the future and offers advice to the next generation.

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 one yet – a doctorate in law. He also carries another distinction: At 77, Hansen is the oldest of more than 8,500 Western students graduating this spring.

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 a former senior vice-president of human resources for 3M Company. She is a dedicated community volunteer with past board experience leading several local charities and corporations and was honoured as a YMCA Woman of Excellence.

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 Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Five law students from an upper-year public law course joined him on the trip to Ottawa to experience the legislative process in action and help champion air travel accessibility.

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 Legal Profession" and discussed the current state of mental health in the legal profession.

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 potential of legal education through his research.

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 The Legal Profession, published April 30, 2024, Professor Thomas Telfer continues his advocacy on the need to reform attitudes toward mental health. With candid essays from members of the legal profession living with mental health and addiction issues, the book provides encouragement while challenging how mental health is perceived in law and beyond.

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. We’re pleased to share a roundup of performance highlights from the 2024 winter term moot season.

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 existing international space law on whether, when and how space resources can and should be extracted.

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 misconduct of public officials and corporate actors – through the lens of litigation, rights, and legal accountability. As we grapple with a broad spectrum of global challenges, the need for highly educated lawyers has never been greater. Western Law is pleased to launch our 2024 - 2029 Strategic Plan, which rises to meet this moment of disruption – in our society, in our profession, and in higher education.

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 regarding Flair Airlines' troubled financial situation. He provided insights on the process of companies and creditors registering their interests in properties.

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 broad array of forces, including the air, water, fire, rocks, plants, insects, fish, birds, and animals, that are at the heart of Anishinaabe law and constitutionalism. In his lecture titled Indigenous Law & the More-than-Human World, Professor Borrows highlighted how engagement with Anishinaabe law – and Indigenous legal systems more broadly – can reveal potential gaps and shortcomings in Canadian law and constitutionalism.

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 Aamjiwnaang First Nation, in order to bring to life the units in the course on the Environment, Climate Change and the Constitution of Canada, and on Indigenous Peoples and the Constitution of Canada. The tour, led by Aamjiwnaang community members, activists and siblings Vanessa and Beze Grey, enables participants to see firsthand the impacts of environmental pollution on their community at the hands of over 60 high-emitting chemical and oil refineries.

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 ’22) to attend the seventh Canadian Association for Food Law and Policy Conference at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Van Boekel was selected to present his paper from Lambek’s Food Law course, titled “Putting Down Roots: Assessing New Entrant Programs for Dairy and Broiler Farmers in Ontario,” which earned him the Gowling WLG - Joel Taller Prize for Emerging Voices in Food Law. Brennen and Tomic were also selected to speak at the conference, while Crudo joined Van Boekel and Lambek on the organizing committee.

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 spearheading equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives and helping to lift and mentor BIPOC lawyers.

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 Université de Montréal, hosted an international workshop on the law of nuisance at UWI’s Cave Hill campus. The title of the workshop drew on two famous locations from the jurisprudence on nuisance: Victoria Park, a raceway in Australia, and Tate Gallery, a modern art museum in England.

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, February 13, 2023. In her talk, “Read it Again: Palsgraf as Guide for the Perplexed,” Professor Van Praagh encouraged the audience of students, faculty, and members of the bar to reread the famous 1928 New York Court of Appeals case in an integrated and transsystemic way.

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 formal search process for a new Dean in the coming weeks Professor Andrew Botterell, who currently serves as Associate Dean (Academic), will be the Acting Dean for one year beginning July 1.

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 opportunities with a $100,000 donation for a new scholarship and award in honour of Dale Ponder (LL.B. ’80).

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 Michael Tulloch and Yola Grant, former Associate Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) to campus on March 4 to celebrate the culmination of Black History Month.

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 southwestern Ontario are in search of affordable legal services to protect and scale-up their businesses. The Western Intellectual Property and Innovation Legal Clinic (WIPILC) was established in September 2021 as a specialized intellectual property (IP) clinic at Western Law to help respond to this growing demand.

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 building a disability practice and a thriving vineyard.

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 Veltman.

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 article regarding the world junior hockey sexual assault case and London Police chief's apology.

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 brand for Sport Solution and relaunch the legal Clinic’s official blog on AthletesCAN.ca.

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’ perceptions of race.

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 bhasin consulting inc., a renowned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting firm. In June 2023, she released her second book We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging. For the 2023 issue of the Western Law alumni magazine, we sat down with Bhasin who shared her expertise on all things belonging, equity, diversity, inclusion.

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 to the Canadian orchestral community, and for her sustained support for youth involvement in music. Brott is in good company with thirteen other members of the Western community who were recognized for Canada's highest national, provincial and municipal honours in 2023.

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 International Criminal Justice during this five-year term.

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