WINTER 2016 ACCESS WINDSOR LAW

REUNION REFLECTIONS A FLURRY OF FALL ALUMNI ACTIVITY INSIDE Read the full story on page 5. THE HONOURABLE RICHARD WAGNER SUPREME COURT OF JUDGE VISITS WINDSOR LAW

The Faculty of Law welcomed Justice Richard During an informal meet-and-greet with Wagner of the as students, Justice Wagner discussed part of our Judge-in-Residence program on clerkships at the Supreme Court of Canada October 26-27. Now in its second year, the and provided some insights into the day-to- program facilitates a dialogue about current day functioning of the Court. Students were legal issues between students, faculty and especially interested in hearing about the judges from around the country. challenges associated with being a justice at While at Windsor Law, Justice Wagner gave the Supreme Court level and learning which

a presentation entitled, “Judicial Activism: A skills prepared Justice Wagner for his role as a judge. Misnomer in our Midst,” to a rapt audience Justice Richard Wagner visits students and of faculty and students, and participated in Emily O’Keefe, 1L JD student, was one of staff at the downtown legal clinic offices. a roundtable discussion with faculty about many excited students who attended Justice the duty of good faith in contract law and the Wagner’s meet-and-greet. “As a first-year to his thoughtful (and often witty!) responses dialogue between various legal traditions. law student, the chance to meet a Supreme to the students’ questions. “Meeting Justice During his two-day stay, Justice Wagner also Court Justice was akin to meeting a celebrity, Wagner inspired me to research some of the visited Windsor Law’s downtown legal aid a highlight I will remember in the years to exciting opportunities available to me as a law clinics where he met with students and the come.” She was struck by how personable student and to explore how I can get involved clinic director. Justice Wagner was and she enjoyed listening in Canada’s judicial system.”

a new online course currently in others interested in this area. The SYSTEMIC development as part of Professor film highlights systemic advocacy Gemma Smyth’s open source actions in Windsor, Ontario over www.clinicallaw.ca materials. the past decades and defines ADVOCACY Videos are also available on her different types of systemic youtube channel at www.youtube. advocacy, from organizing VIDEO com/clinicallaw. To date, the campaigns, to advocating with videos have had more than 35,000 governments. The film will be a views. starting point for a set of online Clockwise from PROJECT materials that will support LLM student Britney De Costa, top: Britney learners in understanding various JD students Sean Reginio and De Costa, types of systemic advocacy, as What does systemic advocacy Tori -Lee Jenkins, along with Sean Reginio, well as how to support clients mean? What is the role of Master’s Film Studies student and Tori-Lee and communities in reaching lawyers in this work? How can Svjetlana Oppen and her team, Jenkins we organize the most effective are creating a film that will their advocacy goals. The film campaigns to reach our advocacy introduce the topic of systemic and materials will be available goals? These questions animate advocacy to law students and December 2016.

AN EXCEPTIONAL LAW SCHOOL FOR A CHANGING WORLD FACULTY RESPONSE TO REFUGEE CRISIS

INTERVIEW WITH ANNEKE SMIT by Dayna Cornwall

“It’s an ongoing engagement,” says Anneke need help with the complicated application partner for all of the Windsor SSP’s public Smit of Windsor Law’s efforts regarding the process, and the lawyers who want to use information activities. As the only chapter in ongoing Syrian (and global) refugee crisis. their legal skills to contribute to solutions southwest Ontario, the Windsor SSP has also Dr. Smit, Associate Professor and expert to the refugee crisis. “The idea was to train recently expanded to assist sponsor groups in in refugee and immigration law, has been lawyers to be able to work with these groups Hamilton and London. spearheading the Faculty’s response to the in a pro bono capacity,” says Smit. So far As part of the Faculty’s increased emphasis Syrian refugee crisis. 1300 lawyers and law students have been on experiential learning, student involvement trained across the country, including about 15 One of the Law Faculty’s primary efforts is also a key aspect of the Windsor SSP: law lawyers and 35 law students in Windsor. The has been the sponsorship of a Syrian family. students work with the organization as part of SSP is still in need of volunteers, and Smit Planning began in late Autumn 2015 to Smit’s international refugee law course. “In encourages lawyers, whether or not they have assist a family in relocating to Windsor; a addition to running public sessions, students a background in refugee or immigration law, campus-wide fundraising campaign was are matched with lawyers and sponsor to consider donating some time. subsequently launched at the end of January groups, and find themselves getting hands-on 2016, and the initial monetary goal was met The Windsor SSP is starting to see some experience in grassroots, public interest legal by April. A group of 11 faculty, staff and their family reunification cases – situations work,” says Smit. “As a country we need to be partners will form the requisite “Group of 5” where members of the area’s Syrian and building capacity to support private refugee sponsors, while members of the Windsor Law Iraqi communities want to form Groups of sponsorship, a successful model which the community, including alumni and student 5 to bring over family members who are federal government is now seeking to export groups, have made financial contributions. refugees without a durable solution to their to other countries. I think as law schools one Though the sponsored family has yet to displacement. With this in mind, Smit says of our roles is to help develop that expertise arrive, relationships have been established that the emphasis of the Windsor SSP has for the future.” with extended family members already in developed to include more public legal In related news, there will be a dedicated Windsor, and fundraising is ongoing to assist outreach, with public information sessions place for a Windsor Law social justice fellow with additional expenses such as the family’s held in Arabic and English in the fall of 2016. at the UNHCR protection office in Toronto for airfare to Canada. “I see that as being a big part of our raison a second year, and the law school has created d’être,” says Smit. “We can share some of At the same time, Smit, Professor Gemma a refugee student entrance scholarship. For our expertise on private sponsorship with Smyth, and law students have established a more information on the Windsor Refugee these communities. So when they do get to Windsor chapter of the Refugee Sponsorship SSP, or to donate to the Windsor Law Group the point where they can bring their family Support Program, a national organization of 5 Sponsorship, please contact Anneke Smit members over, they know what to do.” The with 11 chapters across the country. The at [email protected]. SSP is a response to the great number of Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex private sponsorship groups who find they County (MCC) has been a key community

2 STUDENT NEWS STUDENTS ATTEND SUPREME COURT OF CANADA CONSULTATION FOR JUSTICE ’S NOMINATION

Third-year students Amanda Iarusso and to take part in this new appointment process, Human Rights and members of the Senate’s Marni Outerbridge attended the Supreme which Prime Minister Trudeau established Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Court of Canada consultation for Justice to “promote greater openness, transparency, as well as representatives of the Bloc Malcolm Rowe’s nomination in October. Two and accountability.” Québécois and Green Party, were able to ask students from each law school in Canada, The consultation was a special committee questions of Mr. Justice Rowe regarding his parliamentarians, media, and other interest hearing where members of the House qualifications, professional background, and groups gathered at the of Commons’ Committee on Justice and life experiences.

We were pleased to welcome our first cohort of LLM students in September — four students, diverse WELCOME LLM STUDENTS backgrounds, and each with a story to tell.

Britney De Costa Richard Bisika Mbokani Isioma Morka-Christian Celso Sakuraba Britney De Richard Isioma Celso Costa’s Bisika Morka- Sakuraba’s home town Mbokani’s Christian home city is is Guelph, home town is considers Fortaleza, Ontario. She Goma, in the Agbor, Brazil. He holds a BA North Kivu Nigeria completed Honours in Province, the as her a Bachelor Sociology Democratic hometown. of Laws at from the University of Guelph and Republic of Congo in Central She is a legal practitioner with the Universidade Federal do an MSW and JD degree from the Africa. He earned his LLB from a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ceará in Brazil and a Master of University of Windsor. She chose the Faculty of Law, Université Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Labour Law at the Universidade to continue studying at Windsor Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs Edo State, Nigeria, and a Master de Coimbra in Portugal. He Law because she appreciates and his LLM from the Geneva of Arts degree from United is a member of Ordem dos the social justice focus here Academy of International Nations Mandated University for Advogados do Brasil, the and she knew that Windsor Law Humanitarian Law and Human Peace, San Jose, Costa Rica. She Brazilian Bar Association. would provide the space and Rights. is a member of the Nigerian Bar Celso chose to further his mentorship for her to continue to Richard has been a Teaching and Association and she obtained a studies at Windsor Law in order grow as a critical legal thinker. Research Assistant both at the B.L. degree from Nigerian Law to research within the innovative Wherever she ends up, Britney Université Libre des Pays des School, Yenagoa; she practiced area of Bicycling Law with Dean hopes to be contributing to Grands Lacs and the University law in Nigeria for three years Christopher Waters. In five to ten community efforts that are of Goma. A practicing lawyer with a focus on civil and criminal years, he sees himself helping dismantling systems of injustice since November 2008, Richard litigation. cities become safer and more and oppression. She says is a member of the Goma Bar Isioma believes the Windsor sustainable through the results of Windsor Law, and the city itself, Association. His professional Law LLM will afford her an his research. His favourite thing is a great community. She has goal is to work as an independent opportunity to improve her about Windsor is the great and found the people here to be consultant in Access to Justice research skills. She hopes to respectful cultural diversity. welcoming and supportive, and and Human Rights, and the main find employment that will provide says they make you feel like motivation for him choosing her the opportunity to utilize her you’re home. Windsor is a strong to continue his legal studies expertise in the development and resilient community, down at Windsor Law is the specific of humanity and maximizing to earth, and there is always interest focused on Access to benefits to society. Her favourite something to do, and new places Justice and Social Justice. thing about the University of to explore. Windsor is its multiculturalism.

3 AN EXCEPTIONAL LAW SCHOOL FOR A CHANGING WORLD FACULTY NEWS AND ACCOLADES

LTEC LAB APPOINTS KARIMA BAWA NEW ASSOCIATE DEAN INAUGURAL SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE Professor Gemma Smyth completed her Karima Bawa is an expert in Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Business term as Windsor Law’s IP strategy and a Senior Fellow Administration. Interim Associate Dean, at the Centre for International and was replaced by As scholar-in-residence at LTEC Lab, Ms. Governance and Innovation Professor Jasminka Bawa will work closely with Professor Myra (CIGI). There, she studies Kalajdzic. During her Tawfik and the other members of the LTEC issues surrounding the commercialization term, Professor Smyth Lab team on IP research and outreach of University R&D and capacity-building in was honoured to work projects. Ms. Bawa will also act as a mentor IP strategy for Canadian innovators, and with staff, students, and to Windsor Law students. professors in responding she also advises and supports technology to the Truth and Reconciliation start-ups. Ms. Bawa was Chief Legal LTEC Lab is a community that gathers of Commission’s Calls to Action and Officer and General Counsel at Research Windsor University faculty, students and alumni whose research, teaching and renewing and expanding Windsor Law’s In Motion (BlackBerry) from 2000 - 2012, experiential learning options. Professors experiential learning initiatives revolve around leading and managing the company’s IP Smyth and Kalajdzic worked closely the theme of law and technology. portfolio. She holds a Bachelor of Science, a together to ensure minimal impact on students during the transition. Professor Smyth says, “Associate Dean Kalajdzic brings a wealth of practice and research CLINICAL THERAPIST, LAURA LITTLE experience to the role. Her innate justice-seeking approach will ensure SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING WELLNESS Windsor Law’s courses, committees, and policies will be both equitable and Working in collaboration Registered Social Worker with the Ontario innovative.” with the University’s Student College of Social Workers and Social Service Counselling Centre, Laura Workers. Little will provide student Laura has worked internationally, including FACULTY HONOURED counselling services and four years in the United Kingdom as a senior coordinate wellness programming in the social worker in a hospital setting. She Faculty of Law. Dr. Mohsan Beg, Director of uses an eclectic approach to therapy which the Student Counselling Centre noted, “it’s is person-centred and solution-focused, exciting to be offering mental health services using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and to law students where they study”. mindfulness-based interventions. Laura has Laura has a Bachelor of Social Work from experience assisting people with relationship the University of Windsor, which included a issues, stress, anxiety, depression, loss practicum at Legal Assistance of Windsor. and grief, self-esteem, sexuality issues, She earned a Masters of Social Work at addictions and trauma. Wilfrid Laurier University and is now a Professors Anneke Smit, Sujith Xavier and Marcela Aroca were recognized for their teaching excellence at an Dean Christopher Waters awards ceremony in November. Smit and Xavier each received Students’ Law pleased to present Senator Society Faculty Awards and Aroca was Murray Sinclair for an recognized with the Honourable Justice Robert Abbey Award for Outstanding Honourary Degree at the Special Lecturer. Fall Convention Congratulations to these outstanding professors.

4 FACULTY NEWS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITES TRANSNATIONAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP JAFFNA, SRI LANKA LTEClab.com Professors Wissam Aoun, Pascale Dr. Sujith Xavier, Kishali The workshop, organized by Home for Chapdelaine, Myra Tawfik, Scholar-in- Pinto-Jayawardena and Human Rights and The Social Architects, Residence Karima Bawa, and guests blog Justice Jayantha de brought together Tamil lawyers about law and technology at Windsor Law. Almeida Guneratne (Fiji representing the victims of the 27-year conflict to discuss the UN sponsored Court of Appeal) facilitated RepresentingYourselfCanada.com processes and mechanisms of transitional Professor Julie Macfarlane’s blog for a two-day workshop on Transitional justice as means to foster reconciliation. Justice in Sri Lanka for Tamil Lawyers in #A2J and self-represented litigants. the North and East of the Country.

ALUMNI NEWS REUNION REFLECTIONS

The Class of 1986 celebrated their thirtieth with a rooftop gathering in Yorkville in Toronto. It was an opportunity to share photos, memories and to catch up on the diverse paths they’ve all taken. The Class of 1981 celebrated their thirty- fifth with a weekend-long party in Windsor that included a state-of-the-law-school address by Dean Waters in the Moot Court. This very special class has given the largest The fall of 2016 saw a flurry of reunion Comartin, litigators, business leaders and scholarship gift to date, totalling more than activity at Windsor Law with alumni corporate counsel with distinguished careers $610 000, providing a full tuition scholarship attending from across the country. in the legal profession. Dean Waters and every year. This year, they presented Professor George Stewart attended the event. We welcomed alumni from our first an ambitious plan to fund a second full graduating Class of 1971 for a celebratory The Class of 1976 has gathered in Windsor scholarship for an upper year student. dinner in Windsor. This class boasts well- every five years since graduation. This year Previous recipients of the Windsor Law Class respected members of the judiciary, political marked their 8th reunion, which speaks to of 1981 Scholarship joined the celebration leaders who have changed the trajectory the deep connections forged during their time and described the tremendous impact the of Canadian politics, including long time at Windsor Law. scholarship has had on their lives. Speaker of the House of Commons, Joe

5 AN EXCEPTIONAL LAW SCHOOL FOR A CHANGING WORLD ALUMNI STORIES

CONGRATULATIONS SARAH CLARKE ‘08 AND MICHELLE OLIEL ‘07

Two Windsor Law alums in the early years of Michelle Oliel currently serves in the trial their careers were recognized with Odyssey chamber of the International Criminal Awards from the University of Windsor Alumni Tribunal and as a lecturer at the University Association in November. of Amsterdam. Her advocacy for vulnerable Sarah Clarke is principal of Clarke Child children led her to co-found the Stahili and Family Law. Her practice focuses on Foundation, which works with families and serving First Nation clients to protect the community to end exploitation, keep children best interests of their children, defend their together, and break the cycle of poverty. Aboriginal and treaty rights, and ensure that Congratulations to both of these deserving families stay together whenever possible. Her young grads. Sarah Clarke Michelle Oliel work with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society previously earned recognition from Lexpert Magazine.

ADVOCACY ZSA AND TRANSCANADA AWARD AWARD IN HONOUR OF KRISTINE DELKUS ‘83 Kristine Delkus, ‘83, of the Year for 2016 for her work at the helm ESTABLISHED who is general counsel of the pipeline company’s legal department. with TransCanada Corp. To commemorate this achievement, ZSA TO MEMORIALIZE in Calgary, was named and TransCanada created a scholarship to RISING STAR Canadian General Counsel support Windsor Law students. The law firm of Please visit our website for other opportunities to help support Beard Winter LLP Windsor Law students including The Professor Brian Etherington established a new student endowment Labour Law Fund and the Manmeet Bhullar ‘11 Memorial Scholarship. at Windsor Law to commemorate their dear friend, colleague and partner, Jennifer UNHCR / W5 / WINDSOR LAW Vieira, ‘05, who passed away in July of this year. Jennifer was a partner at Beard Winter REFUGEE STUDENT BURSARY LLP. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated a passion for This new bursary will assist a student who the community. It was set up in 2016 by and excellence in advocacy through courses, has been a refugee, who also demonstrates The United Nations High for moots, clinical work or other means, and who financial need and strong academic Refugees, Windsor Women Working with demonstrates financial need. performance, as well as a contribution to Immigrant Women, and Windsor Law. This scholarship was established in recognition of Jennifer’s passion for Watch for our upcoming 2016 Donor excellence in her work and her commitment Roll, the Windsor Law Report, in our next To make a gift today, visit to the clients she served. newsletter. Thanks to all our supporters for the 2016 calendar year! uwindsor.ca/donate.

6 AN EXCEPTIONAL LAW SCHOOL FOR A CHANGING WORLD