John McLaren Curtain Call Contents UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA LAW NEWS COVER STORY FEATURES 4 John McLaren Bob Abroad CURTAIN CALL 26 PROFESSOR BOB HOWELL’S ADVENTURES IN TIBET AND Law News is produced by the Faculty of Law, ANTARCTICA University of Victoria. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Faculty of Law or the University of Victoria. Law News is made possible by the generous support of the Faculty of Law, Alumni and friends. Editor-in-Chief Andrew Petter Managing Editor Anne Pappas Editor Thomas Winterhoff Editorial Correspondence UVic Law’s Interdisciplinary The Faculty of Law 14 Graduate Program University of Victoria (250) 721-8025 COmbininG PALATES wiTH [email protected] UniQUE FLAVOUR Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law and Contributors Society and Doctor of Philosophy Maria Gagliani Retires Benjamin Berger 30 Jennifer Bond (Ph.D.) in Law and Society Angela Cameron Neil A. Campbell Jennifer Champion Hamar Foster Bob Howell John McLaren Jennifer Moroskat Anne Pappas Holly Pattison Andrew Petter Laurel Sherret Mark Underhill UVic Law alumni Photographers Interdisciplinary Focus SECTIONS Don Pierce and Chris Marshall – 18 UVic Photographic Services A WORld OF OppORTUniTY 1 From the Dean UVic Law photo archive 3 From the Alumni Design and Production John Nedwidek – www.emdesign.com Association 21 Faculty News 34 Career Development Office 36 Student News 40 Alumni News 44 Alumni Updates 50 Calendar FALL 2005—WINTER 2007 UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA LAW NEWS FROM THE DEAN 1 From the Dean Dear Alumni and Friends of UVic Law, opportunity to pursue academic excellence — under the It’s my pleasure to introduce the latest edition of Law guidance of outstanding teachers, renowned scholars and News. When Dean Murray Fraser and his colleagues engaging mentors — is certainly foremost among them. established the UVic Faculty of Law in 1974, they John McLaren, who recently retired and is featured in envisioned an institution that would gain attention and this issue of Law News, exemplifies the spirit, dedication respect throughout Canada and abroad for its innovative and leadership that is reflected throughout the faculty. programming, collaborative culture and unwavering This issue contains heartfelt tributes to John that speak commitment to academic excellence. The school has to the difference he made in the lives of students and how gone from strength to strength since then, adhering to much he will be missed within the Faculty. those fundamental tenets while introducing vital new Groundbreaking initiatives have helped to define UVic initiatives and adapting to changing social circumstances Law over the past 33 years and continue to contribute and student expectations. to its well-deserved reputation as one of Canada’s finest law schools. Today’s law students still profit from long-standing UVic Law initiatives such as the Legal Law students who choose Process course, the Law Centre clinic and the Law Co- op program. However, they also benefit from recent to attend the University innovations such as our expanded Environmental Law Clinic, the Colloquium in Political, Social and Legal of Victoria do so for many Theory, and the International Intellectual Property Summer Program (offered alternately in Victoria and compelling reasons. Oxford in recent years). The Faculty recognizes that the practice of law must be That unrivalled combination of vision and enthusiasm understood within the wider context of social, political, continues to enliven UVic Law and is reflected in the efforts of its talented faculty members, students and staff. They continually aspire to “raise the bar” by creating Groundbreaking initiatives a learning environment that is both intellectually stimulating and progressive in its approach. They have helped to define UVic also remain mindful of the enduring legacy of their predecessors, who worked tirelessly to achieve what Law over the past 33 years... we value so highly today — a program that allows students to pursue their individual educational and career goals within a challenging yet supportive learning historical and economic developments. Based on this environment. understanding, the school has made major commitments Law students who choose to attend the University over the past decade to expand its Indigenous law of Victoria do so for many compelling reasons. The programming and to attract Indigenous students. As a 2 FROM THE DEAN UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA LAW NEWS From the Dean (cont.) result, the Faculty is now recognized as a Canadian leader learning environment. It has been a delight to welcome in Indigenous legal education. This same understanding them to the Faculty and to encourage them to embrace the has also informed the development of our highly coming year’s challenges, to expand their horizons and to enjoy the many rewarding experiences that lie ahead. One of the highlights of the coming year will be our The past year has been a very Homecoming Weekend in May, when we will welcome honoured alumni and friends from all graduating years. active one and we are looking Special reunion events will also be held for the classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003. We sincerely hope forward to an exciting and that many former students and faculty members will be able to join us for the festivities, renew old acquaintances memorable 2007-08. and witness first-hand how the school’s traditions have been nurtured and augmented over time. successful interdisciplinary Graduate Program that in the current year has grown to about 20 LL.M. and Ph.D. students. One of the highlights of This issue of Law News offers focused updates on the the coming year will be Environmental Law Centre, the Graduate Program, the Law Alumni Association, the Career Development our Homecoming Weekend Office and the Diana M. Priestly Law Library (which is in the planning phase of a major redevelopment in May... project). You will also read about student initiatives such as those undertaken by the UVic chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada, books that have been published by our Naturally, the Faculty of Law appreciates visits from faculty members, some fascinating faculty projects and past students and colleagues at all times of the year. Their noteworthy alumni achievements. accomplishments have made the school what it is today The past year has been a very active one and we are and we will always be grateful for their contributions to looking forward to an exciting and memorable 2007- UVic Law’s ongoing success. 08. I am pleased to report in this regard that we have an extremely talented and motivated group of students entering our LL.B and graduate programs this year. Sincerely, UVic Law has been increasingly successful at attracting accomplished students from diverse cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds, creating a varied and stimulating Andrew Petter FALL 2005—WINTER 2007 UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA LAW NEWS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 3 From the Law Alumni Association Greetings from the UVic Law Alumni and John McLaren. Photos and snapshots Association. Here is an update on what is of these events across the country are going on with the association. featured in this issue of Law News. First, I can happily report that we If you would like to get involved have reached the $100,000 endowment in organizing class reunions or more goal for the Law Alumni Association generally with the association, please do Bursary Fund. A big “thank you” to all not hestiate to contact Anne Pappas or of the class representatives and to each myself at any time. and every one of you who contributed to this very worthwhile cause. Needless to say, any additional contributions will be gladly accepted! A note of thanks to those who joined us at the social events to celebrate the Mark Underhill retirements of Professors Bill Neilson Class of ’95 Law Alumni BursaryGiving Fund By –Class Giving Year By Class Year $20,000.00 $18,000.00 $16,000.00 $14,000.00 $12,000.00 $10,000.00 $8,000.00 $6,000.00 Amount Given $4,000.00 $2,000.00 $0.00 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year The Steering Commitee Mark Underhill (’95) Freya Kristjanson(’89) Steve Cloutier (’89) Jason Roth (’99) Lisa Chamzuk (’00) Margaret Sasges (’89) Don P. MacDonald (’80) Andrew Petter (’91) Anne Pappas 4 JOHN MC LAREN UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA LAW NEWS John McLaren Curtain Call By: Jennifer Champion John McLaren describes himself as a 23-year-old greenhorn when he reflects back on his arrival in Canada, stepping off the immigrant train to take up a position as instructor at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan. His only knowledge of Saskatchewan at that time was drawn from Hollywood movies. The exotic phrase “SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN!”, When he looks back on that period in legal education for example, was Merlin’s incantation in the 1949 film (when law schools were expanding beyond faculties A Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. That such a memory described as “2 men and a boy”), John recalls that 95 to should stand out in John’s mind seems appropriate 99% of the students were male, young and “horribly because he loves theatre. There are times when the allure well-groomed”. It would have been difficult to find a of the stage prevails in the classroom, leading him to female face or anyone one from a First Nation or visible dramatize a moment in a case or burst into song. minority. Almost the entire curriculum was compulsory John jokes that, “As long as there is a stage to perform and based on classroom learning. There was nothing on, I’ll never retire”. But the truth is that he has officially in the way of clinical learning and very little simulated retired from the UVic Faculty of Law.