Professor Gerald L. Gall O.C.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our colleague Professor Gerald L. Gall, O.C., on March 18, 2012. He was a Professor of Law at the university for over thirty-five years, teaching constitutional law, human rights, civil liberties and in recent years foundations to law.
A graduate of the University of Windsor, Professor Gall was a barrister and solicitor in the province of Ontario prior to joining the Faculty in 1974. Throughout his long and distinguished career at the Faculty Gerry was active in a wide range of legal and judicial organizations, often in a leadership role. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Education Society of Alberta, the International Council for Canadian Studies, the Canadian Human Rights Foundation and was the former Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice. After long service on the Management Board of the Centre for Constitutional Studies, he was made a Honourary Member of the Board. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Canadian Studies and the Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation.
Gerry Gall was the co-founder of the Human Rights Education Foundation, which later evolved into the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, University of Alberta. He then served as the Centre's President. However, for nearly two generations of law students, Professor Gall was best known as the author of the The Canadian Legal System, (5th edition), a highly acclaimed introductory law text that has been translated into other languages for use abroad.
While his work encompassed constitutional law, and the administration of justice in Canada, Gerry Gall is perhaps best known for his deep commitment to the advancement of human rights.
"As a distinguished teacher, writer and lawyer, Professor Gall dedicated himself to the cause of human rights to the benefit of all Canadians. His record of accomplishments stands as a testament to what can be achieved through a commitment to excellence in scholarship and public service. He has been widely honoured for his contributions in the field of human rights. In 1995, the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission recognized his work and achievements by awarding him the prestigious Alberta Human Rights Award. He was also the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and the Alberta Centennial medals. Professor Gall was the 2010 recipient of the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta) Distinguished Service Award for Legal Scholarship. In 2001, Professor Gall was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada." (John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, 2011)
The faculty, administrative staff and students of the Faculty of Law have lost one of our most highly respected and beloved professors. Gerry Gall was a noted scholar and great colleague and friend to many; he will be very much missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Karen, his children Melanie, Wendy, and Andrew, and to all of Gerry and Karen's immediate and extended family and friends.
Gerry's funeral service will be held on, Monday, March 19, at 4pm in the chapel of the Jewish Cemetery at 7622 101 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.
Click here for an Edmonton Journal article on Professor Gerald Gall.
Please click here for a list of Professor Gall's publications.