(L to R) Sandra Hawes, Managing Partner, Miller Thomson LLP, Edmonton; The Honourable Mr. Justice Russell Brown; Dean Paul D. Paton; Kent Davidson, Q.C., Chairman, Miller Thomson LLP.
The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is pleased to announce that Miller Thomson LLP has generously endowed $50,000 over five years to establish and support The Hon. Justice Russell Brown Lecture Series. The series will bring at least one high-profile speaker each year for five years to the Law Centre for a public lecture on contemporary legal and public policy issues of interest to Canadians. It is intended to supplement classroom learning for Faculty of Law students and engage alumni, the academic community, and members of the public. The series will be an important addition to the Faculty's already extensive outreach and public education on matters of legal importance to members of the public across Alberta.
"We are tremendously grateful to Miller Thomson - a longstanding supporter of the Faculty - for their lead gift for The Hon. Justice Russell Brown Lecture Series," said Dean Paul D. Paton. "This endowment, which supports the Faculty in its ongoing commitment to public service, also honours Justice Brown's leadership in the courts and the classroom. As one of Canada's premier law schools, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada one of our graduates and the newest member of the Court a former faculty member, the lecture series reinforces our commitment of service to the profession and to Canada."
Miller Thomson's endowment was made public on September 6 at a special reception hosted by the firm at the Art Gallery of Alberta to honour Justice Brown on the occasion of his visit to Edmonton. The reception was well attended by senior members of the judiciary, legal profession, and legal academy, as well as prominent members of the Edmonton community. Justice Brown - appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on August 31, 2015 - previously served as counsel to Miller Thomson. He was in Edmonton to provide the welcome address to the Faculty's Class of 2019 at Orientation on September 6 and give a public lecture at the Law Centre on September 7.
"Miller Thomson is proud to be the lead sponsor for The Hon. Justice Russell Brown Lecture Series at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law," said Sandra Hawes, Managing Partner for Miller Thomson in Edmonton. "Our firm is a long-time supporter of the Faculty and we are pleased to continue our relationship in this meaningful way, for the good of students, the Edmonton legal community, and the public at large. We can think of no better tribute for Justice Brown, our valued former colleague."
A committee will be formed to develop the lecture series - the first installment of which is expected in 2017 - with Dean Paton as chair. Miller Thomson will have representation on the committee, but responsibility for the selection of topic and speaker will rest with the Faculty to ensure academic freedom. There will be additional opportunities for other firms and individuals to contribute to support the endowment of the lecture series.