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Windsor's new Debt Repayment Assistance Program (D-RAP) — funded by The Law Foundation of Ontario — will encour- age students to pursue and maintain careers with organiza- tions that engage in public interest law in Ontario. By providing assistance to a law graduate who makes a com- mitment to a career in the public interest, it is hoped that this pro- gram will build a stronger pool of talented and dedicated lawyers in Ontario, and therefore enhance the accessibility and quality of legal services provided to the public. The first D-RAP recipient, Sara Jane Souliere, will receive up to $30,000 over three years. 7 Curriculum: B+ Faculty: B+ Professors: B+ Testing: B- Facilities: B Practice Relevance: B- Recommenda- tion: A- Final Grade: B 7. QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY Late last year, Queen's students and pro- fessors, and lawyers from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP celebrated the completion of work funded by the $10,000 BLG re- search fellowship program. Professor Erik Knutsen and law student Ashley Brown were recognized for their success with the program, designed to promote legal re- search and offer a student a valuable op- portunity for legal research, writing, and mentorship. The pair spent last summer researching "police pursuit collisions" and related standards for liability. "The cost of a police pursuit collision [to the public] can be enormous," said Knutsen. "And some times it's just over a speeding ticket or $76 in gas." Knutsen said a major focus of the research is determining when police chases are vital and when it would be better to go without. 8 Curriculum: B Faculty: B+ Professors: A- Testing: B Facilities: B- Practice Relevance: B Recommenda- tion: B Final Grade: B 9 Curriculum: B Faculty: B+ Professors: A- Testing: B- Facilities: B+ Practice Relevance: C+ Recommenda- tion: B+ Final Grade: B 8. UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO Western has also entered the JD fray, with a vote being held late last year on whether to change the school's degree designation from LLB to JD. Students were asked: "Are you in favour of Western Law changing its degree title from LLB to JD?" The results aren't yet in, but there's sure to be con- troversy and perhaps more Canadian law schools following suit. 9. UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY There's a new dean in town. Last sum- mer, Alastair (Al) Lucas moved from act- ing dean — a position he's held since 2006 — to dean of the law school. He was one of the law school's founding faculty in 1976. "In his role as dean, Lucas will contin- ue to focus on establishing the faculty as a nationally recognized leader in the spe- cializations of energy, naturalization, and environmental law at the undergraduate and graduate levels," says provost and vice president Alan Harrison. 10. DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Recent grads note Dalhousie's wide range of optional classes, along with its offerings in the marine and environmental law areas, with about a dozen related classes in those areas. As well, there is the school's Law and Technology Institute, where students have the opportunity to conduct advanced research under the supervision of faculty on information technology law issues. Professors were given top marks at Dal, with Jennifer Llewellyn, Ronalda Murphy, and Richard Devlin getting men- tions from respondents. "I enjoyed many of the people and many of the professors," says one grad. "Dalhousie attracted many bright, interesting students from across Canada." 10 11 Curriculum: B+ Faculty: B+ Professors: B+ Testing: C+ Facilities: B Practice Relevance: B- Recommenda- tion: B+ Final Grade: B Curriculum: B Faculty: B Professors: B+ Testing: B- Facilities: B- Practice Relevance: B- Recommenda- tion: B+ Final Grade: B 11. UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA Despite the fallout of Maclean's law school rankings last year, Ottawa's Faculty of Law placed first in the "National Reach" category, making it the most diversified program in the country. Overall, the faculty placed fourth in the evaluation. "We do well on Bay Street and everywhere else," stated Dean Daniel Gervais, "and we are proud of the fact that our students often choose alternative career paths." The ranking system, created by Brian Leiter, a professor of law at the University of Texas (Austin), relies on data gathered from secondary sources and relied on the Lexpert list of Canada's leading law firms for its "Elite Firm Hiring" calculations, which ruffled many feathers. This list, however, as the Maclean's method- ology states, "does not include firms headquartered in Ottawa and Edmonton," and as a result excludes a significant number of common law students who choose to stay and practise in Ottawa. 12 13 Curriculum: B+ Faculty: B+ Professors: B+ Testing: C+ Facilities: B- Practice Relevance: C+ Recommenda- tion: B+ Final Grade: B- Curriculum: B Faculty: B Professors: B+ Testing: C+ Facilities: B- Practice Relevance: C+ Recommenda- tion: B Final Grade: B- 12. UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA Former students are proud of the law school's advocacy pro- gram, which progressively builds upon skills learned in each year of law school. In first year, all students prepare and present an oral motion. In second year, students prepare and present a trial and then take the matter on to appeal. In the appeal, the students must write an appeal factum and then present oral argument before a panel consisting of a lawyer, an articling student, and a third-year student. In third year, students build upon these skills through a number of optional courses, which include advanced advocacy and the intensive courses in admin- istrative law, family law, or criminal law. 13. UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN The planned November grand opening of the renovation and addition to the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan has been postponed until later this year. There was a work stoppage on the campus, and work on the addition, and in particular the new Law Foundation of Saskatchewan wing of the college, was unable to be completed by November 2007. 14. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA UBC has been criticized for its outdated and unwelcoming facilities over the years. Much like Osgoode in the past, UBC is intent on doing something about it. A $1-million gift from Vancouver law firm Richards Buell Sutton LLP and another $1 million from Davis LLP will definitely help the faculty's new building project. These gifts will be matched by the Law Foundation of British Columbia, which has committed to match donations — up to a total of $6 million — in support of the faculty building project. "This generous gesture from RBS will help improve legal education and contribute to Canada's future legal professionals for many years to come," says UBC president Ste- phen J. Toope. "It is gratifying to note that RBS was the firm that helped create the founding legislation for this university 100 years ago." The new building will provide space for more than 60 faculty members, 600 undergraduate, and 100 graduate students. It will replace the existing faculty building. Construction should begin later this year and be completed by the end of 2010. 14 Curriculum: B Faculty: B Professors: B Testing: C+ Facilities: C- Practice Relevance: C+ Recommenda- tion: B Final Grade: C+ www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com JANU AR Y 2008 41