History of the Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law at Lakehead owes its existence to the tenacity and commitment of the community in Northwestern Ontario.
The push for a law school first began with the County and District Law Presidents’ Association and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). They were soon joined by other members of the community, including other First Nation organizations and the Métis Nation. The new law degree program would focus on access to justice in northern and rural communities, Aboriginal law, natural resource law, and small- or single-practitioner law. The program would address issues of declining participation in sole- and small-firm practice, and decreasing access to the law profession by Northern Ontario students.
The Faculty of Law is, therefore, a creation of the community and its reason for being is to serve that community.
TIMELINE OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
| 2005 |
County and District Law Presidents’ Association (CDLPA) and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation officials, approach Lakehead University to consider development of a new law degree program. |
| 2005 - Oct 2006 |
Working Group develops proposal for new Faculty of Law at Lakehead University. |
| Oct 2006 |
Approval in Principle by Lakehead University Senate and Board of Governors to establish a Faculty of Law. |
| April 2008 |
The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) endorses the proposal and refers it to the Federation. |
| Oct 2009 |
Task Force on the New Canadian Law Degree delivers report, establishing criteria for adoption by provincial Law Societies. |
| Feb 2011 |
Council of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada approves curriculum for new law degree program at Lakehead University. |
| April 2011 |
Convocation Benchers of the Law Society of Upper Canada approve Lakehead University’s proposed academic program leading to the conferral of a common law degree. |
| May 13, 2011 |
Lakehead University Senate approves the establishment of a Faculty of Law and the proposed law degree program. |
| May 18, 2011 | |
| May 29, 2012 | |
| Sept 2013 |
Inaugural (Charter) class commences |
| November 21, 2013 |
The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) approves Lakehead's unique Integrated Practice Curriculum. |
| Sept 30, 2014 |
Faculty renamed the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. |
| January 12, 2016 |
Angelique EagleWoman is appointed Dean of Bora Laskin Faculty of Law |
| May 27, 2016 |
Charter class graduates |