Elevating Excellence: Celebrating our biggest accomplishments of 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, the Common Law Section is proud to reflect on and celebrate a year marked by notable achievements, collaborations, and a continuing commitment to excellence. Here are the top stories that shaped our journey over the past year.

1. uOttawa Faculty of Law Receives a $1M donation

Professor Carl McMillan spent 30 years teaching at Carleton University, so it may surprise some that shortly before his passing in October, he chose to make a significant $1 million gift to the University of Ottawa. The Common Law and Civil Law Sections of the Faculty of Law will each receive $500,000 to fund scholarships, emerging needs and projects that will positively impact the student experience.

Dean Kristen Boon and Dean Marie-Eve Sylvestre — Kristen Boon, the Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean of the Common Law Section, and Marie-Eve Sylvestre, the Dean of the Civil Law Section.

2. Global Recognition for Academic Excellence

The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law was ranked 4th in Canada (and 2nd in Ontario) in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for law and legal studies. For the first time, uOttawa has been ranked in the top 100 globally – at 99th spot. This achievement reflects the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to elevating excellence and innovation in teaching the practice of law.

3. Deepening Commitments to Reconciliation

Reconciliation remained central to the Faculty’s mission. All first-year students are provided an immersive program exploring Indigenous laws and legal traditions while learning about the role of Canadian law in colonization and cultivating fresh perspectives about what it means to undertake a career in law. In 2024, we also hosted a series of impactful events, including a panel on the Supreme Court’s Restoule Ruling and two Sage Advice Speaker Series sessions, hosted by the Reconciliation and Decolonization Committee, addressing environmental racism and policy reconciliation. Reading circles on Seven Fallen Feathers and Braiding Sweetgrass fostered dialogue and understanding, while a visit to Kitigan-Zibi, a welcome feast for Indigenous students and the care of the Spirit Garden symbolized our dedication to community and tradition.

4. Ontario Court of Appeal Visits Fauteux

The Common Law Section welcomed 22 judges from the Ontario Court of Appeal for an extraordinary day of learning, discussion, and mentorship. It was the Court’s first visit to Fauteux in a decade. Led by Chief Justice Michael Tulloch, the visit provided students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with members of the judiciary. The judges’ insights spanned multiple areas of the law, providing students with a first-hand understanding of how legal issues are navigated within the courts.

Common Law students, faculty and staff members with the judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal at Fauteux Hall.

5. Three recent graduates offered prestigious clerkships at the Supreme Court of Canada for 2025-2026.

Abigail Green, JD ‘22, will clerk in Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin’s chambers. Abigail is a registered member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Her commitment to Indigenous rights and representation is evident through her involvement as an Indigenous Learner Academic Mentor and her current role as an Educator with Indigenous Leadership Opportunity Year (ILOY)external linkat the Royal Military College of Canada.

Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka, JD-BCom ’23, has accepted a clerkship in the chambers of Justice Mary T. Moreau. During her studies at uOttawa, Bernice-Marie distinguished herself through her active involvement as Executive Editor of the Ottawa Law Review, as well as a Research Assistant for Professor Anne Levesque, a Teaching Assistant for Professor Suzanne Bouclin and a Research Intern for the Technoship Program with Professor Jeremy de Beer.

Eric Fleming, JD ‘23, will join Justice Suzanne Côté’s chambers. Before pursuing law, Eric completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba, studying Political Studies and Philosophy. He received the Faculty of Arts Medal in the Honours Degree for the highest grade-point average in any Honours Program in the Faculty.

L-R: Abigail Green, JD ‘22, Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka, JD-BCom ’23, and Eric Fleming, JD ‘23. — Left to right: Abigail Green, JD ‘22, Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka, JD-BCom ’23, and Eric Fleming, JD ‘23.

6. 2024 Common Law Honour Society Inductees

Kristen Boon, Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean, was joined by our esteemed Honour Society members, special guests, faculty members and student leaders at the Rideau Club as we celebrated the tremendous accomplishments and careers of the 2024 Common Law Honours Society inductees: The Honourable Maria Linhares de Sousa, LLB ’76, Yves Le Bouthillier, LLB ’84, and The Honourable Bernadette Clement, LLB ’88, LLL ’87.

four people stand, shoulder-to-shoulder, smiling. Three are holding award. — Left to right: The Honourable Maria Linhares de Sousa, LLB ’76, Dean Kristen Boon, Yves Le Bouthillier, LLB ’84, and The Honourable Bernadette Clement, LLB ’88, LLL ’87.

7. Professor Jeremy de Beer elected to the Royal Society of Canada

Professor Jeremy de Beer has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, distinguishing him as one of Canada’s most valued and impactful scholars. Professor de Beer is internationally recognized for his research on intellectual property (IP) and open collaborative innovation. A pioneer of transdisciplinary and global partnerships, his work transforms theoretical concepts and on-the-ground research into law and policy breakthroughs.

8. Young alum honoured

The University of Ottawa's annual Alumni Awards of Excellence gala, held on June 3, 2024, was an inspiring showcase of many remarkable uOttawa graduates, including a winner from the Common Law Section, Ritesh Kotak. Ritesh Kotak, JD ’22, was awarded the Young Alumni Award, which recognizes individuals under 40 who have demonstrated significant contributions by an individual in his or her field, whether through professional achievement or community service. Despite having only graduated two years ago, Kotak is already making a tremendous impact in the realms of technology, cybersecurity, and law.

Ritesh Kotak wins the Young Alumni Award

9. Advancing Mental Health Awareness

The legal profession is increasingly grappling with a growing mental health crisis. Lawyers and legal professionals often face intense pressure, long hours, and the weight of life-altering decisions, all of which can take a significant toll on their mental well-being. Professor Lynda Collins is tackling this issue head-on. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout in the profession, the need for a culture of support and open dialogue around mental health in the legal field has never been more urgent. Professor Collins is making sure this conversation begins in law school.

Professor Lynda Collins and a green ribbon representing mental health awareness

10. 3L student takes home bronze medal from Paris Paralympics

It was a bronze summer to remember for 3L Annie Fergusson. Fergusson was a member of Canada’s national sitting volleyball team which won a bronze medal in the Paris Paralympic Games. The medal is Canada’s first-ever Paralympic podium finish in sitting volleyball and the country’s first Paralympic team sports medal since the men’s wheelchair basketball team won gold at the 2012 London Games. It was her second trip to the Paralympics – the team finished fourth in Tokyo in 2020.