Type Juris Doctorate Dean Bradford Morse | Chancellor Wally Oppal, Q.C. Students 110 students Founded 2011 | |
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Affiliation University of Calgary Faculty of Law Similar Thompson Rivers University, University of Victoria Faculty of, Peter A Allard School of, University of Alberta Faculty of, University of New Brunswic | ||
Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law is the graduate school of law of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. It offers a three-year Juris Doctor degree.
Contents
- History
- Notable Alumni
- Location
- Old Main Revitalization
- Affiliation with the University of Calgary
- Courses
- Student Organizations
- Community Legal Clinic
- Recognition
- Awards and Prizes
- References
History
TRU Faculty of Law officially opened to students on September 6, 2011 with a first year class of 75 students and 10 faculty members. The ceremonial opening was attended by several dignitaries, including the Honourable Chief Justice Lance Finch, former BC Attorney General Wally Oppal, Q.C., and CBA BC Chapter President Sharon Matthews, among many others.
Notable Alumni
The school has produced several notable lawyers, including Paul Bosco of Murphy Battista LLP and James Gill of Pacific Law in Vancouver, British Columbia, Nelson Selamaj of Pearce Schneiderat in Penticton, British Columbia, and Austin Paladeau of McLeod Law LLP in Calgary, Alberta.
Location
The Faculty of Law is currently housed in the third and fourth floor of the Old Main building of Thompson Rivers University. The two floors opened its doors in time for the admitting class of 2014-2015.
Old Main Revitalization
In 2012, the Faculty of Law was moved to the expanded and remodeled Old Main building. Old Main's revitalization was inspired by the region’s most prominent landmarks (notably Mt. Peter and Paul). It added 40,000 square feet of learning, library and student spaces.
Affiliation with the University of Calgary
TRU Law adopted University of Calgary's Faculty of Law curriculum upon its opening in Fall 2011. According to former U of C Faculty of Law Dean Alastair Lucas, the U of C's focus on natural resources, energy, and environmental law is "uniquely suited to academic priorities at TRU and we are excited to provide them together with a program that focuses on practical legal skills instruction."
Courses
TRU Law offers a traditional JD program, approved by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. A mandatory first-year curriculum is followed by advanced legal study in upper years, which includes compulsory courses in Ethical Lawyering, Administrative Law, Civil Procedure and Business Associations.
Student Organizations
The primary student organization is the TRU Society of Law Students. Established in October 2011, the Society has adopted a series of strategic priorities aimed at enriching and supporting the student experience. A number of clubs have been established under the TRU SLS banner, including the TRU South Asian Law Students Association, TRU Indigenous Law Students Association, "Asia Pacific Law Students Association" and Black Law Students' Association. There are also a number of law student-comprised sports teams that compete in the various TRU recreation leagues.
The Faculty of Law also participates in the CBA BC Branch's student mentorship program. This program is designed to match law students with lawyers willing to share their experience and insight into the practice of law.
Community Legal Clinic
The Thompson Rivers University Community Legal Clinic is the first student-staffed free legal clinic in the BC Interior. Students work under the guidance of a supervising lawyer to provide legal assistance and advice in a range of areas to those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.
Recognition
In 2015, a team from the TRU Faculty of Law defeated teams from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victory to win the Begbie Trophy at the BC Law Schools Competitive Moot.
Awards and Prizes
TRU Law offers entrance scholarships funded by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, and the Law Foundation of British Columbia. A continuing scholarship is awarded to the top student completing first year studies, and returning to TRU for second-year studies.