McGill University Faculty of Law

Template:Short description Template:Use Canadian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox university

The Faculty of Law is one of the professional graduate schools of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is the oldest law school in Canada. 180 candidates are admitted for any given academic year. For the year 2021 class, the acceptance rate was 10%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016 – Law Template:Webarchive QS Top Universities, Retrieved 21 August 2017</ref>

Notable alumni include Prime Ministers John Abbott and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, thirteen Justices of the Supreme Court (Including the most recent appointments, Mahmud Jamal and Nicholas Kasirer), as well as Members of Parliament. Marc Miller, a current member of Canadian House of Commons and the former minister of Cabinet of Canada, is a graduate from the Faculty.

Academics

Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor program

The McGill Faculty of Law offers a unique combined Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and Juris Doctor (JD) program. The BCL/JD program emphasizes a transsystemic and polyjural approach that integrates common law and civil law, sometimes within a single class.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> More recently, the Faculty has incorporated Indigenous law into its curriculum in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations for Canadian law schools.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2016, the Faculty reviewed its curriculum and added Integration Week: an introductory week of group work and lectures for first-year students.<ref name="auto6">Template:Cite web</ref> They also added two Focus Weeks—one in fall and one in winter—that allow students to take intensive one-week courses. In winter 2023, the first student seminar on Abolitionist practices and Transformative Justice was launched.

The duration of BCL/JD program is somewhat flexible: the program can be completed in 3, 3.5, or 4 years. Students who opt for a minor, major, or honours program generally require 4 years to complete their degree. Majors are offered in International Human Rights and Development and in Commercial Negotiation and Dispute Resolution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Faculty of Law, in collaboration with the Desautels Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Art's School of Social Work, offers joint programs that combine the BCL/JD program with either a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Social Work (MSW).<ref name="auto6"/> A joint program takes 4 to 5 years to complete.

The Faculty of Law's Admissions Office has an acceptance rate of 15.9%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Master of Laws (LLM)

The Faculty offers four LLM programs for students: one general LLM program, and three specialized LLM programs in Air and Space Law, Environment, and Bioethics. Except for the LLM Bioethics program, all programs have thesis and non-thesis options.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The non-thesis Master's of Law option prioritizes course work and can be completed in twelve months. The thesis option prioritizes research; it can be completed in sixteen to twenty-four months. Student in the LLM Bioethics program write a thesis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Doctor of Civil Law (DCL)

The Faculty offers three DCL programs in General Law, Comparative Law, and Air and Space Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Students generally complete the DCL program in 3 to 4 years.

Graduate Certificates

The Faculty offers graduate certificates in Comparative Law and in Air and Space Law. Graduate certificates are awarded upon completing a set number of credits. Certificates are based on coursework, and no thesis is required.

History

The Faculty of Law was officially created in 1853, after a petition signed by young men studying law in Montreal was made to McGill in 1848.<ref name="History">Template:Cite web</ref> With the incoming class of 1969, the Faculty added a stand-alone common law degree, suitable to the practice of law in other Canadian provinces, which could be taken individually or jointly with the traditional Civil Law curriculum. The joint degree was then referred to as the National Programme, and taught common law and civil law in separate courses, but combined their study in a year-long introductory "Foundations" course and in some upper-year seminars.<ref name="Macdonald">R. Macdonald, "The National Law Program at McGill: Origins, Establishment, Prospects" Dalhousie Law Journal, 1990: 13: 211-363.</ref> In 1951, McGill inaugurated its first post-graduate law program with the creation of its Institute of Air & Space Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The institute was founded by John Cobb Cooper, who had served as a senior official in Pan American World Airways, and the International Air Transport Association.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Canada's only United Nations organ, the International Civil Aviation Organization, is also headquartered in Montreal.<ref>John Cobb Cooper</ref>Template:Circular reference

With the incoming class of 1999, the Faculty eliminated its civil, common, and national programs, and replaced them with a single program, which includes some mandatory first-year courses and some upper-year courses which integrate both common and civil law. This joint and bilingual degree, which all students must take, is now referred to as the transsystemic program.<ref name="Morissette">Morissette, Yves-Marie, "McGill's Integrated Civil and Common Law Program" J. Legal Educ., 2002: 52: 12-28.</ref> This program underwent slight revisions during a curriculum renewal unrolled in 2016. Under the newly revised program, criminal and property law are taught differently; incoming students also undergo two "integration weeks" (one in the fall and winter).<ref>"The next phase of legal education" Template:Webarchive, "Law Focus Online, June 2015"</ref>

The Transsystemic program was created under the direction of former Dean Stephen Toope, whereby every student graduates with degrees in both civil law and common law. This means that, from the first year, courses now explore civil and common law concepts in close comparison. Students analyse and critically evaluate the two traditions, their histories, and their social, political, and cultural contexts.<ref name="Strauss">Strauss, Peter, "Transsystemia—Are We Approaching a New Langdellian Moment? Is McGill Leading the Way?" J. Legal Educ., 2006: 56: 161-171.</ref> Undergraduate students may participate in international exchange programs, and in the International Courts and Tribunals Program, which in 2006 received a Scotiabank-AUCC Award for Excellence in Internationalization.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since 1976, the Faculty of Law's Institute of Air and Space Law, has annually published the first and only bilingual journal in the field of air and space law, the Annals of Air and Space Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other Faculty of Law bilingual publications include the McGill Law Journal and the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Buildings

Old Chancellor Day Hall and New Chancellor Day Hall are the names of two joined buildings at McGill University's downtown campus that house the Faculty of Law. Old Chancellor Day Hall was designed by noted architect Bruce Price for businessman James Ross. New Chancellor Day Hall was completed in 1967 by architecture firm Bland, Lemoyne, Edwards, and Shine. The Old and New Chancellor Day buildings are connected by an underground passage and by an atrium, which also connects to the Nahum Gelber Law Library. Today, Old Chancellor Day Hall is used for administrative and faculty offices. New Chancellor Day Hall includes all classrooms, a moot court room, student spaces, law student services, and administrative and faculty offices.

Old Chancellor Day Hall

In 1892, Canadian civil engineer, businessman, and philanthropist James Ross hired architect Bruce Price (whose other masterworks included Windsor Station and Château Frontenac) to design a château-style mansion in Montreal's Golden Square Mile, on Peel Street.<ref name="auto4">Template:Cite web</ref> Built largely of yellow sandstone from New Brunswick, the James Ross House was one of the most expensive private homes built in Canada during the nineteenth century. The house was a social centre for the Golden Square Mile.<ref name="auto4"/>

His son John Kenneth Leveson Ross, a noted bon vivant and sportsman, inherited both the house and the Ross fortune.<ref name="auto2">Template:Cite book</ref> In the 1919, J.K.L. Ross hired architects Trowbridge and Livingstone to undertake $600,000 of renovations that affected every room in the house.<ref name="auto2"/> The renovation included adding a private bathroom to each bedroom, covering up a skylight, and putting in windows to create a library/reading room in what is now the Common Room.<ref name="auto">"Home Sweet Home" Template:Webarchive, Law Focus 2014, pp 21-23</ref> John Ross declared bankruptcy in 1928, and the James Ross House was sold at auction in 1929 for a mere $51,000. The mansion was subsequently purchased by J.W. McConnell in 1948 as a gift to McGill University.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

While the university may have initially planned to use it for a student residence, the Faculty of Law officially moved into the mansion in a ceremony attended by many members of the judiciary and the Montreal Bar on 9 February 1950. At the ceremony, McGill's Chancellor, Orville S. Tyndale, declared on behalf of the Board of Governors that the mansion would be named Chancellor Day Hall in honour of McGill's first Chancellor, Charles Dewey Day. The opening ceremony was held in the students' handsomely furnished common room, a gift from Maurice Pollack.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

On 9 July 2014, Old Chancellor Day Hall closed for 14 months for renovations to upgrade the building's heating, electrical systems, plumbing, windows, and more. Thirty-four staff and faculty members were relocated to New Chancellor Day Hall and to temporary offices on McGill College Avenue.<ref>"Saying ‘au revoir’ to Old Chancellor Day Hall: The Faculty of Law is moving!" Template:Webarchive, McGill University Faculty of Law News, 10 June 2019</ref><ref name="auto"/>

In December 2017, representatives of the Clan Ross Association of Canada and members of the Faculty of Law unveiled a plaque commemorating James Ross. The plaque is located near the main entrance.<ref>"A mari usque ad mare : l’héritage de James L. Ross" Template:Webarchive, Law Focus online, February 2018</ref>

New Chancellor Day Hall

New Chancellor Day Hall was built in 1967 to address the Faculty of Law's growing program and increased enrolment.<ref name="auto5">Template:Cite book</ref> A six-storey precast concrete tower designed by architectural firm Bland, Lemoyne, Edwards, and Shine was erected just west of Chancellor Day Hall and connected to it by a corridor, at the cost of $1.825 million.<ref name="auto5"/> This extension was named New Chancellor Day Hall and blended with the adjacent Stewart Biological Sciences Building. New Chancellor Day Hall included additional classrooms, study spaces, and a moot court. Prior to the construction of the Gelber Law Library, the top floors of New Chancellor Day Hall housed the library.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1">Template:Cite news</ref>

The building was inaugurated on 21 January 1967. During the bilingual ceremony, the Faculty of Law awarded seven honorary degrees, including degrees to Chief Justice Robert Taschereau of Canada, Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States, and Lord Denning of Great Britain.<ref name="auto1"/> Following the inauguration of the Gelber Law Library in 1998, the empty floors of New Chancellor Day that had previously been used as the library were used by McGill University to house various small research units attached to different faculties.<ref name="auto3">Template:Cite journal</ref> In 2005, all student services at the Faculty of Law were consolidated on the fourth floor of New Chancellor Day Hall.

From 2008 to 2009, New Chancellor Day Hall underwent major renovations. The project overhauled the third, fifth, and sixth floors. New architectural features included adding a massive skylight above a staircase between the fifth and sixth floors, piercing windows on the sixth floor, and creating partially frosted glass partitions between offices to allow natural light inside interior offices. The third floor is devoted to student spaces – accommodating a multimedia classroom with movable walls and a seminar room. The third floor is also home to multiple student clubs, student-run law journals, and the graduate students' lounge. The fifth and sixth floors feature a conference room, and house some of the Faculty's research units, as well as offices for professors, staff, graduate students, and visiting scholars.<ref name="auto3"/>

Nahum Gelber Law Library

The Nahum Gelber Law Library is one of the 13 branches of the McGill University Library and houses over 220,000 volumes of statutes, regulations, law reports, treatises, books, journals and other legal material. Designed by Dan Hanganu, the Nahum Gelber Law Library was inaugurated September 1998.<ref name="auto2"/> The building was designed to link to New and Old Chancellor Day Halls via a two-level atrium for socializing and studying.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The Gelber Library is home to the Wainwright Collection, which was established in 1958 with the acquisition of several hundred volumes dedicated to the history of French law.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The collection is primarily composed of early French jurists on general civil law before the Codification of 1804 and was the personal library of French legal historian François Olivier-Martin.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Over the years, the Wainwright fund has allowed the Library to expand the collection beyond the classic vision of civil law, centred on France, to reflect the global influence of civil law across languages and continents. Today, the collection consists of 800 works comprising 1200 volumes and is conserved in controlled atmospheric conditions in the Peter M. Laing Room, located on the second floor of the Gelber Law Library.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Reputation

Template:Canadian university rankingsGraduates of the Faculty consistently account for one quarter of Canada's Supreme Court clerkships,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> more than any law school in Canada.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> One of the small number of elite law schools internationally that may submit International Court of Justice (ICJ) clerkship applications, it also consistently places graduates at the ICJ,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and has a better placement record than any other Canadian law school.

Its flagship law review, the McGill Law Journal, is the most cited law faculty review by Canada's Supreme Court, and was ranked the best overall student-run law journal in the world outside of the United States. It also publishes the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation, the standard reference work for almost all Canadian law reviews, Canadian law schools, and courts.

The McGill University Faculty of Law has consistently placed among the top three ranking law schools in Canada, and has historically placed in the top 35 law schools globally on multiple ranking systems.<ref name="mcgill.ca">Template:Cite web</ref> It was recently ranked the 41st best law school worldwide in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was ranked the 33rd best law school in the world in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, marking consistent showings for McGill in the top 35 worldwide in the ranking.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For the 2023 ranking, the Times Higher Education ranked the Faculty the 17th best law school in the world.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2025, the McGill University Faculty of Law placed 2nd place in the prestigious Willem C. Vis Moot International Competition out of a total of a cohort of 384 international law schools.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2023, the McGill University Faculty of Law had a 97.3% bar pass rate, the best rate in Quebec.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

McGill Law’s connection to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is rooted in the work of McGill scholar John Peters Humphrey, who served as the principal drafter of early versions of the Declaration while affiliated with the United Nations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> McGill now preserves his papers in the Humphrey fonds, which include early handwritten drafts, correspondence with Eleanor Roosevelt, lecture notes, and records of his human rights advocacy. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2025, UNESCO inscribed the Humphrey Archives on its Memory of the World International Register, recognizing McGill’s foundational contribution to documenting the UDHR’s drafting history. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Controversies

2024–2025 Faculty strike, labour disputes, and Bill 89 challenge

In 2024, professors in McGill’s Faculty of Law, represented by the Association of McGill Professors of Law (AMPL), began an unlimited strike following stalled bargaining and the university administration’s challenge to the union’s certification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The strike disrupted classes and grading for several weeks before being suspended on June 20, 2024, after McGill promised further negotiation dates in August.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When McGill instead requested the Quebec Minister of Labour to impose arbitration and subsequently refused to negotiate, the union resumed its strike on August 26, 2024. On August 30, the Quebec Labour Tribunal ruled that McGill, Provost Christopher Manfredi, Vice-President Fabrice Labeau, and Dean Robert Leckey had prima facie violated the Quebec Labour Code by communicating directly with union members, and ordered McGill to cease such actions and post the ruling publicly.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2025, four certified faculty associations at McGill — including AMPL — filed a constitutional challenge in the Quebec Superior Court against Quebec’s Bill 89, provincial legislation expanding government powers to define “essential services” and limit strikes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, McGill dropped its separate legal challenge to the law-faculty union’s certification following renewed bargaining progress, effectively ending the dispute.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These events generated class disruptions, court proceedings, and broader debate over academic labour rights and institutional autonomy in Canada.

2021–2024 Unionization and administrative controversy

After dissatisfaction with McGill University's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and what professors described as centralized faculty governance, full-time professors at the Faculty of Law formed the Association of McGill Professors of Law (AMPL) and filed for certification with Quebec's Tribunal administratif du travail on November 7, 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> McGill disputed the certification but lost before the Tribunal on November 8, 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following continued delays in collective bargaining, AMPL members conducted a one-day strike on February 13, 2024, and later initiated an unlimited strike beginning April 24, 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During the strike, Provost Christopher Manfredi inadvertently copied a law student and journalist on an internal email to President Deep Saini and Dean Robert Leckey, writing, “I’m a bit worried about the people we’re sending into the legal profession.”<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The message, which appeared to question student ability amid widespread support for the strike, drew criticism from faculty and students. Manfredi apologized, though neither Saini nor Leckey publicly distanced themselves from the remarks. Later that summer, McGill announced graduation ceremonies for students without final grades due to the ongoing strike, prompting debate about compliance with university regulations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2018 Student accessibility lawsuit

In 2018, the Faculty of Law and the McGill Office for Students with Disabilities were sued by a blind law student who alleged systematic denial of academic accommodation. The case was reported in local and national media outlets.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

Current faculty chair-holders and emeritus professors

Andrea Bjorklund, holder of the L. Yves Fortier Chair in International Arbitration and International Commercial Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Adelle Blackett, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Transnational Labour Law and Development,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> former member of the International Labour Organization.
Allison Christians, holder of the H. Heward Stikeman Chair in Tax Law.
Bartha Knoppers Canadian law Professor and an expert on the ethical aspects of genetics, genomics and biotechnology
François Crépeau, former director of the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, holder of the Hans and Tamar Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law, and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants.
Helge Dedek, holder of the Arnold Wainwright Chair in Civil Law.
Yaëll Emerich, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Transsystemic Property and Sustainable Communities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Evan Fox-Decent, Canada Research Chair in Cosmopolitan Law and Justice<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and President, Association of McGill Professors of Law.<ref name="McGill law professors launch unlimi">Template:Cite web</ref>
Fabien Gélinas, holder of the Sir William C. Macdonald Chair.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
E. Richard Gold, holder of a James McGill Professorship, Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Strategic Lead, Policy and Training at Conscience.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sébastien Jodoin, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Human Rights, Health and the Environment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Marie Manikis, holder of a William Dawson Chair.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Frédéric Mégret, holder of the Hans & Tamar Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Aaron Mills, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Constitutionalism and Philosophy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Johanne Poirier, holder of the Peter MacKell Chair in Federalism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
René Provost, holder of a James McGill Professorship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Stephen Allan Scott, professor emeritus and leading scholar on the Canadian Constitution.
Colleen Sheppard, holder of the FR Scott Chair in Public & Constitutional Law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Daniel Weinstock, holder of the Katharine A. Pearson Chair in Civil Society and Public Policy.
Peer Zumbansen, Business law professor, co-founder of the German Law Journal

Past faculty members

Payam Akhavan, former UN prosecutor at The Hague.
F. H. Buckley (LLB 1974), Foundation Professor at George Mason University School of Law
Irwin Cotler (BCL 1961, LLD 2019), human rights lawyer, former MP for Mount Royal and former Canadian Minister of Justice
Julius Grey (BCL 1971), Quebec human rights lawyer
Ralph Simmonds Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia
Joseph Cohen, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec for Montréal–Saint-Laurent
John Cobb Cooper (LLD 1952), founded the Institute of Air & Space Law at McGill University in 1951
Paul-André Crépeau, responsible for drafting the new Civil Code of Quebec
Armand de Mestral, Jean Monnet Chair in the Law of International Economic Integration.
Herbert Marx, Canadian lawyer, university law professor, politician, and judge
James Mallory – for many years Canada's leading constitutional scholar
Christophe-Alphonse Geoffrion, Canadian lawyer, professor, and Canadian cabinet member
Charles Joseph Doherty (BCL 1876, Hon. LLD 1913) – Minister of Justice and Attorney General, 1911–1921
H. Patrick Glenn, comparative legal scholar and author of "Legal Traditions of the World".
Patrick Healy (BCL 1981), judge at the Quebec Court of Appeal.
John Peters Humphrey (BCL 1929, LLB 1976), founding Director of the United Nations Human Rights division and principal drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Daniel Jutras, former Dean of McGill Law and current Recteur of Université de Montréal
Marianne Scott, first woman to be appointed as National Librarian of Canada
David Johnston (LLD 2000), fourteenth Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, and former Governor General of Canada
Pierre-Marc Johnson, Canadian lawyer, physician, 24th premier of Quebec
Nicholas Kasirer (BCL 1985, LLB 1985), scholar of civil law, comparative law, and law and language, Dean of the faculty 2004–2009, Supreme Court of Canada judge
Donald James Johnston (BCL 1958, LLD 2003), 4th Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Attorney General of Canada from 1984 to 1988.
David Lametti (BCL 1989, LLB 1989), MP for LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Canadian Minister of Justice, and former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Robert Leckey (BCL/LLB 2002), Superior Court of Quebec judge; formerly dean and holder of the Samuel Gale Chair.
Richard Lehun (BCL/LLB 2005, DCL 2007) German-Canadian inter-disciplinary visual artist, professor of fiduciary law and justice theory
W. C. J. Meredith, special federal prosecutor at the trial of Fred Rose, for whom the Meredith Memorial Lectures are named
Roderick A. Macdonald, Dean of the faculty (1984-1989) influential law reformer, scholar, teacher, mentor and Founding President of the Law Commission of Canada<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Yves-Marie Morissette, civil and comparative law scholar, Quebec Court of Appeal judge.
Stephen A. Smith, scholar of contractual and remedial law.
Margaret Somerville, ethicist and former Samuel Gale Professor of Law.
William Tetley, maritime law scholar, Quebec MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Cabinet Minister.
Michael Trebilcock legal scholar in economics
Stephen Toope (BCL 1983, LLB 1983, LLD 2017), international law scholar, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University and former President of the University of British Columbia.
Orville Sievwright Tyndale, Canadian judge and Chancellor of McGill University
Robert Stanley Weir (BCL 1880, DCL 1897), Quebec judge, considered one of the leading experts of the day on Quebec's municipal civil law

Alumni

Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada

Douglas Abbott (BCL 1918), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1954, previously Minister of National Defence and Minister of Finance<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Louis-Philippe de Grandpré (BCL 1938), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1974, formerly president of the Canadian Bar Association<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Marie Deschamps (LLM 1983), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 2002, previously a Judge on the Quebec Court of Appeal<ref>"The Honourable Marie Deschamps" Template:Webarchive,Supreme Court of Canada</ref>
Morris Fish (BCL 1962), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 2003, previously a Judge on the Quebec Court of Appeal<ref>"The Honourable Morris Fish" Template:Webarchive,Supreme Court of Canada</ref>
Clément Gascon (BCL 1981), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 2014, previously a Judge on the Quebec Court of Appeal<ref>"The Honourable Clément Gascon" Template:Webarchive,Supreme Court of Canada</ref>
Désiré Girouard (BCL 1860), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1895, previously member of Parliament<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Charles D. Gonthier (BCL 1951), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1989, previously a Judge on the Quebec Court of Appeal<ref>"The Honourable Charles Doherty Gonthier" Template:Webarchive,Supreme Court of Canada</ref>
Mahmud Jamal (BCL’93, LLB’93), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 2021, previously a Judge on the Court of Appeal for Ontario<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Nicholas Kasirer (BCL 1985, LLB 1985), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 2019, previously a Judge on the Quebec Court of Appeal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gerald Le Dain (BCL 1949), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1984, previously a Judge on the Federal Court of Appeal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sheilah L. Martin (BCL 1981, LLB 1981), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 2017, previously judge of the Court of Appeal of Alberta<ref>"The Honourable Sheilah L. Martin" Template:Webarchive,Supreme Court of Canada</ref>
Pierre-Basile Mignault (BCL 1878), puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1918, previously President of the Bar of Montreal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Thibaudeau Rinfret (BCL 1900), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada – appointed to the Court in 1924, previously a Judge on the Superior Court of Quebec<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Jurists and legal professionals

Jean-Louis Baudouin (BCL 1958, LLD 2007)
Akintola Olufemi Eyiwunmi (LLM 1964), justice for the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Morag Wise, Lady Wise (LLM 1994) - Senator of the College of Justice, a judge of Scotland's Supreme Court.
Harry Batshaw (BCL 1924), justice for the Quebec Superior Court
Robert Black (LLM 1970), Professor Emeritus of Scots Law at the University of Edinburgh
Joseph Dainow (BCL 1929), prominent Canadian-American professor of law Louisiana State University
Alanna Devine (BCL/LLB 2006), former director of Animal Advocacy at the Montreal branch of the Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
John Gomery (BCL 1956), former judge of the Quebec Superior Court.
Benjamin J. Greenberg (BA’54, BCL’57), judge for the Quebec Superior Court
R. A. E. Greenshields (BCL 1885), Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec; Dean of the McGill University Faculty of Law, and 9th Chancellor of Bishop's University
Julius Grey (BCL 1971), Quebec human rights lawyer
Michelle Hanlon (LLM 2017), founder and president of For All Moonkind, president of the National Space Society, co-director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law
Alexandra Harrington (DCL 2015), Professor of Law at Albany Law School
Chile Eboe-Osuji (LLM 1991), Nigerian judge of the International Criminal Court, The Hague and former President of the International Criminal Court
Alison Harvison-Young (BCL 1983, LLB 1983), family law expert and judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, former Dean of Queen's University Faculty of Law
James K. Hugessen (BCL 1957) judge currently serving on the Federal Court of Canada
William Carlos Ives (BCL 1899), judge for the Supreme Court of Alberta
Mahmud Jamal (BCL/LLB 1993), former judge on the Court of Appeal for Ontario; now a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada
Glenn Joyal (BCL 1986), Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba
Bartha Knoppers (BCL 1978, LLB 1981) Canadian law Professor and an expert on the ethical aspects of genetics, genomics and biotechnology
Richard Lehun (BCL/LLB 2005, DCL 2007) German-Canadian inter-disciplinary visual artist, professor of fiduciary law and justice theory
Allan Lutfy (BCL 1968) Justice and former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Canada
Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge
Amir Ali Majid (DCL 1985), Pakistani judge, legal scholar and author, first blind person in the world to become a Doctor of Civil Law
Edward Stuart McDougall, judge on the International Military Tribunal for the Far East
Mayo Moran (LLB 1990), Professor of Law, Provost and Vice-Chancellor of Trinity College, Toronto
Siobhán Phelan (LLM 1994), judge of the High Court of Ireland
Geneviève Saumier (BCL 1991, LLB 1991), former professor at McGill Law, current Dean at Université de Montréal Faculty of Law
Brian Slattery (BCL 1968), Professor Emeritus of Law at Osgoode Hall Law School, prominent academic in Canadian Constitutional Law and Aboriginal rights discourse
Margaret Somerville (DCL 1978), Australian ethicist and professor of bioethics at University of Notre Dame Australia
George Springate, former CFL player for the Grey-cup winning Montreal Alouettes, politician, and Citizenship Judge
Max M. Teitelbaum (BCL 1957), puisne justice of the Federal Court of Canada.<ref>Federal Court of Canada</ref>
Rıza Türmen (LLM 1980) – former judge of the European Court of Human Rights, former Member of the Turkish Parliament and Turkish Ambassador to Switzerland
Richard Warman (LLM 2004), renowned Canadian human rights lawyer
Jeremy Webber (BCL/LLB 1984), Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria Dean of Law 2013-2018
Ashfaq Khalfan (BCL/LLB 2002), international jurist in human rights law, Director of the Law and Policy Programme at Amnesty International, and Chair of the Board of Governors of the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

Political figures

John Abbott (BCL 1854),<ref>"Abbott, Sir John Joseph Caldwell" Template:Webarchive,Dictionary of Canadian Biography</ref> 3rd Prime Minister of Canada.
Doris Akol (LLM 2001) – Former Commissioner General Uganda Revenue Authority
Warren Allmand (BCL 1952) – served variously as Solicitor General, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs between 1972 and 1979.
Will Amos (BCL/LLB 2004), Liberal politician, MP for the riding of Pontiac.
W. David Angus (BCL 1962), former Canadian senator
Laetitia Avia (LLM 2013), French lawyer and politician of La République En Marche! (LREM) who served as the member of the National Assembly for the 8th constituency of Paris from 2017 to 2022
Rachel Bendayan (BA’02, BCL/LLB’06) – Member of Parliament for Outremont
Peng Ming-min (LLM 1953) – prominent Taiwanese democracy and independence activist
Albert Joseph Brown (BCL 1886) – Senator for Wellington, 1932–1938
Barry Campbell (BCL 1971) – lawyer, lobbyist and former politician
Leo Kolber (BCL 1952) – Canadian businessman, philanthropist and Senator, serving from 1983 to 2004
Sir Richard Lionel Cheltenham – President of the Senate of Barbados from 2018 to 2020
Jérôme Choquette (BCL 1946) – prominent lawyer and Quebec politician
Michal Cotler-Wunsh (LLM 2006) – Israeli politician, member of the Knesset for the Blue and White alliance
George Washington Stephens (BCL 1863) – Canadian businessman, lawyer, and politician
Maurice Alexander (BA 1908; BCL 1910) – Liberal Member of the House of Commons in the British Parliament for Southwark South East, UK
Rıza Türmen (LLM 1980) – ambassador of Turkey to Switzerland
Brooke Claxton (BCL 1946) – Minister of Health, 1943–1946; Minister of National Defence, 1946–1954.
John Joseph Curran (LLB 1862) – first Solicitor General of Canada.
Henry Joseph Cloran (BCL 1883) – Senator for Victoria, Quebec, 1903–1928
Samuel William Jacobs (BCL 1893) – Canadian lawyer, Member of Parliament and a leader of the Canadian Jewish community
Thomas D'Arcy McGee (BCL 1861),<ref>"McGill University Alumni: Public Service" Template:Webarchive,About McGill</ref> Member of Parliament, Minister of agriculture, immigration and statistics, and Father of Canadian Confederation.
Charles Dewey Day Chancellor of McGill University 1864–1884, political figure in Canada East.
Charles Drury (BCL 1936) – Minister of Finance, Defence, Public Works, Industry, President of the Treasury Board
Ken Dryden (LLB 1973), cabinet minister, MP for York Centre, and Hockey Hall of Fame member, six-time Stanley Cup Winner
Brian Gallant (LLM 2011), former Premier of New Brunswick.
Yoine Goldstein (BCL 1958), former Canadian senator.
Harry Blank (BCL 1950) – Attorney, Liberal politician, and seven-term member of the National Assembly of Quebec
Stanley Hartt (BCL 1963), lawyer, businessman and chief of staff to Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
Arnold Heeney (BCL 1927) – ambassador to the United States and NATO.
Christopher Benfield Carter (BCL 1866) – Quebec lawyer and politician
George Carlyle Marler (BCL 1922) – Quebec politician, notary and philatelist
Véronique Hivon (BCL 1994, LLB 1994), member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Joliette.
Balarama Holness (JD/BCL 2021), rights activist, former Canadian Football League (CFL) player, candidate for mayor in the 2021 Montreal municipal elections<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Anthony Housefather (BCL 1993, LLB 1993), Liberal politician, MP for the riding of Mount Royal.
John Peters Humphrey (BCom’25, BA’27, BCL’29, PhD’45, LLD’76), first director of the UN's Human Rights Division, principal author of the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
George Gordon Hyde (BCL 1908), prominent lawyer and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec for Westmount–Saint-Georges
Samuel William Jacobs (BCL 1893) – Member of Parliament for George-Étienne Cartier, Quebec.
Kurt Jaeger (LLM 1989) – current Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the United States
Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain (BCL’50, LLD’97), first woman to become a member of the National Assembly of Quebec, lawyer and judge.
Adrian Knatchbull-Hugessen (BCL 1914), Canadian lawyer and senator
Jeff Kurzon (BCL 2003, LLB 2003), New York City attorney and politician
Rodolphe Laflamme (BCL 1856, DCL 1873), 5th Attorney General of Canada
Michael Pitfield (BCL 1958), former Canadian Senator and senior civil servant
David Lametti (BCL 1989, LLB 1989), Liberal politician, MP for the riding of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Canadian Minister of Justice, and former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier (BCL 1866),<ref>"History of McGill University: 1821-1875" Template:Webarchive,About McGill</ref> 7th Prime Minister of Canada.
Joël Lightbound (BCL/LLB 2011), Liberal politician, MP for the riding of Louis-Hébert.
Hillel Neuer (BCL 1997, LLB 1997), international lawyer, writer, and executive director of UN Watch.
Peter Samuel George Mackenzie (BCL 1883) – Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec for Richmond
Donald Macmaster (BCL 1871) – elected politician in both Canada and the United Kingdom
Alan Macnaughton (BCL 1927) – former Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Commons.
Joni Madraiwiwi (LLM 1989) – former acting president and vice-president of the Republic of Fiji and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Nauru
Marcel Massé (BCL 1961) – Canadian politician, civil servant and Rhodes Scholar
Catherine McKenna (LLB 1999), Liberal politician, MP for the riding of Ottawa Centre, and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
Marc Miller (BCL/LLB 2001) Lawyer and MP for the Liberal current Canadian Minister of Indigenous Services
Walter George Mitchell (BCL 1901) Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec for Richmond
Elizabeth Monk (BCL 1923) Canadian lawyer and Montreal city councillor, one of the first two women admitted to the Quebec Bar
Alexander Morris (BCL 1850, MA 1852, and a DCL 1862), the second Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba (1872–1877)
Frederick Debartzch Monk (BCL 1877) – Minister of Public Works, 1911–1912
Thomas Mulcair (BCL 1976, LLB 1977), former leader of the NDP of the Official Opposition, MP for Outremont, former Quebec MNA for Chomedy and Minister of Environment.
Joe Oliver (BCL 1964), former MP for Eglinton—Lawrence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Natural Resources.
Narcisse Pérodeau (BCL 1876), a Quebec politician and the 14th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.
Jim Peterson (DCL 1970) – Minister of International Trade, 2003–2006.
Sydney David Pierce (BCL 1925, LLD 1956) – Olympic hurdler and ambassador to Brazil, Belgium, Luxembourg, Mexico, and the OECD.
Lazarus Phillips (BCL 1918), Canadian lawyer and Senator.
John Rankin (LLM 1984) – current Governor-General of Bermuda
Greg Rickford (BCL/LLB 2005) – Minister of Natural Resources, 2014–2015.
Alexander Cameron Rutherford (BCL 1881), first premier of Alberta, founder of the University of Alberta.
Larry W. Smith (BCL 1976), former Canadian senator, nine season running back for Montreal Alouettes and 8th commissioner of the CFL.
Francis R. Scott (BCL 1927, LLD 1967), constitutional rights lawyer, civil libertarian, poet, founder of the first social democratic party and the NDP
Kathleen Weil (BCL 1982, LLB 1982), member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
William Alexander Weir (BCL 1881), Quebec judge and politician
Nick Whalen (LLB 2011), Lawyer and former MP for the Liberal Party
Kirsten Hillman (BCL 1993, LLB 1993), Canadian ambassador to the United States

Other alumni

Ian DeVere Archer (LLM 1968) – Secretary of Health and Social Security of Barbados and former chairman of Caribbean Airlines (national airline of Barbados)
Isidore Gordon Ascher (BCL 1862), Scottish-Canadian novelist and poet
Marc Barbeau (BCL’84, LLB’84), Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Air Canada
David Berger (BCL 1975), former President of the Canadian Football League and member of parliament
Strachan Bethune, twice Bâtonnier of Montreal and the 1st Anglican Chancellor of the Diocese of Montreal
David P. O'Brien (BCL 1965), businessman, currently as chairman of Royal Bank of Canada
David W. Binet (LLB 1985), Deputy Chairman, Thomson Reuters; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Woodbridge Company
Peter Blaikie (BCL 1965), Quebec lawyer, politician, co-founder of Heenan Blaikie
Mark Boidman, prominent media and tech investment banker and attorney, specializing in mergers and acquisitions
Walker Boone, actor, best known as the voice of the Nintendo character Mario
Michael Byers (BCL, LLB 1992), Canadian legal scholar and non-fiction author
Lionel Chetwynd (BCL 1967), British-American screenwriter, director and producer
Eleanor Clitheroe (LLM 1978), former president and CEO of Hydro One
David Cohen (BCL 1972), prominent immigration lawyer
Leonard Cohen, singer-songwriter (who only did a year of Law before dropping out)
Chuck Comeau, drummer for Simple Plan (studied law but ultimately dropped out)
James Creighton (BCL 1880) "father of organized hockey"
Caroline Crossley (BCL/JD Candidate) Olympic Rugby Silver medalist
Mary Dawson (BCL 1963), civil servant, former Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of Canada.
James de Beaujeu Domville (BCL 1957) theatrical producer and administrator, former commissioner of National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Dennis Draper (dropped out before completing his studies), Brigadier-General, Chief Constable of the Toronto Police Department from 1928 to 1946
Yves Fortier (BCL 1958, LLD 2005), Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations and President of the United Nations Security Council.
George Buchanan Foster (BCL 1921), First World War flying ace and prominent attorney.
Michael Goldbloom (BCL 1978, LLB 1979), Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Quebec; former publisher of the Toronto Star
Jonathan Ross Goodman (JD/LLB, MBA 1994) Founder, Executive Chairman Knight Therapeutics and founder of Paladin Labs Inc.
Shaul Gordon (BCL/JD 2019, LLM 2021), Canadian-Israeli award-winning fencer, Olympic athlete (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
Charles Goren (BCL 1922), American bridge player and best-selling writer
Anne-France Goldwater (BCL 1980), attorney and television judge personality on "L'Arbitre"
Magda Grace (BCL/JD 2011), head of Amazon Prime Video for Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
A. Jean de Grandpré (BCL 1943), first chairman and CEO of BCE Inc.
Sébastien Lebel-Grenier (DCL 2002), Principal and Vice- Chancellor Bishop's University
Roy Heenan (BCL 1960, LLD 2008), Labour lawyer, academic, and co-founder of Heenan Blaikie
Nandasiri Jasentuliyana (LLM 1965), Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Deputy Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna, President of International Institute of Space Law
Alex Johnston (BCL/LLB 1999), lawyer, author, and businesswoman, co-chair of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada
Edward Johnson (BCL/LLB 1978), chair of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation
Tasha Kheiriddin (BCL/LLB 1993), conservative television media personality, public policy analyst and commentator
Hubert Lacroix (BCL 1976), former CEO and President of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
David Lawee (BCL 1993), tech executive, founder of Google Capital
John Harrison (LLB 1989, LLM 1992), British lawyer and general counsel of Airbus since 2015
Anthony Lemke (BCL/LLB) television and film actor, lawyer and entrepreneur
Annie MacDonald Langstaff (BCL 1914), the first woman to earn a law degree in Quebec, a legal activist, supporter of women's suffrage and an early woman aviator
Stephen Leopold (BCL 1975), Canadian real estate developer
William Douw Lighthall(BCL 1881), lawyer, historian, novelist, poet and philosopher
James Lockyer (LLB 1973), founding director of the Innocence Canada
David Ross McCord (BCL 1867) lawyer, philanthropist, founder of the McCord Museum
Hilmi M. Zawati (LLB 1978, MA 1986, PhD 1994, LLM 1997, DCL 2010), International Criminal Law Jurist, and Chair of Centre for International Accountability and Justice (CIAJ)
Benjamin Sormonte (BCL 2010, LLB 2010), co-founder of Maman Bakery with over 30 locations
Don Meehan (LLB 1975), founder of Newport Sports agency, which represents several hockey players in the NHL.
Mayo Moran (LLB 1990), Dean of University of Toronto Faculty of Law 2006–2014, first female dean.
Pierre Péladeau (BCL 1950), founder of Canadian media company Quebecor Inc.
Richard Pound (BCL 1962, LLD 2009), Canadian swimming champion, lawyer and prominent spokesman for ethics in sport.
Jennifer Stoddart (BCL 1980, LLD 2015), civil servant, sixth Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Frank Shoofey (BA 1961, BCL 1964), criminal lawyer
Timothy Porteous (BA'54, BCL'57), former head of the Canada Council and the Ontario College of Art and Design
Paulos Tesfagiorgis (LLM), Eritrean human rights activist
Stephen Toope (BCL 1983, LLB 1983, LLD 2017), international legal scholar, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University and former President of the University of British Columbia
Christopher Waters (LLM 1998, DCL 2002), Dean of University of Windsor Faculty of Law 2006–Present
Robert Stanley Weir (BCL 1880, DCL 1897), Quebec judge and poet most famous for writing the English lyrics to "O Canada", the national anthem of Canada
Mortimer Zuckerman (BCL 1961), Canadian-American billionaire media magnate, co-founder, executive chairman and former CEO of Boston Properties

Deans of the Faculty

The study of law at McGill began in 1844 when William Badgley was appointed lecturer in law within the Faculty of Arts. While informal classes began earlier, the Faculty of Law was officially established at McGill in 1853, with William Badgley appointed its first dean. Over the years, the following people have served the Faculty of Law as deans.<ref>"Vol. 1 R.G. 37: THE FACULTY OF LAW" Template:Webarchive, The Archival Records of McGill University</ref><ref>Ian Pilarczyk, "Chapter 1, p. 27" Template:Webarchive, A Noble Roster: One Hundred and Fifty Years of Law at McGill</ref><ref>"Professor Nicholas Kasirer completes extraordinary deanship" Template:Webarchive, McGill University News and Events, 2 June 2009</ref><ref>"Daniel Jutras named Dean of Law at McGill " Template:Webarchive, McGill University News and Events, 17 February 2010</ref><ref>"Robert Leckey named Dean of the Faculty of Law" Template:Webarchive, McGill University News and Events, 22 April 2016</ref> <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

1853–1855: William Badgley, DCL 1870
1855–1876: John Abbott, BCL 1854, DCL 1867
1876–1888: Template:Ill (acting dean, 1876–1881), BCL 1872
1888–1896: Norman W. Trenholme, BCL 1865, DCL 1887
1896–1897: Leonidas Davidson, BCL 1864
1897–1914: Frederick Parker Walton, LLD 1915
1914–1915: Sir Charles Peers Davidson (acting dean), BCL 1863, DCL 1875, LLD 1912
1915–1921: Robert Warden Lee, DCL 1877
1921–1928: R. A. E. Greenshields (acting dean, 1921–1923), BCL 1885, LLD 1929
1928–1936: Percy Ellwood Corbett, DCL 1961
1936–1946: C. Stuart Lemesurier, BCL 1912
1946: John P. Humphrey (dean designate), BCL 1929, PhD 1945, LLD 1976
1946–1949: C. Stuart Lemesurier, BCL 1912
1949: Gérald Fauteux, LLD 1955
1950: A. Sydney Bruneau, BCL 1917
1950–1960: W. C. J. Meredith
1960–1961: Maxwell Cohen (acting dean), LLD 1994
1961–1964: F. R. Scott, BCL 1927, LLD 1967
1964–1969: Maxwell Cohen, LLD 1994
1969–1974: John W. Durnford, BCL 1952
1974–1979: John E. C. Brierley, BCL 1959
1979–1980: William Foster (acting dean)
1980–1984: John E. C. Brierley, BCL 1959
1984–1989: Roderick A. Macdonald
1989–1994: Yves-Marie Morissette
1994–1999: Stephen Toope, BCL 1983, LLB 1983, LLD 2017
1999–2003: Peter Leuprecht
2003–2009: Nicholas Kasirer, BCL 1985, LLB 1985
2009: Shauna Van Praagh (acting dean)
2009–2016: Daniel Jutras (acting dean, 2009–2010)
2016–2025: Robert Leckey, BCL/LLB 2002
2025-present: Tina Piper (interim dean)

Student life

Law Student Association

The overarching student organization is the Law Student's Association (LSA): an elected group of law students who represent the student body. The LSA was created in 1912 and incorporated in 1992.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The executives and representatives of the LSA are elected by McGill's law students.

During the school year, the LSA hosts a weekly coffeehouse on Thursday evenings designed to encourage students to network and socialize over food and drink. The coffeehouse tradition was started in 1989 by David Lametti when he was part of the LSA.<ref name="autogenerated649">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Some coffeehouse events are sponsored by law firms for networking with students, while others are hosted by student associations and clubs.<ref name="autogenerated649"/>

Christie Bike Ride

The Dugald Christie Memorial Community Bike Ride, also called the Christie Bike Ride, is an annual charity fundraiser organized by McGill Law students. Funds are distributed to local organizations that increase access to justice, especially for marginalized communities. Past recipients of the funds include Project Genesis, Head and Hands, and the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal.<ref name="curran1">Template:Cite news</ref>

The Christie Bike Ride was started in 2009 in honour of alumnus Dugald Christie.<ref name="curran1"/> Christie was a Vancouver-based lawyer that championed access to justice for low-income communities. He was killed while cycling from Vancouver to Ottawa to raise awareness about access to justice.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Journals

McGill Law Journal

The McGill Law Journal (MLJ) was founded by Gerald Le Dain and Jacques-Yvan Morin in 1952. The MLJ publishes four volumes a year on general law topics. The MLJ is frequently cited by the Supreme Court of Canada and is the most cited student-run law journal by the Court.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The McGill Law Journal also publishes the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation. The original Guide was published in 1986 and was intended to standardize Canadian legal citations.<ref name="healy2018">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Today, the Guide is used by most Canadian legal journals.<ref name="healy2018"/> The McGill Law Journal regularly hosts office hours to assist McGill students using the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law

The McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law (MJSDL) was established in 2004 and focuses on sustainable development and environmental law and policy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is peer-reviewed and published bi-annually.

McGill Journal of Law and Health

The McGill Journal of Law and Health (MJLH) was established in 2007. It is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal and is published annually.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The MJLH focuses on health law and has been cited four times by the Supreme Court of Canada.<ref>Stewart v. Elk Valley Coal Corp. 2017 SCC 30</ref><ref>Cuthbertson v Rasouli 2013 SCC 53</ref><ref>R v Mabior 2012 SCC 47</ref><ref>Reference re Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2010 SCC 61</ref> Most recently, an article from the journal was cited in the Reference Re Assisted Human Reproduction Act.

McGill Journal of Dispute Resolution

The McGill Journal of Dispute Resolution (MJDR) is a bilingual peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to scholarship in the fields of arbitration, mediation, facilitation, negotiation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="mcgill1">Template:Cite web</ref> The McGill Journal of Dispute Resolution was first published in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Legal Information Clinic at McGill

The Legal Information Clinic at McGill is a non-profit legal information clinic for McGill students and the Montreal community.<ref name="mcgill1"/><ref name="mcgill2">Template:Cite news</ref> The Legal Information Clinic is a separate entity from McGill but is run by McGill law students. Originally founded in 1973 by then-law student Michael Bergman, the Clinic works on more than 2,000 cases a year.<ref name="mcgill2"/><ref name="crackower1">Template:Cite news</ref>

The Clinic also provides a student advocacy service for McGill students accused of disciplinary offences or looking to resolve disputes with McGill University.<ref name="mcgill2"/><ref name="crackower1"/>

Quid Novi

Quid Novi, also known colloquially as the Quid, is the Faculty of Law's student-run newspaper. Since the publication of its first edition in March 1981, Quid Novi has been a forum for both students and faculty to share news and opinions on both legal and non-legal matters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Quid Novi is published on a weekly basis during the academic year.

L.E.X. Outreach Program

The Faculty of Law of McGill University founded the Law-Éducation-Connexion Outreach Program, also called the L.E.X. Outreach Program, in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The program has law student volunteers deliver presentations at local schools and answer student questions. The program targets youth in communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the legal field and schools that have high dropout rates, with the goal of encouraging an interest in post-secondary education and legal studies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009, the program was expanded following a donation from the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

References

Template:Reflist

Hobbins, A. J. "Designating the Dean of Law: Attempts to Control the Nature of Legal Education at McGill University by the Montreal Corporate and Professional Elite, 1946–1950". Dalhousie Law Journal. XXVII (2004), pp. 163–202.
Pilarczyk, Ian C. " 'A Noble Roster': One Hundred and Fifty Years of Law at McGill" McGill University, 1999, ‘A Noble Roster’ | Ian C. Pilarczyk

External links

Template:McGill Template:Canadian law schools Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control

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