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Allard School of Law Milestones
“During my time at law school I was taught by inspiring and passionate professors who contributed to my understanding and appreciation for the law,” said Stern. “I am pleased to support the expansion of the faculty while at the same time paying tribute to the many outstanding contributions of the Chief Justice. My gift is also intended to assist the law school in moving to the next level as an educator and contributor to society.”
During the Second World War, the Inns of Court in London, England were heavily damaged due to bombings by German forces. In solidarity with the British legal community, the Law Society of British Columbia provided assistance in rebuildings of the Inns of Court. In recognition of this assistance, a stone from the ruined Inner Temple was presented to the Law Society in 1948, and later found a home at the law school at the University of British Columbia where it was installed in 1951.
“During my time at law school I was aware of the many students who required financial aid,” said Klinck. “My gift is intended to provide this kind of support to law students with the particular aim of ensuring the success of Indigenous students.”
In support of this goal, Mr. J. E. (Jack) Klinck, QC generously donated $200,000 to provide $20,000 in annual bursary support for Indigenous law students over a ten year period. The awards assist students enrolled in the law school’s Indigenous Legal Studies Program who meet the award criteria.
“We are very excited at the opportunities created by this partnership,” said Avi Soifer, Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law. “UBC is an ideal fit for us, and the program offers wonderful immediate possibilities for our students as well as possible cooperative ventures in the future between our faculty members and our two great universities.”
The emergence of computers changed the legal field immensely, bringing easily searchable databases and drastically altering legal research methods. The UBC-IBM Cooperative Project in Law and Computers, established in 1985, was the first project to explore the application of technology to the legal profession and the delivery of legal services in Canada.
“My father always remembered the life-long lessons and friendships he gained here,” explained Derek, Mr. Franklin Lew’s son. “His education and experiences at UBC Law afforded him with many outstanding opportunities that shaped his career. It’s a great privilege for us to honour him with this gift to the school, with the hopes that it will help future generations of students embrace new opportunities and achieve success.”
The Right Honourable Lord Alfred Thompson Denning, one of the most well known jurists of the 20th century, joined in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first graduation of law students from the law school at the University of British Columbia. The Class of 1948, also marking their 20 year reunion, commemorated the special occasion by inviting Lord Denning to be their guest of honour. Lord Denning was well known for his wit, as well as his landmark judicial decisions in cases like Beswick v. Beswick and Central London Property Trust Ltd v.
The Innocence Project at the Peter A. Allard School of Law provides post-conviction review of criminal cases in response to claims of a wrongful conviction. The Innocence Project at UBC engages the talents and enthusiasm of law students, working under the supervision of the Project's Director and volunteer lawyers, to locally review claims of wrongful conviction in British Columbia. Ultimately, it seeks to expose, document, and prevent wrongful convictions.
The International Justice and Human Rights Clinic at the Peter A. Allard School of Law was established in 2014 thanks to the Franklin Lew Innovation Fund. The Clinic builds on the Peter A Allard School of Law's reputation as a bastion for Human Rights.
Allard Hall, home of the Peter A. Allard School of Law, at the University of British Columbia, has received multiple nominations and awards for its design. The architectural firm of Diamond Schmitt envisioned the building as a structure to enhance legal education and the student experience. Allard Hall has been registered as a LEED Gold structure, compliant with the University of British Columbia's mandate to construct all buildings to a LEED Gold standard, beginning in 2008.