Ribbon cut on Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Classroom

Photo by Bernard Clark

Jim Parks (middle), Law '71, a partner at Cassels Brock, cuts the ribbon on the Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Classroom with Dean Bill Flanagan and Mark Young, Cassels Brock’s managing partner.

Members of the Queen’s Law community and guests gathered in Macdonald Hall on March 16 to mark the official dedication of the Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Classroom. The new high-tech room is named in honour of one of Canada’s leading full-service law firms, recognizing its $200,000 leadership gift to the school’s recently completed $1.3-million Classroom Renewal Project. 

Situated in a prime second-floor location, the Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Classroom features a videoconference facility and state-of-the-art educational technology, with contemporary furnishings. 

“This classroom is going to have a major impact on our program,” said Dean Bill Flanagan, who has already brought two experts located abroad (from Geneva and Singapore) to his International Trade Law class via videoconference. “This room will be available for all our classes so we can bring in people from all over the world to participate in our law program. None of that would have been possible without this leadership gift from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.” 

Joining Flanagan as one of the first faculty members to teach in the new classroom is Professor Erik Knutsen, whose Complex Liability students also make use of the technology for their presentations. “Using slides, video and internet together to drive home key arguments makes the whole learning experience come alive,” he said. “It makes discussion more lively -- all with the touch of a button!”

Cassels Brock’s managing partner Mark Young spoke on behalf of the firm. “We have a strong Queen’s Law alumni group at our firm, and I am just happy to represent all of them. We are delighted to have participated in the project and helped make a difference.” Addressing Flanagan and the administration, he added, “We’d like to congratulate you on doing such a spectacular job of renovating this building and rejuvenating the classrooms.”

Both Flanagan and Young thanked Jim Parks, Law ‘71, a partner at Cassels Brock and member of the Dean’s Council for his instrumental role in the project as a tremendous supporter of Queen’s Law and a great ambassador for the school. 

After the speeches, the audience of students, faculty and staff watched Flanagan, Young and Parks cut the ribbon at the doorway of the Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Classroom. 

“The new technology in the classroom has been immensely beneficial,” said Brianna Butchart, Law ‘12, LSS President and a student in the Dean’s course. “We have been able to converse with lawyers in Geneva and Singapore, asking them behind-the-scenes questions about cases we are studying in class. Talk about making class engaging!”

For more pictures of the celebration, see the photo gallery at http://law.queensu.ca/news/archives/march2011/cbbClassroomDedicationPhotos.html