School founder turns 80

Photo by Ron Murdock

Dean Bill Flanagan (right) presents Professor Emeritus Dan Soberman with a gift at his 80th birthday celebration held at the University Club on October 20, 2009.

Retired and current faculty and staff members and friends celebrated Professor Emeritus Dan Soberman’s 80th birthday at the University Club on October 20, 2009.

Soberman, who founded Queen’s Law in 1957 with the late Dr. J.A. Corry and the late Professor Stuart Ryan served as the school’s second dean. An expert in constitutional and corporate law, Soberman is renowned as a pioneer in legal education. In 2008, he was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the school.  

Dean Bill Flanagan, Professor Emeritus Bernie Adell, and Professor Emeritus David Mullan, LLM ’73, each paid tribute to Soberman before the crowd of well-wishers on this special occasion. Adell also read a note from Professor Emeritus John Whyte, Law ‘68. They spoke highly of Soberman as an academic, leader, visionary and person.  

Presenting Soberman with a gift, Flanagan said, “On behalf of all of us at the Faculty of Law, congratulations on your 80th birthday. Your contributions to the law school have been immense and we’re all very grateful to you.”

Soberman, moved to see so many of his former colleagues in attendance, said, “I’ll always remember this luncheon and my long years at Queen’s.”

For more photos of Professor Emeritus Soberman’s birthday celebration, see the photo gallery at http://law.queensu.ca/news/archives/october2009/sobermanBirthday/soberman80BirthdayCelebration.html

For more information about Professor Emeritus Soberman’s distinguished career, read the story “School pioneer awarded honorary degree” on pg. 27 of Queen’s Law Reports 2008 at http://law.queensu.ca/alumni/queensLawReports/lawReports2008.pdf .