Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell, Law'76, to visit Queen's

Photo by Peter Emmerson Photography

Queen's Law '76 graduate Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court of Canada addresses the crowd at the alumni reception held in his honour in Toronto on April 29, 2009.

On September 30, 2009, Queen's Law will welcome Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court of Canada back to Kingston. Appointed on December 22, 2008, Justice Cromwell became the first Queen's Law alumnus to join the esteemed ranks of Canada's highest court. Queen's Law previously honoured Justice Cromwell in April at an alumni reception in Toronto.

"Justice Cromwell has always been a great friend of the law school," says Dean Bill Flanagan. "I am proud to share in this historic moment for all of us at Queen' Law as we welcome back our first graduate to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada."

Justice Cromwell has strong ties with the "Limestone City" and the University. He was born in Kingston, received a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen's in 1973 and graduated from Queen's Law in 1976. After completing a Bachelor of Civil Law (First Class) degree at Oxford and articles at Weir and Foulds in Toronto, he returned to the city to form a partnership with two fellow alumni at O'Hara, Cromwell and Wilkin. He also taught Civil Procedure as a special lecturer at Queen's Law from 1980 to 1982.

Justice Cromwell continued his academic career at Dalhousie Law School, earning a reputation as a highly regarded scholar and teacher. From 1992 to 1995, he served as Executive Legal Officer to then Chief Justice Antonio Lamer. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Cromwell served for almost 12 years on the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, where he was regarded as an intellectual heavyweight.

"I'm excited to welcome Justice Cromwell back to his alma mater," says Andrew Lee, Law '11. "This is where his legal path began, and his accomplishments are something everyone at Queen's Law can be proud of."

Justice Cromwell's visit will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Wallace Hall in the John Deutsch University Centre. He will deliver opening remarks followed by a Question and Answer period. Dean Flanagan has also invited Queen's Law alumni, faculty, staff and students to a reception with Justice Cromwell beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Student Lounge of Macdonald Hall.

"I am really looking forward to attending Justice Cromwell's visit," says Erica Maidment, MPA ‘08/Law '11. "I am honoured to be part of this historic event: the first Supreme Court justice to visit Queen's as an alumnus."

Queen's Law community members who would like to attend Justice Cromwell's lecture and/or the reception should RSVP to Amber Oomen by September 23 at amber.oomen@queensu.ca or 613-533-6000, ext. 78149.

Read the 2009 Queen's Law Reports cover story, "Tom Cromwell: A lawyer's lawyer...a judge's judge; Queen's Law graduate appointed to highest court" at http://law.queensu.ca/alumni/queensLawReports/lawReports2009.pdf

View pictures of the alumni event honouring Justice Cromwell in Toronto on April 29 at http://law.queensu.ca/alumni/alumniEvents/eventPhotoGallery/queensLawTorontoReceptionCromwell2009.html