Law'11 classmates celebrate their 10th-anniversary reunion with Professor Nick Bala, Law'77, at Homecoming 2021.

Alumni from across Canada and in the U.S. tuned in to virtual Homecoming on October 15 and 16. They reunited with classmates, learned the latest about their alma mater, and discovered the Conflict Analytics Lab’s latest innovations.

“It was so lovely to gather for our 25th anniversary reunion,” says Leanne Kaufman, Law’96, President and CEO of RBC Royal Trust. “While we all would have liked to see each other in person, it was a great alternative to be able to connect virtually and catch up. Homecoming has also given us the opportunity to reconnect with a broader group of classmates via email, to better stay in touch between formal reunions. Thanks to the Queen’s team for keeping us organized and connected!”

Her Law’96 classmate, Kathryn Manning, a partner with DMG Advocates LLP, agrees, adding, “The best thing about our reunion was seeing some classmates that I have not seen in a very long time. While in person is always better, the virtual event allowed for some great discussions with those who joined and for people to connect from afar – we even had someone join us from California.”

Kaufman’s and Manning’s class, along with Law’01, ’06, ’11, and ’16 kicked off the weekend with class reunions. 

Jeremy Fox, Law’11, a partner with Marciano Beckenstein LLP, participated in his 10th anniversary reunion. “There have been lots of profound life-oriented developments over the past 10 years for my class, and a surface level synopsis was much appreciated and exacerbated the nostalgia. It was a delight to hear about developments at Queen’s Law and to reminisce with classmates – and Professor Nick Bala.” 

Fox’s Law’11 classmate Christine Ashbourne organized a Jeopardy-type trivia game. “It’s amazing (and scary) to be sternly reminded of how much law that we learned (and may have subsequently forgotten) since our glory law school days, and to be reminded of all the influential professors and scholars at Queen’s Law, and hotspots around Kingston,” he says. 

In presenting school updates at the Law event on October 16, Dean Mark Walters, Law’89, began by saying, “By far the largest undertaking of this year has been the intricate planning that has gone into the safe return to campus. Since April, everyone at the Faculty of Law stepped up to support the transition to in-person learning to ensure that our students would receive a rich and engaging learning experience, develop life-long personal connections, and expand their intellectual curiosity, all within a in a safe and supportive environment.” 

Those efforts, along with continued support from alumni, was greatly appreciated by students as expressed by class representatives from each year: Ross Denny-Jiles, Law’21, event host and Law Students’ Society President; Varda Anwar, Law’22; and Cara Arsenault, Law’23.  

Other highlights Walters presented included developing the Strategic Framework; launching the online Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law program that has over 600 students registered this term, and the securing of articling and clerkship positions by almost 97 per cent of the JD graduating class; and the hiring of Stacia Loft, Law’20 (who spoke at the event) as the first Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Programs, and Miranda Pugh as the inaugural Executive Director of Development. 

Also featured at the Law event were presentations on Queen’s Legal Aid, three career development mentorship programs, and the undergraduate Certificate in Law program. 

Dean Walters expressed his plan to stay connected with alumni: “Over the coming year, we want to explore more ways to remain engaged and provide you with opportunities to connect with our school, whether it’s through our virtual guest lecture series, mentorship opportunities, councils and committees, and other forums.”

The Conflict Analytics Lab (CAL) was also on display at Homecoming. Following a video introduction by Professor Samuel Dahan, CAL Director, Queen’s Law students and alumni and Smith faculty presented updates on CAL’s latest innovations. Event host and Student Director Avinash Pillay, Law’21, spoke about CAL’s newest tool, Vaccine Mediator, as well as the consumer complaints project. Other presentations included the CAL/Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) LLP Intelligent Settlement System by BLG partner George Wray, Law’05, and Caroline Ross, Law’21; MyOpenCourt and employment law projects by Holly Grosdanis, Law’23; the harassment investigation tool by Solinne Jung, Law’22; and the trademarks project by Anna Xu, Law’21. 

Alumni are already making plans for their next get-togethers. Jeremy Fox says, “I’m looking forward to the next event, ideally: in person at our class’s favourite spot, the Grizzly Grill.”

Kathryn Manning echoes that sentiment, saying, “It was wonderful to ‘see’ people and catch up. We are all very much looking forward to the next reunion in person in lovely Kingston.”

Watch the Queen’s Law event and the Conflict Analytics Lab’s presentation.

Law'96 classmates toast their 25th-anniversary reunion at Homecoming 2021.