A foremost criminal litigator, a young appellate advocate, an access-to-justice and legal education champion, a financial sector CEO, and a trusted institutional leader with deep ties to Queen’s Law have one thing in common. They are all recipients of this year’s Queen’s Law alumni awards. 

The Dean’s Council awards committee selected the recipients of the school’s four annual alumni awards from a strong list of nominees put forward by their fellow grads.

Donald Bayne, Law’69, LLD’17 (Arts’66, EMBA’01)

H.R.S. Ryan Law Alumni Award of Distinction
(for overall distinction in the legal profession)

A founding partner of Bayne Sellar Ertel Carter in Ottawa, Donald Bayne is one of Canada’s most distinguished criminal defence lawyers, with more than five decades devoted exclusively to criminal litigation. A designated specialist, he has appeared at every level of court in Canada and served as counsel in major public inquiries, including Somalia, Maher Arar, and the Iacobucci Inquiry. His practice has encompassed the defence of murder, complex conspiracies, corporate prosecutions, and war crimes cases in Canada, the Soviet Union, and Ukraine. His honours include the G. Arthur Martin Medal (2006), recognizing significant contributions to criminal justice in Canada, and The Advocates’ Society’s Catzman Award for Professionalism and Civility (2016).

Brandon Chung, Law’17

Dan Soberman Outstanding Young Alumni Award
(for early-career success)

An associate at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, Brandon Chung practises criminal, constitutional and administrative law, focusing on appellate advocacy. In just eight years, he has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Ontario Court of Appeal (ONCA) in cases shaping criminal and public law. Committed to access to justice, he acts as duty counsel with the Pro Bono Inmate Assistance Program at the ONCA and volunteers with Pro Bono Ontario’s SCC Leave to Appeal Assistance Project. He also coaches Queen’s Law’s Laskin Moot team and contributes to CanLII’s Criminal Law E‑Book.

Justice Lucille Shaw, Law’89 (Com’86)

Justice Thomas Cromwell Distinguished Public Service Award
(for sustained and outstanding public service)

Appointed to the Superior Court of Justice (Brampton) in 2017 following 26 years as a civil litigator in Sudbury, Justice Lucille Shaw has demonstrated leadership on and beyond the bench. She co‑founded Colloquium, now one of Ontario’s largest multi‑day continuing legal education conferences, expanding access to high‑quality training for northern lawyers. As Administrative Judge for the Central West Small Claims Court, she led its transition through the COVID‑19 pandemic. She has also co‑organized annual conferences to educate Ontario’s deputy judges, frequently speaks at legal education programs, and volunteers her time judging a Queen’s Law advocacy course and two competitive moots.

Judy Goldring, Law’91

J.A. (Alec) Corry Distinguished Alumni Award
(for excelling in a career outside the traditional practice of law)

Appointed Chief Executive Officer of AGF Management Limited in July 2025, Judy Goldring oversees the firm’s strategy, vision, and overall performance. She leads the executive team and works closely with the Board to support long‑term growth and stakeholder relationships. Since joining AGF in 1998, she has held senior leadership roles, including President, Head of Global Distribution, and Chief Operating Officer, following an early career in regulatory and administrative law. An experienced board leader with strong community and governance involvement, she is past chair of the Securities and Investment Management Association, the leading voice for the industry in Canada.

New this year is an award offered at the Dean’s discretion to recognize a graduate whose exceptional leadership, dedication, and service have made a lasting and meaningful contribution to Queen’s Law.

Kelley McKinnon, Law’88 (Artsci’85)

Dean’s Award for Distinguished Leadership
(for lasting and meaningful contributions to Queen’s Law)

A senior litigator and strategic adviser across the public and private sectors, Kelley McKinnon has devoted decades of service to Queen’s University and Queen’s Law. Elected the first woman Rector while a student, she later taught advocacy and corporate governance courses at Queen’s Law. Her career includes serving as a partner and vice‑chair of litigation at Fasken, senior leadership roles at the Ontario Securities Commission and the Competition Bureau, and executive roles at BMO Capital Markets and BMO Financial Group. She has served on Queen’s University Council and the Board of Trustees, including as vice‑chair, and was appointed Trustee Emerita in recognition of exemplary service. A member of the Queen’s Law Dean’s Council since 2009 and its chair since 2022, she has provided sustained strategic counsel to three deans.

These five awards will be presented at the Celebrate Queen’s Law alumni reception on May 27, 5–7 pm, at The National Club in Toronto. Alumni wishing to attend should register in advance to reserve a spot.