Grads in the Stampede City got into the holiday spirit as they celebrated their alma mater on November 14. This fall’s reception was held in the boardroom of Dentons Canada LLP, next to the landmark Bankers Hall in downtown Calgary.
“Dentons believes strongly in the importance of fostering and supporting its relationship with Queen’s Law,” says event host Barbara Johnston, QC, Law’93, a partner with the sponsoring firm and Vice-Chair of the school’s Alberta Alumni Council. “A number of Queen’s Law graduates work at Dentons across the country. Under the leadership of Dean Flanagan, Queen’s Law is one of the strongest law schools in Canada. We are proud of our ongoing relationship with the school and its Alberta alumni.”
A good time was had by alumni of all ages who gathered to reminisce about their school days, catch up with old friends and connect with new ones. “The coming together of so many different generations of lawyers made the reception very special for me,” says Brianna Guenther, Law’12, former LSS President and now a lawyer at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP. “It's a neat environment to be in; one where I had the opportunity to chat with wise lawyers nearing retirement and with new articling students looking for advice.”
With an intrigued audience, Dean Bill Flanagan shared recent school developments – from renowned scholar Mohamed Khimji being appointed the inaugural David Allgood Professor in Business Law to the complete renovation of the Law Library’s lower floor into a Learning Commons for students.
Gary Clarke, Law’93, a partner with Stikeman Elliott LLP, was impressed. “The reception was a great opportunity to take a break from practising and get updated on all of the amazing initiatives and changes at the law school, including the move of Queen’s Legal Aid (QLA) to downtown in order to create a law firm environment closer to those being served.” QLA, where he was a student caseworker for two years, is now co-located with Queen’s prison law, business law, elder law and family law clinics. “I am looking forward to having a chance to check out the Queen’s Law Clinics in person.”
By Lisa Graham