Photo by Bernard Clark. Greg Richards, Law’79 (right), accepts the H.R.S. Ryan Alumni Award from Dean Bill Flanagan at the Homecoming reception on October 18 at the University Club.
Photo by Bernard Clark. Greg Richards, Law’79 (right), accepts the H.R.S. Ryan Alumni Award from Dean Bill Flanagan at the Homecoming reception on October 18 at the University Club.
Photo by Viki Andrevska. Queen’s Law students celebrate Greg Richards as this year’s Ryan Award recipient at the Homecoming breakfast reception.
Photo by Viki Andrevska. Queen’s Law students celebrate Greg Richards as this year’s Ryan Award recipient at the Homecoming breakfast reception.

Greg Richards, Law’79, was the toast of the Dean’s Homecoming reception at the University Club as the 2014 winner of the H.R.S. Ryan Alumni Award for significant contributions to his alma mater and his profession.

As Dean Bill Flanagan told the capacity crowd, “Greg Richards has been a great friend to the school over the years, clearly devoted to Queen’s Law and ongoing in his commitment and support.”

Richards’ decade-long service on the Dean’s Council culminated in a term as Chair 2012-2013. The Council, composed of alumni who are leaders in the legal profession, plays both advisory and fundraising roles. He has also been a popular sessional instructor of Trial Advocacy at Queen’s, winning a Law Students’ Society Teaching Award.

“As you all know,” the Dean continued, “Greg is a very distinguished lawyer and partner in his firm.” A litigation partner at WeirFoulds LLP (Toronto), he is recognized as a leading corporate and commercial litigator (Best Lawyers in Canada) and a leading practitioner in public law litigation (Lexpert). Richards was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2008. He is a past director of The Advocates’ Society, winner of its Pro Bono Volunteer Award in 2011, and remains involved in pro bono projects.

“What an honour it is for me to receive the Stuart Ryan Award!” replied Richards, pointing out that the portrait of his former professor that hangs in the Law Library was a gift from his Class of 1979. “I cherish this award so much because Stuart Ryan is a hero of mine. He was a legend, a renaissance man, a gentleman and a scholar, but most of all he was a teacher who, in reality, taught wisdom.”

Starting in 2015, in addition to the Ryan Alumni Award, Queen’s Law community members can nominate graduates for two new awards: the Dan Soberman Outstanding Young Alumni Award, and the Justice Thomas Cromwell Distinguished Public Service Award. For more information, see the Honouring Our Grads web page.