Word from the Dean

In today’s evolving legal landscape, entrepreneurial skills are a core competency for successful legal practitioners. At the Faculty of Law, we recognize that legal expertise paired with an entrepreneurial mindset equips our students to excel in a dynamic profession.   Innovation, adaptability, and creative problem-solving are pillars of legal practice today.

The entrepreneurial lawyer is adept at navigating traditional legal challenges and is positioned to create and implement novel solutions. Our alum Harley Finkelstein, LLB '09, and founder of Shopify said in an interview with La Presse last week that “his law degree at uOttawa was the best investment he ever made.”

AI is shaping legal practice, and lawyers must cultivate skills that allow them to leverage technology and assess and manage risk. I encourage you to embrace this shift and take advantage of our programming in this area. 

Kristen Boon

Take a deeper dive:

  • The uOttawa Startup Law Clinic was recently opened, with the support of Professor Doug Sarro, to give law students practical insight into the legal challenges faced by startups and promote the development of the Ottawa startup community. The clinic is offering the following student-hosted public sessions, which are open to all students and researchers across campus: 

  • We have launched several new courses which aim to develop students’ entrepreneurial skill set, with more new courses coming next fall. See the Course Search Engine for more information or to register for any of the following:

    • CML2179FF. A2J Practicum: Start-Up Legal Clinic
    • CML4113G. The Business of Law
    • CML4107JA. Community Wealth Building Law
    • CML4107E. Becoming a Social Entrepreneur
    • CML4127JA. Studies in Business Law: Small and Solo Practice
  • The uOttawa e-Hub is celebrating Entrepreneurship Month, from November 1-30, with a series of engaging in-person programming, online content and exciting competitions. Visit the e-Hub website for more information and to register.

  • November 12. The Telfer School of Management is hosting the 2024 Desjardins Elevator Pitch Competition. The competition, which is open to all uOttawa students, provides participants with the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of judges for a chance to win prize money and business development services. The evening includes a networking portion as well as a fireside chat.

  • November 26, 11:30-12:50. Shaping the Future of Law: A panel discussion on social entrepreneurship, technology and law, with Professor Jennifer Bond.

  • December 5, 9:00-12:00. Legal Strategies for Entrepreneurs: Managing Legal Risks and Driving Business Growth(available in English). This half-day course offers an (in-depth?) exploration of key legal concepts that enhance lawyer-client relationships and streamline legal risk management for entrepreneurial ventures. Through case studies and practical examples, participants will learn to navigate legal challenges strategically, support sustainable business growth, and drive long-term success.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 11 | La réparation du préjudice écologique / L’abordage et la responsabilité en droit maritime | 10:00 – 11:20 a.m. | FTX 413 | Event in French | Registration required with [email protected]
Nov. 12 | Book Launch – Heenan Blaikie: The Making and Unmaking of a Great Canadian Law Firm| 11:20 a.m. - 1 p.m. | FTX 302
Nov. 13 | La décarbonation des navires comme trajectoire de l’Union européenne et de l’Organisation Maritime Internationale | 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 351 | Event in French | Registration required with [email protected]
Nov. 13 | Greenberg Speaker Series: Sex Work & Trafficking Harms | 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 147B | Event in English | Registration required
Nov. 13 | Intellectual Property and Tech Law for Startups – Legal Education Townhall | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | STM 122 | Registration required.
Nov. 13 | Le principe de responsabilité en matière d’exploitation des hauts fonds miniers/ L’abordage et la responsabilité en droit maritime | 2:30 – 3:50 p.m. | FTX 359 | Event in French | Registration required with [email protected]
Nov. 13 | Who Owns Outer Space?: International Law, Astrophysics, and the Sustainable Development of Space | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | FTX 147B | Event in English | Registration required
Nov. 14 | Déjeuner francophone (event hosted in French) | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | FSS 4007 | Target : 2L Participating in Ottawa 2025 Summer Recruitment – Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre (Registration extended to end of day on November 11)
Nov. 14 | Debwewin Summer Law Program Information Session | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Virtual | – Presented by the Indigenous Justice Division, Ministry of Attorney General in collaboration with Career and Professional Development Centre
Nov. 14 | RDC speaker series : Economic Reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples with Karen Restoule | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 302 
Nov. 14 | Drop-in Community Beading Circle | 1:00 – 3:50 p.m. | FTX 413 | Drop-in
Nov. 15 | Corporate and Capital Raising Law for Startups – Legal Education Townhall | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | STM 122 | Registration required.
Nov 17 | Closure of the Fauteux Hall | 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Nov. 19 | J.D. Concentration in Health Law Info Lunch | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | FTX 315
Nov. 19 | Employer Showcase : Norton Rose Fulbright (Ottawa) | FTX 3rd floor lobby| Target: 2L
Nov. 20 | Law Practice Program, pathway to the Lawyer Licensing process in Ontario| 12 - 1 p.m. | Online  
Nov. 20 | Greenberg Speaker Series: Code Noir: Slavery & the Law | 12:30 – 13:45 p.m. | Online | Event in English | Registration required
Nov. 20 | Ottawa Recruitment: The Employer Perspective | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 147 | Target : 2L Participating in Ottawa Recruitment – Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre
Nov. 21 | Planning Your Law School Summers: Paths and Possibilities | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 351 | Target : 1L/2L – Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre
Nov. 21 – 22 | Health Law Conference: Governing Reproduction: Exploring Law and Politics | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | FSS 4007 | Event is Bilingual | Registration required
Nov. 21 | Drop-in Community Beading Circle | 11:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. | FTX 413 | Drop-in
Nov. 22 Knafeh Night | 7 -10 p.m. | FTX Atrium | Registration required

Please visit the webpage for more Upcoming Events.

Important dates and deadlines

Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 | Term Dates
Nov. 11 | Deadline to submit your internship application for the January term 2025 (SPI included)
Nov. 18-29 | Teaching and course evaluations
Nov. 25: Deadline to submit your internship application for the Winter term 2025 
Dec. 4 | Courses end
Dec. 5 | Study break
Dec. 6-18 | Exam period
Jan. 9: Deadline to submit your SPI internship application for the Winter term 2025 

Please visit the webpage for more Important dates and deadlines.

Opportunities

Academic

News

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Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Fauteux Hall
57 Louis Pasteur St
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 6N5

Fax: 613-562-5124