Word from the Dean

Kristen Boon

As we mark Black History Month (BHM) in February, we of course recognize and celebrate the leadership, commitment, and contributions of Black students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members who help shape our Faculty every day.  We also celebrate our community’s commitment to building a more inclusive legal profession in the near and far future.

I would like to draw particular attention to the resources and opportunities available to Black law students, as highlighted on our Black Applicants webpage. This page was created intentionally — to ensure that prospective Black students feel encouraged to apply and confident that they will be supported throughout their legal education. It reflects our commitment to a holistic admissions process, and to fostering an environment in which Black students can thrive academically, professionally, and personally. From curriculum offerings engaging racial justice and critical race theory, to dedicated wellness, mentorship, counselling, and financial supports, these initiatives are designed to support student success as our Faculty strives to advance equity.

A very warm thank you to Vice Dean Pacifique Manirakiza who has been deeply involved in initiatives involving balck students and faculty. A specialist in international criminal law, and a full professor at the Faculty, he has taken on a leadership role in the Programme de common law en français (PCLF) and has been a member of the steering committee for an action plan on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. He is also an active supporter of the Black Law Students’ Association, University of Ottawa Chapter (BLSA uOttawa). It is a pleasure to work with him as a member of the executive team, and he contributes an enormous amount to our community.

We are deeply grateful to Gladys Osien, LLB ’19, for her ongoing leadership as our Black Legal Mentor-in-Residence and Special Advisor to the Dean on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In her work with the BLSA uOttawa, Gladys has provided mentorship, guidance, and support to students, while also working with administrators to better understand the lived realities and experiences of Black students. She has been an integral part of a recent Faculty strategic planning process which includes objectives for equity, diversity, and inclusion.  

Gladys is an active and influential voice at our leadership table, and her contributions continue to strengthen our community.   She was a special guest at the BHM Speed Networking event on February 5, a unique opportunity for students to connect with Black professionals, hear their stories, and build relationships.

Advancing equity through innovation has been a central priority of my deanship. I am thrilled to recognize Garrick Apollon, LLB ‘03, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, whose entrepreneurship clinic is transforming how we train future lawyers to work with small businesses and local entrepreneurs. As the founding director of the Norton Rose Fulbright Entrepreneurship and Innovation Legal Clinic, Apollon leads an initiative that provides legal support to Indigenous, Black and social entrepreneurs across Canada. 

On February 24, Professor Apollon will be hosting a Black History Month CPD cinema event featuring Our Children, Our Future: The Legacy of Principal Thando Hyman. This original documentary by Professor Apollon chronicles the remarkable journey of Principal Thando Hyman, a prominent Black school principal in Toronto who dedicated her life to transforming the education system and confronting anti-Black racism. 

We also want to acknowledge the important work and leadership of BLSA uOttawa and particularly its Co-Presidents, Daniella Chukwu and Grace Tsegakele. The Ottawa chapter fosters community through social events, collaborations with other Black student groups, and initiatives that promote awareness and education about racism and discrimination within the legal system. Their work reminds us that future lawyers are also future leaders and agents of change. BLSA uOttawa is hosting two excellent events this month:

Upcoming Events

February 10, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Managing Stress and Anxiety While in Law School (3 week workshop)
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 230 | Bilingual Event | Register in The Source | Target : All

February 10, 2026 | Student book launch - Hide and Sikh: Letters from a Life in Brown Skin by Sunny Dhillon(3L) moderated by Professor Jamie Liew
7:00 p.m. | Perfect Books, 258A Elgin St. | Event in English | No registration required

February 11 & 12, 2026 | Sustainability and Indigenous Rights
9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. | FSS 4007 | Bilingual Event | Registration required | Student Rates

February 11, 2026 | Conway Professionalism Speaker Series - Treasurer's Talk
11:30 a.m. –  12:50 p.m. | FTX 302 | Event in English | Registration required 

February 11, 2026 | The Centre for Law, Technology and Society - Formaliser l’informel : Le Dictionnaire de la norme 
11:30 a.m. –  12:50 p.m. | Hybrid event | Event in French | Registration required 

February 11, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Preparing for Interviews in Ottawa
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 147 | Bilingual Event | Register in The Source | Target : 2L/ 3L of 4

February 11, 2026 | The 18th annual Thomas Feeney Memorial Lecture - The Paradox of Judicial Independence: A framework for exploring issues in judicial ethics, judicial freedom and judicial conduct
5:00 p.m. –  7:00 p.m. | FTX 147 | Bilingual Event | Registration required 

February 12, 2026  | Seasonal Community Gathering - Red Dress Pin Workshop
10:00 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 316 | Bilingual Event | Drop-in


11:00 a.m. –  12:30 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom) | Event in English | Registration required

February 12, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Summer Fellowship Information Session
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 351 | Bilingual Event | Register in The Source | Target : All

February 12, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Thrifting Thursdays
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | BRS 435 | Bilingual Event | Drop-In | Target : All

February 12, 2026 | MENALSA'S 1001 Nights Cultural Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm | FTX Atrium (3rd Floor) | Registration Required

February 13, 2026 | Career Development Centre -  3L Career Boost
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | FTX 230 | Bilingual Event | Drop-In | Target : 3L/4L

February 17 to 19, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Career Connections Registration Table
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 3rd floor lobby of Fauteux | Bilingual Event | Drop-In | Target : 1L

February 17, 2026 | Shirley E. Greenberg Chair for Women and the Legal Profession Speaker Series: Parallel Paths: A Justice Journey
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | FTX 302 | Event in English | Drop-in

Navigating violence in contested territories
12:00 p.m. –  1:00 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom) | Event in English | Registration required

February 18 & 19, 2026 | Human Rights Research and Education Centre - Youth Digital Rights Summit: From platform harm to policy power
All day | Day 1 at the Senate; Day 2 at uOttawa and online | Registration required

February 18, 2026 | RDC Community Reading Circle: When the Pine Needles Fall by Ellen Gabriel
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 416 | Bilingual Event | Drop-in

February 18, 2026 | Regroupement étudiant de common law en français et Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario - Un survol des développements récents en droit linguistiques 
11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. | FTX 133 | Event in French | Registration required

February 18, 2026 | Securities and Venture Capital Law Student Association: Shares and Flares Networking Event 
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | FTX Atrium 3rd Floor | Event in English | Registration required

February 19, 2026 | Career Development Centre - STEP Canada Next Generation Scholarship in Trusts & Estates
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 351 | Bilingual Event | Register in The Source | Target : All

February 19, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Summer Plans Drop-In (Fellowships, Student Proposed Internships, Job Search)
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 230 | Bilingual Event | Drop-In | Target : All

February 19, 2026 | Shirley E. Greenberg Chair for Women and the Legal Profession Speaker Series: Rights on Pause - Muslim Women and Law 21 at the Supreme Court of Canada
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 230 + Zoom | Event in English | Drop-in

February 19, 2026 | Career Development Centre - Thrifting Thursdays
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | BRS 435 | Bilingual Event | Drop-In | Target : All

Please visit the webpage for more Upcoming Events.

Important dates and deadlines

  • Feb. 2 – Apr. 15, 2026 | Winter courses
  • Feb. 13, 2026 | Last day to submit a registration form for the Major Paper Requirement for a Winter term course 
  • Feb. 16, 2026 | Family Day 
  • Feb. 17, 2026 | Last day to 
    withdraw from a course or an activity and receive a financial credit
  • Mar. 2 – Mar. 6, 2026 | Reading Week

  • Mar. 11, 2026 | Career Connections

  • Mar. 20, 2026 | Last day to withdraw from a course or an activity (no financial credit)

  • Mar. 26, 2026 | Course Fair for English courses

  • Apr. 3 – Apr. 6, 2026 | Easter break

  • Apr. 3, 2026 | Good Friday, classes cancelled (statutory holiday)

  • Apr. 14, 2026 | Make-up classes for Friday, April 3 (Friday schedule applies, CLAW courses only)

  • Apr. 15, 2026 | Make-up classes for Monday, February 16 (Monday schedule applies, CLAW courses only)

  • Apr. 16, 2026 | CLAW Study Break

  • Apr. 7, 2026 | Last day to submit an option form (signed by the option coordinator) to the Student Centre

     Please visit the webpage for more Important dates and deadlines.

Opportunities

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