The Faculty of Law Collaborates for an Inspiring Q&A with Supreme Court Justice Jamal

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
Ceremonies and events
Students
Experiential learning
Event Leadership Team with Justice Jamal
Event Leadership Team with Justice Jamal
The following letter was co-written by the organizing committee of the ‘Tomorrow’s Job: Inclusive Leadership with the Honorable Justice Mahmud Jamal of the Supreme Court of Canada’ event as part of the series BEYOND THE CLASS. The series shares first-hand accounts of experiential learning opportunities and op-eds written by our students.

Dear law students, alumni, and friends of our Faculty, 

We were thrilled to host an afternoon Q&A session with the Honourable Mahmud Jamal of the Supreme Court of Canada on February 17, 2023. This unforgettable experience brought together our law school community and provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with one of the country's most esteemed jurists. 

Supreme Court Justice Mahmud Jamal
Justice Mahmud Jamal joined a sold-out event at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law

The collaboration between seven student associations at Ottawa Law made this event truly special. Our students were able to ask the Honourable Mahmud Jamal a wide range of questions, covering everything from his time on the bench to his thoughts on the future of the Canadian legal system. His wisdom, humor, and candour made for a truly captivating conversation.

Student leaders asking Justice Jamal questions
Dean of Law School and students speaking at the event
Discussion moderator and students enjoying the event

As we continue to return to in-person learning following the pandemic, fostering a sense of community and collaboration is more important than ever. The Q&A session was a testament to our commitment to supporting one another and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment at the University of Ottawa’s Common Law Program.

Students mingling at the event
Justice Jamal greeting an enthusiastic student
Arjun Gupta introducing Justice Jamal to students

We were honored to have Dean Kristen Boon (Common Law) and Dean Marie-Eve Sylvestre (Civil Law) attend the event, making the afternoon event even more special. As Dean Boon mentioned in her opening remarks, not only did the event theme fit perfectly with the values that are at the heart of our law program here at the University of Ottawa, but so is the career path of our guest of honour: “Justice Jamal’s commitment to the different legal traditions in Canada, to bilingualism, and to service has been so moving for people who perhaps haven’t previously seen themselves on the bench.” We are grateful for her help and support in the organizing process and look forward to many more opportunities to collaborate with her in the future.

Dean Boon speaking at the podium
Inclusive Leadership event

“Justice Jamal’s commitment to the different legal traditions in Canada, to bilingualism, and to public service has been so moving for people who haven’t previously seen themselves on the bench.”

Kristen Boon

— Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section

Dean Kristen Boon meeting Justice Jamal
Dean Kristen Boon meeting with Justice Jamal

One of the highlights of the Q&A session was the Honourable Mahmud Jamal’s advice for future lawyers. He emphasized the importance of staying curious, learning from those around you, and being open to new experiences. He also spoke about the need for lawyers to be empathetic and to understand the perspectives of their clients. His words will undoubtedly inspire many of our students as they embark on their careers in the legal profession.

Other highlights of his discussion were: 

  • Early Life Influences: We are all a product of our early life influences, and the people we surround ourselves with inculcate certain values in us. Growing up in East Africa, and being the first in his family to attend university, gave him a deep sense of personal responsibility to use his education to serve others.  

  • Legal Scholarship: Engaging in legal scholarship is a lifelong pursuit that begins in law school and carries on into one’s legal career. Reflecting on his own experience as a student editor of the McGill Law Journal, Justice Jamal appreciated the opportunity to gain concrete legal experience through reference-checking, drafting, and editing, while also cultivating meaningful relationships with like-minded colleagues.  

  • Reflecting on our Place in Society: Being a member of the legal profession comes with the responsibility of bridging the gap in access to justice and inclusion. Even as a law student, Justice Jamal knew that he was privileged to have a legal education and that he could use his voice to help others.

A packed auditorium at Fauteux Hall
The discussion was moderated by the President of the JD-MBA Students’ Association

As we reflect on the afternoon with Justice Jamal, we are proud of the progress we have made in fostering in-person ties and community-building at Ottawa Law. The Q&A session was a great example of the kind of events we hope to continue to host, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and guests to engage in meaningful and thought-provoking conversations.

This event was a reminder of the importance of collaboration. When student associations work together, they can achieve great things and create truly memorable experiences. We encourage all students to build relationships with each other, based on mutual understanding and respect. Afterall, collaboration is only possible when we have established a foundation of understanding with each other.

Students presenting a gift
The Co-Presidents of the South Asian Law Students’ Association gifted a map of south Asia.
Students presenting a gift
The President of the Common Law Student Society (AÉCLSS) gifted a commemorative book.
Students thanking Justice Jamal
A leadership member of the Indigenous Legal Student Government thanked Justice Jamal.

Many people were involved with making the event a success, and the organizing committee wants to give a special acknowledgement to a few students and staff at Ottawa Law who went above and beyond to make this event possible: Faculty of Law staff Dean Kristen Boon, Laurent Lavallée, Véronique Larose, and Chantal Sabourin, and law students Arjun Gupta, Raji Gandhi, Humna Shaikh, Matthew Tai, Michelle Liu, Bhargavi Patel, and Maneet Kahlon. Thank you for all your behind-the-scenes efforts leading up to the event and on event day itself.

Behind the scenes photos
Behind-the-scenes photos as student teams prepared for the big event.

The Q&A session with Justice Jamal was a truly memorable experience. We are grateful for the opportunity to host such a remarkable individual and for the collaboration between our student associations that made the event possible. We look forward to many more events like this in the future and to continuing to build a supportive and inclusive community at Ottawa Law.

Best wishes to all for the rest of Winter Semester!

The Organizing Committee 

Event Leadership Team
Event Leadership Team with Justice Jamal, Dean Boon (Common Law) & Dean Sylvestre (Civil Law)

Event Leadership Team 

Arjun Gupta, President, JD-MBA Students’ Association 

Raji Gandhi & Humna Shaikh, Co-Presidents, South Asian Law Students’ Association 

Matthew Tai, Editor-in-Chief, Administration, Ottawa Law Review 

Michelle Liu, President, Common Law Student Society (AÉCLSS) 

Mallory Gitzel, Coordinator, Pro Bono Students Canada, University of Ottawa Chapter 

Ziyad Zeidan, President, Tax Law Society 

Haneen Faisal, President, International Commercial Trade Law Students’ Association 

Event Volunteers 

Anvesh Jain, Artem Sushko, Bhargavi Patel, Birpal Benipal, Crystal Shum, Daphné Laflèche, Emily Naveenan, Juvraj Thind, Maneet Kahlon, Meena Shanmuganathan, Rija Chaudhary, Samuel LeBlanc, Spencer Hewson 

Student Club Members
JD-MBA Students’ Association with Justice Jamal
 Student Club Members
South Asian Law Students’ Association with Justice Jamal
Student Club Members
Ottawa Law Review team with Justice Jamal
Student Club Members
Common Law Student Society (AÉCLSS) with Justice Jamal
Student Club Members
Pro Bono Students Canada, University of Ottawa (Common Law) Chapter with Justice Jamal
Student Club Members
Tax Law Society with Justice Jamal
Student Club Members
International Commercial Trade Law Students’ Association with Justice Jamal