Congratulations to University of Ottawa Common Law alumnus Thomas E. Ullyett, LLB ’85, who has received the 2021 Canadian Bar Association (CBA)’s Louis Saint-Laurent Award of Excellence! This is the CBA’s highest award, presented in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service and professional achievement for the benefit of the legal profession. This honour acknowledges the breadth and scope of Ulyett’s achievements and contributions.
Ullyett has spent over three decades in the Yukon government. He served as Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General from 2013-2016 and as the Public Service Commissioner from 2016-2019. He is currently Chair of the Employment Standards Board, a member of Yukon University’s Board of Governors and co-chair of the CBA Yukon Branch’s Public Sector Lawyers Section. He is recognized for being a community-builder who helped to support a generation of Yukon public sector lawyers.
On winning the award, Ullyett was shocked and humbled, but says it serves as a reminder to uOttawa Faculty of Law students and alumni that you can “do great things for your community and for the profession.”
He remembers his time at uOttawa fondly: “A lot of fun, a lot of great people, some very inspiring profs and a lot of learning.” He highlights the many opportunities he had as a student, not only academic and social, but also the wonderful opportunities to get involved in the legal community, as he did throughout his studies with the Student Legal Aid.
In fact, he urges everyone in the legal field to get involved in their community. “You know, lawyers have a lot to offer. Get involved beyond your practice. …. How ever you see YOUR community, get involved and share your knowledge, your ideas and your experience.”.
You can read more on this year’s award recipient, including a list of past recipients, in the March 2021 issue of CBA/ABC National Magazine.