Welcoming the Future of Law: Orientation 2024-2025 at the Common Law Section

By Common Law

Communication, Faculty of Law

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
Student experience
Orientation
Bilingualism
The entire cohort of new law students (2024) gathered in front of the Supreme Court of Canada
The Faculty of Law recently welcomed its new cohort of students for the 2024-2025 academic year with a two-week orientation program.

Designed to connect, inspire and equip new students with the tools they need for success, the event featured a wide range of activities, speakers and sessions.

Day 1: Welcome to Your Legal Career

Orientation kicked off with welcoming mornings for both the English Common Law Program and the French Common Law Program (PCLF), hosted by Kristen Boon, the Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean. Addressing the incoming students, Dean Boon offered encouraging words, acknowledging the weight of the moment but also emphasizing the importance of community.

"Today is the first day of your legal career. It is normal to feel a bit overwhelmed, but… you've worked hard to get here. You've proven yourselves. It helps to connect person by person. You are in it together for the next 3 years. The goal for orientation is connections." she said.

Dean Boon was joined by Gilbert Whiteduck, Algonquin Anishinabe Knowledge Holder, from the Kitigan Zibi area. Mr. Whiteduck performed a sage smudging ceremony and introduced braided sweetgrass to the students. The sweetgrass symbolizes unity and the importance of connecting communities, reminding students of the strength in diversity and togetherness.

Orientation English Common Law Program. Students sit in large lecture hall. Dean is at podium.
(Left:) New students are welcomed to the English Common Law Program by (right top:) Dean Kristen Boon and (right bottom:) Gilbert Whiteduck, Algonquin Anishinabe Knowledge Holder.

Dean Boon also reminded students of the significant accomplishment of being accepted into the Faculty of Law. With over 2800 applicants for the 288 spots in the English Common Law Program and 99 spots in the PCLF, the new students represent the best of the best.

Later that day, students in the PCLF were addressed by Vice-Dean of the PCLF, Yan Campagnolo, whose speech titled Success in Law: An Affair of the Heart resonated deeply with the audience. Professor Campagnolo introduced the acronym “C.O.E.U.R.” (the French word for “heart”), representing the essential qualities for success: Consistency, Organization, Efficiency, Ultra-hard work, and Rigour. He emphasized that success in law school is truly an affaire de cœur—a matter of heart.

Orientation French Common Law Program. Students sit in large classroom. Professor Alain Roussy stands at the front of the class..
(Left:) New students of the French Common Law Program are welcomed by (right : ) Professor Alain Roussy, Director of the First Year French Common Law Program.

At the same time, Professor Amy Salyzyn, Director of the First Year English Common Law Program, provided practical advice to new students about legal competencies and what they will learn in law school. Professor Salyzyn is an expert in the use of technology in delivering legal services, as well as legal ethics, lawyer regulation and access to justice. In her session ‘Starting Your Law School Journey’, she highlighted that lawyers have an ethical obligation to be technologically competent. 

“The good news here is that you are really at a world class law faculty when it comes to AI and technology. We have a deep bench of professors who research and teach in the area of technology. There are lots of opportunities for students,” she said. 

Building Connections: The Dean’s Lunch and Mooting Demonstration

Following the morning sessions, students were invited to the Dean’s Lunch, which brought together faculty members, students and staff and served as a delightful opportunity for students to connect with their professors and administrators in a relaxed atmosphere. Some students picnicked on the grass in front of Fauteux, while others enjoyed their meal in the newly renovated Tsampalieros Atrium.Treats from local ice cream maven, Merry Dairy, added a sweet touch to the gathering, further enhancing the sense of community. 

Several photos of smiling students gathered in small groups. Some are sitting on the grass. Some have arms around each other.
The Dean’s Lunch is a delightful opportunity for students to connect with their professors and administrators in a relaxed atmosphere.

Over the first two weeks, new students were also introduced to the resources and support systems available to them, as well as opportunities for engagement. One such event, the Mooting Demonstration led by Professor Anthony Daimsis, showcased the exhilarating world of moot courts and highlighted the many benefits of hands-on learning through activities such as moot competitions.  The Faculty’s mooting program is a world leader.

Values, Wellness, and a Framework for Success

Several sessions emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between academic rigor and personal wellness. Sessions such as “The Seven-Pointed Star: A Framework for Learning Law through the Seven Sacred Teachings” and “Happiness, Wellness & Mental Health” reinforced the Faculty’s dedication to fostering a supportive and equitable learning environment. These sessions provided valuable insights into how students can approach their studies holistically while honoring their mental and emotional well-being.

The Supreme Welcome

The highlight of the orientation was undoubtedly the Supreme Welcome, a grand reception held under a tent on the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada on September 12. This long-standing tradition offers new students a chance to reflect on the close ties between the University of Ottawa and Canada’s highest court.

One of the reasons students come to uOttawa is to be in our nation’s capital, and to be close – literally and figuratively - to our most important national institutions – Parliament, government departments, agencies and tribunals.  Here we are – on the front lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada,”” Dean Boon told the students.

The Supreme Court of Canda sign, on a vast lawn. In the background a large white event tent and beyond that is the Supreme Court of Canada building.
All new students are invited to the Supreme Welcome, a grand reception held under a tent on the lawn of the Supreme Court of Canada.

"The University of Ottawa and the Supreme Court enjoy an excellent relationship, and their past is steeped in history. It's no coincidence that the ties between the Faculty and the country's highest court run so deep. Over 100 of our alumni and professors have clerked at the Supreme Court," she said .

This year’s keynote speaker, the Honourable Justice Mahmud Jamal of the Supreme Court, shared his journey and the values that have guided him throughout his legal career. He emphasized the importance of dedication and perseverance: "In my experience, anyone who wants to succeed in the law, has to work hard because there are no child prodigies in this field. But if you do work hard, any area of the law will reveal its mysteries to you. There will be nothing beyond your grasp."

Three separate photographs taken of speakers at a podium.
Dean Boon, the Honourable Justice Mahmud Jamal and Katy Commisso, 1st Vice-President of the Ontario Bar Association.

Katy Commisso, 1st Vice-President of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), also addressed the gathering. The OBA represents close to 17,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers and law students from across the province. They have been a generous co-sponsor of this event since its inception. 

Looking Ahead

The orientation activities, with their blend of tradition, innovation, and inclusivity, have set the stage for a year of intellectual growth, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to justice. For the law students, professors, and alumni, this academic journey promises to be a remarkable chapter in their legal career.