Dr. Inbar Peled ’24 (PhD) has been awarded the prestigious York University Dissertation Prize, recognizing her exemplary research. Her thesis, entitled Professionalizing Discrimination has been lauded by the Faculty of Graduate Studies for making a “major contribution” to addressing systemic issues in criminal justice. Each year, the university honours up to three exceptional dissertations defended within that period.

Peled’s dissertation examines why multicultural societies have struggled to prevent discriminatory policing practices, despite the widespread impact of social movements such as the Black Lives Matter. By investigating patterns of racialized policing and the shortcomings in legal responses, Peled’s work provides new insights into entrenched systemic problems. Her research includes in-depth interviews, observations in courtrooms, and doctrinal analysis.

“My research begins with a fundamental question: Why do diverse criminal justice systems consistently fail to address racialized policing?” said Peled. She aims to redefine understanding of the role of criminal justice systems in perpetuating racial bias and envisions new strategies for transformative change.

Peled expressed deep appreciation for her mentors and the examination committee at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Janet (Jay Jay) Johnson, a proactive and inspiring second-year student at Osgoode Hall Law School, has recently been elected as the national president of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada (BLSA Canada) for the 2024-2025 term.

BLSA Canada, which was established in 1991, plays a crucial role in supporting and advocating for Black law students across the country. Johnson, who previously served as the National Director of Professional Development at BLSA, has been instrumental in orchestrating key initiatives, including a national firm hop and a bilingual clerkship open house, which significantly boosted engagement and support for Black law students nationwide.

Prior to her law studies, Johnson earned a Bachelor of Human Justice from the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. Her commitment to community building was evident even then, as she took on various leadership roles such as student ambassador, teaching assistant, and residence assistant. Her initiatives often focused on creating culturally relevant events aimed at empowering her peers.

At Osgoode Hall Law School, Johnson has continued her commendable efforts in community engagement. She has served as the Mentorship Coordinator for BLSA Osgoode and the Residence Fellow, among other roles. Johnson has played a critical role in integrating first-year students into the academic community as a Dean’s Fellow.

Johnson has completed an internship at Blakes LLP and is set to join Torys LLP as a summer student, further advancing her promising career in law.

Dean Trevor Farrow expressed his admiration and support for Johnson’s new role, stating, “Jay Jay Johnson exemplifies the spirit and dedication we strive to cultivate here at Osgoode. Her election as the president of BLSA Canada not only reflects her exceptional leadership and commitment to service but also underscores the impact our students can have on the broader legal community. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and confident that she will continue to excel in this prestigious position.”

PhD candidate Olaoluwa Oni was selected to attend this year’s Global Scholars Academy in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The Global Scholars Academy, convened by Harvard Law School and partners, is an intensive residential experience designed to enable junior scholars to engage in sustained, interdisciplinary, peer-to-peer collaboration under the close mentorship of research faculty drawn from the world’s top universities.

Building on the Institute For Global Law and Policy decade of successful workshops and Stellenbosch’s dedication to high-level interdisciplinary research, the Global Scholars Academy will engage a growing community of scholars developing new thinking about the world’s most pressing policy challenges. While in residence, participants will workshop their ongoing research, review current scholarship developments, reconsider canonical texts, and network with colleagues from across the world.

Learn more about the Global Scholars Academy.

In a remarkable tale of dedication and discipline, Sam Skinner has achieved what many might consider the pinnacle of dual careers in both law and sport. Beginning their journey into Muay Thai kickboxing in September 2016, the same month they embarked on JD program at Osgoode Hall Law School, they have now been invited to join Team Canada at the prestigious IFMA World Championship tournament in Greece, running from May 31 to June 10, 2024.

While navigating the rigorous demands of law school, Sam, alongside a group of fellow Section B students, practiced Muay Thai throughout their first term. Their passion for the sport led them to York Muay Thai where they continued to refine their skills. Upon graduating in 2019, Samantha moved downtown, simultaneously launching their legal career through articling and stepping into the ring for their first amateur fight before being called to the Bar of Ontario.

Since then, Sam has amassed an impressive record in amateur fighting, a testament to their dedication and skill. This hard-earned record and their unwavering commitment to the sport have now earned them a place on Team Canada, marking a significant milestone in their Muay Thai career.

“It’s an absolute dream and honour to be called to represent Team Canada,” said Sam.

Currently enrolled in a PhD program in law at Osgoode, they manage to maintain a rigorous training schedule alongside their academic responsibilities. This balance exemplifies an extraordinary level of discipline and time management, allowing them to pursue excellence in both the legal field and the competitive world of Muay Thai.

CLASP is celebrating their success in establishing a ground-breaking precedent in residential tenancies law which is featured in the 2024 edition of the Ontario Landlord & Tenant Law Practice textbook.

CLASP students worked with the administrative law division’s review counsel to bring an appeal of a Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) case to the Ontario Divisional Court. Beginning in the summer of 2022, students helped set the precedent that the LTB can reinstate a tenant to their unit after being unlawfully evicted.

This precedent pushes back against the harmful practice of landlords unlawfully evicting tenants and immediately re-renting the unit at a much higher rate. To see the entire decision, please see Schram v. Thompson, 2022 ONSC 6922.

Osgoode had the privilege of hosting two distinguished alumni from the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Chief Justice Michael Tulloch ‘89 and former dean Justice Lorne Sossin ’92 actively engaged with students at two separate events at the Law School.

Chief Justice Michael Tulloch addressed students on the complexities of court administration. His insightful remarks provided a unique perspective on the challenges and responsibilities that come with overseeing the judicial system. His wealth of experience and his commitment to justice were inspiring the next generation of legal minds.

Justice Sossin judged the final round of the 3rd annual Con Law Moot, which was hosted by Osgoode Constitutional Law Society and Henein Hutchinson Robitaille LLP. The moot helps students develop their advocacy skills while at the same time meet like-minded peers and legal professionals.

The opportunity to connect with such accomplished alumni is inspiring to students and gives them a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from leaders in the judiciary. It also reminds them that they are part of a larger Osgoode community that extends far beyond the classroom.

The 27th Annual Business & Law Conference kicked off with a warm welcome to attendees, as the JD/MBA Students’ Association from Osgoode Hall Law School and Schulich School of Business brought together a diverse audience of students, alumni, academics, and industry professionals. The conference serves as a platform for exploring pressing issues at the crossroads of law, business, and public policy.

This year’s theme, “Corporate Scandal: Crisis Intervention and Organizational Resilience,” delves into the aftermath of corporate scandals that have made global headlines in recent years. From unethical tax consulting in Australia to high-profile price-fixing battles in Canada, the conference aims to dissect the complexities surrounding these scandals and shed light on strategies for crisis intervention and organizational recovery.

The event focuses on key themes, including the creation and maintenance of crisis-resilient organizations, rebuilding post-scandal, and effective management and lawyering amid corporate crises. The expert panelists and Keynote Speaker, Lawrence Ritchie ’86, are expected to provide valuable insights into these critical areas.

Dean Trevor Farrow, addressing the attendees, expressed pride in the high-caliber students who make up York University’s premier JD/MBA program. Recognizing the unique position of these students with a dual education in law and business, Dean Farrow emphasized the importance of understanding the intricate challenges posed by corporate scandals. He highlighted the role of legal and business professionals in upholding justice, transparency, and accountability.

Encouraging active participation in discussions, Dean Farrow urged attendees to absorb the knowledge shared by distinguished speakers and collaborate with peers to deepen their understanding of corporate law and governance. He emphasized that the legal profession goes beyond interpreting statutes, calling on attendees to safeguard the principles that underpin society.

In closing, Dean Farrow expressed confidence that the conference would equip students with a heightened awareness of the challenges and complexities in the corporate and legal spheres. He encouraged them to seize the opportunity to expand their horizons, challenge their perspectives, and emerge as advocates for justice and ethical conduc

An Osgoode assistant professor has just been appointed to a working group that will be transforming civil justice in Ontario. Suzanne Chiodo is the only academic member of the Civil Rules Review Working Group, an initiative announced earlier this week by Attorney General Doug Downey and Chief Justice Morawetz of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

The Working Group will be reviewing the Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern civil non-family proceedings before the Ontario Superior Court. It will identify issues and develop proposals for reforming the Rules to make civil court processes more efficient, affordable, and accessible. Other members of the Working Group include judges and members of the private and public bar. The aim of the initiative is to increase access to justice; reduce cost, delay, and complexity; maximize the use of court resources; and leverage technical solutions.

“I am very proud to be the academic member of this committee”, said Professor Chiodo. “It’s exciting to be a part of improving access to civil justice in Ontario.”

The Working Group will begin consultations with civil justice system stakeholders in early 2024.

Please visit the conference webpage for a detailed program and registration.

It could be the biggest thing to hit the legal profession since the constitution.

Leading legal thinkers from Osgoode and beyond will gather to assess the seismic impact of artificial intelligence on the law during a special conference March 13 sponsored by the Osgoode-based Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security.

The event, titled Artificial Intelligence and the Law: New Challenges and Possibilities for Fundamental Human Rights and Security, will take place at the Helliwell Centre at Osgoode from noon until 6:15 p.m. on March 13. Stay tuned for details on registration and the full agenda.

“I am delighted that this incredibly important discussion is being hosted at Osgoode Hall Law School,” said Dean Trevor Farrow.

“Academics, lawyers, policymakers and the public are already heavily influenced by and reliant upon AI,” he added. “Osgoode very much sees itself at the centre of these discussions and innovations.”

By bringing together researchers with AI expertise across various fields of practice, conference speakers and attendees will also be able to engage with larger questions about law’s role in the regulation of emerging technologies, legal neutrality, ethics, and professional responsibility, said Associate Dean (Research and Institutional Relations) Carys Craig, who will speak on AI and copyright.

“I’m very excited about this conference,” she said. “Osgoode is known for its thought leadership and critical, interdisciplinary thinking, which is exactly what is needed as Canada grapples with the rapid acceleration of AI across almost every facet of society.”

The featured speakers will also include Professor Barnali Choudhury, director of the Nathanson Centre.

“Although AI offers numerous opportunities to society, it also poses risks, particularly in relation to human rights and security,” she noted. “Lawyers should be well versed in these risks to ensure that AI use aligns with legal standards.”

The conference’s comprehensive examination of artificial intelligence will include the growing use of generative AI, which powers tools like ChatGPT, said Professor Valerio De Stefano, a co-organizer of the event and a panellist who will address today’s challenging issues around artificial intelligence and work.

“The law will have to react to a lot of the challenges that arise from artificial intelligence in order for society to thrive on the opportunities that AI offers,” he noted.

De Stefano said that almost no area of the law will be left untouched, including criminal law, copyright law, labour law and tax law. Conference speakers will also dig into the implications of AI for legal ethics, legal practice and legal education.

“It’s extremely important that lawyers, both academics and practitioners, start discussing how to react to all these new things that are coming out of the AI landscape – and this is the opportunity to do that,” he added. “There’s a lot of people at Osgoode that do top-notch, groundbreaking research on law and technology.”

Other speakers will include Professor Jonathon Penney, who will examine whether AI safety standards are really safe, and Professor Allan Hutchinson, who will discuss “AI and law’s multiplicity.” Rounding out the list of Osgoode experts are Professor Sean Rehaag, PhD student Alexandra Scott and Osgoode PhD alumnus Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, now a law professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.

In the afternoon, De Stefano will chair a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence, due process and legal ethics. Panellists will include Osgoode Dean Farrow, Professor Patricia McMahon, Professor Richard Haigh, Glenn Stuart, the executive director of professional regulation for the Law Society of Ontario, and Professor Amy Salyzyn of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law.