91ɬÂþ

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CBC Canada -Ìý

The Honourable Justice Sheilah Martin, BCL’81, LLB’81, announced she was retiring from the Supreme Court of Canada, effective May 30. Chief Justice Richard Wagner praised Martin for her "depth of her legal scholarship, her commitment to fairness, and her principled approach to justice."

"She has made remarkable contributions to Canadian jurisprudence and her commitment to education has carried over into her career on the bench," he wrote.Ìý

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CBC Canada -Ìý

In December, Canada’s longtime ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, BCL’93, LLB’93, announced she would be leaving her post in the new year. The first woman to be appointed to this prestigious posting, Hillman had been Canada’s official representative in Washington since 2020.

"As one of the longest-serving ambassadors to the United States in our history, her wide-ranging and constructive engagement with all branches of the U.S. government as well as with leaders across America and Canada have yielded crucial results for Canadians," Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement.Ìý

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91ɬÂþ Alumni Association

Four members of our community recognized through this year's 91ɬÂþ Alumni Association Honours and Awards:Ìý

Me Benoit Lacoste Bienvenue, BCL/LLB'00, received the E. P. Taylor Award. Named in memory of E.P. Taylor, BSc’22, who established the Alma Mater Fund Committee in 1948 to solicit contributions from alumni, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize their outstanding voluntary fundraising efforts in support of 91ɬÂþ.

Me Sylvie Richards, BCL'86, received the Robert Fung International Award of Distinction. Named in memory of Robert H.P. Fung, MDCM’60, the first President of the 91ɬÂþ Society of Hong Kong, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna living outside of North America who, through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service in his or her alumni community or country, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the 91ɬÂþ Alumni Association and 91ɬÂþ.

Faith Dehghan, BCL/JD candidate, received the Chancellor Gretta Chambers Student Leadership Award. Named in memory of Chancellor Emerita Gretta Chambers, BA’47, this award is presented to one or more students who have demonstrated leadership qualities while contributing in a volunteer capacity to the advancement of the 91ɬÂþ Alumni Association, 91ɬÂþ or the community.

Me Maria del Pilar V., LLM’11, received the Honora Shaughnessy 91ɬÂþ Ambassador Award. Named in honour of Honora Shaughnessy, MLS’73, long-serving Executive Director of the 91ɬÂþ Alumni Association, this award is presented to a friend of 91ɬÂþ who has made an exceptional contribution to the University as a role model in fostering friend-raising, loyalty, professionalism and team spirit.

They were presented with their awards at the 91ɬÂþ Alumni Association's prestigious Honours and Awards Ceremony, held on May 5.Ìý

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Me Hugo Cyr, Ad E, BCL’97, LLB’97, a été nommé à nouveau membre de l’assemblée des gouverneurs de l’Université du Québec. Admis au Barreau en 1999, Me Cyr est le président de la direction et directeur général de l’École nationale d'administration publique (ÉNAP).

Me Alexandre Paul-Hus, LLM’10, a été nommé membre de la Commission des services juridiques. Assermenté en 2007, Me Paul-Hus est avocat plaideur à la Ville de Montréal, où il est spécialisé en litige de droit public et administratif, litige civil, conseil et accompagnement juridique.

Me Frédéric Desmarais, BCL/LLB’08, s’est joint à Lavery à titre d’associé au sein du groupe droit du travail et de l’emploi.

Me Yara Stanom, BCL/JD’22, s’est jointe à Gowling WLG au sein du département de droit bancaire et financement.

Me Tara Shewchuk, JD'93 was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Privacy, Integrity & Compliance Officer for Medtronic, plc, a multinational medical technology company. After graduating from 91ɬÂþ, Mtre Shewchuk obtained an LLM in Health Law & Policy from Loyola University Chicago and completed a Fellowship in Clinical Medical Ethics from University of Chicago.

Me Caroline Champagne, BCL’95, LLB’95, a été nommée présidente-directrice-générale de l’Institut de planification financière.

Me Sarah Pineau, BCL/JD’21, s’est jointe à Fasken au sein du groupe droit des sociétés et droit commercial.

Me Justine Blanchette-Sirois, BCL/JD’24, s’est jointe au cabinet Shadley Knerr après y avoir réalisé son stage du Barreau.

Me Tricia Kuhl, BCL’98, LLB’98, s’est jointe à Norton Rose. Sa pratique est axée sur les fusions et les acquisitions ainsi que sur les opérations commerciales.

Me Anne Merminod, BCL/LLB’09, a partner at Torys LLP, was invited to join the International Association of Defense Counsel, a preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

Me Adriana Leigh (Greenblatt), BCL/LLB’06, has been writing a forthcoming book, Trauma Sensitivity at Work, to be published by Page Two Books in April 2026. The book examines burnout, workplace conflict, and leadership through a trauma-sensitive and systems-informed lens, drawing on research, field practice, lived experience, and her own background as a human rights lawyer following her time at 91ɬÂþ Law.

Me Clémentine Sallée, LLM’02, nouvellement Directrice principale, Projets majeurs, à CDPQ Infra, a fait l’objet d’un portrait Figure de Maître sur le site du Barreau de Montréal.

Matthew Squire, BCL/LLB'19, was promoted to partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He focuses his practice on cross-border restructuring and finance, advising clients in connection with in-court and out-of-court restructurings, liability management transactions, as well as distressed and new money financings.

MeÌýMichael Gaon, BCL'90, LLB'90, s'est joint à titre d'associé au cabinet KRB dans le groupe Droit bancaire et financement. Sa pratique est axée sur le financement garanti, les transactions corporatives et commerciales, l'acquisition d'entreprises et d'actifs, ainsi que le financement et le développement immobilier.Ìý

MeÌýDante Trunzo, BCL/JD'24, s'est joint au cabinet KRB dans le groupe Droit des affaires. Sa pratique se concentre sur les fusions et acquisitions, ainsi que le droit corporatif et commercial.Ìý

MeÌýPouyan Zabihian, BCL/JD'21, s'est joint au cabinet McCarthy Tétrault dans son groupe fiscal.ÌýÌý

MeÌýGabrielle Hélène Genest, BCL/JD'23, s'est jointe au cabinet Woods dans son équipe de litige.ÌýAncienne de l’Autorité des marchés financiers, sa pratique se concentre sur des dossiers civils, commerciaux et administratifs variés.

MeÌýLaura Cárdenas, BCL/LLB'18, s'est jointe au cabinet LCM.ÌýElle pratique le litige civil et commercial, ainsi que le droit constitutionnel et administratif.

The HonourableÌýAmiram Y. Kotler, BCL'96, LLB'96, was appointed as Judge of the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba in Winnipeg.ÌýJustice Amiram Y. Kotler graduated from 91ɬÂþ Law in 1996 with the Aimé Geoffrion gold medal in law. After clerking for Justice Frank Iacobucci at the Supreme Court of Canada, he worked for three years in New York City before returning to Winnipeg to take a job with Manitoba Justice. Justice Kotler worked as a Crown Attorney for over 20 years, serving in many capacities. In 2013, he was appointed General Counsel and assumed supervisory responsibility over all criminal appeals to the Manitoba Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Behzad Hassibi, BCL/LLB'16, has become an Equity Partner of Israel Foulon Wong LLP.

Lawrence David, BCL/LLB'14: After graduating from 91ɬÂþ, Lawrence articled with the Department of Justice Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. He then clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada in the Chambers of Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, before serving as Legal and Policy Advisor at the Privy Council Office. Lawrence then completed his Master of Laws degree at Harvard Law School, and authored Stare Decisis, The Charter and The Rule of Law in The Supreme Court of Canada (LexisNexis, 2020), based on his LLM thesis. After serving in legal positions at the Department of Justice and Senate of Canada, Lawrence entered private practice and also founded Public Interest Litigation Institute. He has appeared as counsel in ten appeals heard by the Supreme Court and, since 2018, teaches law at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law.

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In Memoriam

, LLM’ 65, passed away at his home on Bainbridge Island, Washington on May 26, 2025 at age 94. An early alum of our Institute of Air and Space Law, Paul Larsen started the Air & Space Law program at Southern Methodist University. Over his career, he authored more than 70 articles and textbooks on the peaceful uses of outer space.

C'est avec une profonde tristesse que nous avons appris le décès de , BCL'66, LLM'85.ÌýAvocat éminent et président de la DoggoneÌýFoundation, Me Marchand a profondément marqué la communauté montréalaise par son engagement philanthropique exceptionnel. Il a soutenu de nombreuses causes, notamment dans les domaines de la médecine, des soins infirmiers, de l’éducation et de l’art autochtone.Ìý

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