Media advisory/photo opportunity - Law Society to present honorary doctorates at Toronto call to bar ceremonies

20 July 2006

The Law Society of Upper Canada will be awarding honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws (LLD) to three distinguished members of the profession: the civil and human rights lawyer Clayton C. Ruby, CM; Diana Margaret Majury, an associate professor at Carleton University, Department of Law; and The Hon. Patrick J. LeSage, Q.C., former Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice.

This year, 833 new lawyers will be called to the Ontario Bar at three separate ceremonies. At each one, Law Society Treasurer Gavin MacKenzie will present an honorary degree; the recipient will then serve as the inspirational keynote speaker for that graduating class.

Clayton C. Ruby, CM, is one of Canada's leading defence lawyers, an outspoken proponent of freedom of the press, and a prominent member of the environmental community. Mr. Ruby has dedicated his professional career to ensuring that those who are underprivileged and those who face discrimination are given equal access to the legal system of this country. In 2006, Mr. Ruby was made a Member of the Order of Canada.

Diana Margaret Majury is an associate professor at Carleton University, Department of Law. She is an outspoken advocate for her vision of women's rights, equity and health issues, and writes extensively on such controversial subjects as abortion, rape-shield laws and reproductive technologies. Recently, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care appointed her to lead the research and recommendations for the Women's Health Institute slated to be in place in 2007.

The Hon. Patrick J. LeSage, Q.C., is a former Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario who recently joined Gowling Lafleur Henderson as counsel in their Toronto advocacy department. During his more than 28 years on the Bench, Mr. LeSage presided over many high-profile cases, including Regina v. Paul Bernardo and Conrad Black v. Prime Minister Chrétien et al.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

Ceremony No.1: July 20/06 at 9:00 a.m. Clayton C. Ruby, CM

Ceremony No.2: July 20/06 at 2:30 p.m. Diana Margaret Majury

Ceremony No.3: July 21/06 at 9:00 a.m. The Hon. Patrick J. LeSage,

Q.C.

As part of the Law Society's mandate to govern the legal profession in the public interest, the Law Society is responsible for the licensing, admission and regulation of the almost 37,000 lawyers in Ontario.

Please note: Upon arrival, please check-in at the media desk. On-site interviews and photos may be arranged in advance. Please confirm your attendance in advance, if possible.

For further information: visit us online at www.lsuc.on.ca; or contact Lisa Hall, (416) 947-7625, lhall@lsuc.on.ca

Source: newswire

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