THUNDER BAY – Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin School of Law has appointed Justice Patrick Smith as its interim dean.
Smith takes over from Angelique Eaglewoman, who last month resigned her position, citing systemic issues at the school, including racism.
In a release to university staff sent to local media on Friday morning, acting provost and vice-president academic David Barnett says Smith’s appointment will allows the school to move forward in a seamless manner.
"The success of our students is our priority," said Barnett.
"The appointment of Justice Patrick Smith, whose judicial career includes significant experience in civil and criminal jury trials, family matters and many cases involving First Nations, allows us to continue our university's commitment to the ongoing evolution and success of our faculty of law and its three core pillars."
Smith was called to the bar in 1976 and appointed to Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice in 2001 and says he’s ready to take on the challenge.
“I was very honoured to be invited to step into this role on an interim basis, whose focus will be to work with the faculty’s students, faculty and staff as we close the academic year and celebrate the graduates at our convocation ceremonies,” Smith said in the release.
The appointment was approved by Heather Forster Smith, the chief justice of the Superior Court of Justice.
Smith’s appointment is temporary, while the school searches for Eaglewoman’s permanent replacement.
Smith was instructor in family law in the political studies department at the university from 1986 to 1998. In 2009 he was appointed as a founding member of the Specific Claims Tribunal, set up to address longstanding Aboriginal specific claims. In 2012 he transferred to the Superior Court in Ottawa and returned to Ontario’s Northwest Region as a supernumerary judge in January 2017.
Smith officially takes over on June 1.
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