“In British Columbia, we have a great community of lawyers who are loyal graduates of Queen’s Law,” says Carman Overholt, QC, Law’84, founder of Overholt Law Barristers & Solicitors in Vancouver and a member of the new Queen’s Law Alumni B.C. Council. “The Council will allow us the opportunity to stay in contact with and maintain this important community and our relationship with Queen’s to whom we owe so much.”
Launched to enhance the school’s link with alumni and the larger community in the western province, the B.C. Council will build financial support for Queen’s Law, advocate on its behalf, and provide external perspectives and advice to the Dean.
“I am delighted that the tremendous support and enthusiasm shown by our alumni in British Columbia has paved the way for creating our second alumni council in Western Canada,” says Dean Bill Flanagan. “Like members of our Alberta Council, our new B.C. Council is composed of leaders in the legal profession and the community who bring a diversity of experience and knowledge to the mission and vision of Queen’s Law.”
Members of the B.C. Council include:
- Keith Spencer (Chair), Law’87, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP;
- Robert Anderson, Law’77, Partner, Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy LLP;
- Sheila Colman, Law’93, Vice-President, Legal and Corporate Secretary, Lundin Gold Inc.;
- Jim Kershaw, Law’89, Senior Vice-President and Pacific Region Head, TD Wealth, Toronto-Dominion Bank;
- Allan McGavin, Law’12, Associate, Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy LLP;
- Carman Overholt, QC, Law’84, Founder, Overholt Law Barristers & Solicitors;
- Tamsin Plaxton, Law’90, Co-President and Managing Director, Tamwood International College;
- Jeff Read, Law’85, Partner, Lawson Lundell LLP; and
- Justice James Sutherland, Law’89, Provincial Court of British Columbia.
At the first meeting, hosted by chair Keith Spencer at Fasken’s Vancouver office in late November, Dean Flanagan updated the members on the latest developments at their alma mater. These include a significant increase in the number of faculty members, the undergraduate Certificate in Law, the Graduate Diploma in Legal Services Management, and a student body that reflects the country’s diversity.
“The school has made remarkable progress and achieved great success that will continue to attract great students and support the needs of our community,” says Overholt. “The widespread support for Queen’s Law from graduates across Canada reflects the recognition of the unique nature of the school, the valuable educational opportunities and the leadership of the school in Canada.
“We cannot take for granted the greatness of Queen’s Faculty of Law or assume that the school will always flourish,” he continues. “As graduates, each of us has a meaningful role in maintaining the greatness of the school and ensuring that future students have the opportunities that allowed us to pursue our dreams.”
By Lisa Graham