Fifty years ago, UNB law established a tradition of legal excellence with the first lecture in the Viscount Bennett Memorial Lecture Series.
Born at Hopewell Cape, Richard Bedford Bennett later First Viscount Bennett of Mockleham, Calgary and Hopewell was a lawyer, politician and statesman who served as Canada's 11th prime minister.
Created under the terms of his will, the lecture series serves to generate a greater appreciation of the role of law in contemporary society.
Dr. Maria Panezi, an associate professor at UNB law, said this year's lecturer is a good choice to mark the occasion.
"Valerie Hughes is a world-leading expert in international trade law and has been involved in international trade governance as a director of both the legal affairs division and the appellate body division at the World Trade Organization (WTO). As the WTO is going through a crisis, she is uniquely positioned to discuss the future of multilateralism," Panezi said.
"Her remarks will not only be relevant to international trade governance but global governance altogether. The topic complements perfectly previous years' topics, addressing cutting-edge legal problems that affect the world, Canada, and New Brunswick."
As some years have seen no lecture, while others have seen two, Hughes is the 46th speaker. Justice William F. Ryan of the Federal Court of Appeal and former dean of UNB law, gave the first lecture in 1975, reflecting on the three years he had spent on the Law Reform Commission of Canada.
"It is hoped that lectures will be delivered that will contribute to our understanding of law and of its role in modern society," said Ryan, praising Bennett's generosity.
"His continuing attachment to the province is signified in his title, Viscount Bennett of Calgary and Hopewell. It is appropriate that this series of lectures, which will be an annual feature in the life of the faculty of law of the University of New Brunswick, should bear his name."
Jane Thomson, an associate professor at UNB law and one of the event's organizers, said that the series is vital to UNB law and the broader community.
"The list of persons invited to deliver the Viscount Bennett really speaks for itself. It contains several chief and puisne judges of Canada's Supreme Court as well as noted legal scholars and prominent members of Canada's legal community."
Thomson said a question-and-answer period follows every lecture.
"I have observed that these portions of the Viscount Bennett are particularly meaningful both to the students and to the presenters. I cannot tell you the number of times our speakers have truly connected with students and faculty."
A lecture given in 2017 by Omar Khadr's lawyer, Dennis Edney, particularly stands out for Thomson. Two overflow rooms were needed.
"Everyone in attendance was rapt with attention. My students were stunned to learn that Dennis hadn't even attended law school until he was in his forties. His words that day reached all of us with a simple message: If you care enough about something, then do it and make sure you finish the job."
The UNB Law Journal publishes the lectures. Copies are sent to law libraries and universities across the U.S., Canada and Europe, and published in online legal databases.
"The Viscount Bennett Memorial Lecture Series provides many individuals with the opportunity to hear an expert's opinion on a given development or issue in the legal sector. Without publication, however, the number of people with access to this would be greatly limited," said Morgan Sims and Zachary Poole, co-editors-in-chief of the journal.
"The lectures provide us with opportunities to meet and learn from experts. The series provides students with the opportunity to hear about and connect with practice areas they may not have previously contemplated."
Thomson said the series brings "inspiring and important legal faces" to UNB and shows them what UNB law can contribute to these critical conversations.
"By seeing these speakers up close, engaging with them and hearing what they have to say, our students realize that they too can make the same impact in their chosen legal fields," she said.
"I have no doubt that over the next 50 years, some of the students sitting in that audience all around me will return to us to deliver the Viscount Bennett."
