Leading law firms invest in a different kind of legal education

Ryerson University announced recently that Torys LLP, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP and Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP have made generous gifts in support of student scholarships in Ryerson’s Faculty of Law. These inaugural scholarships represent an important step toward the opening of the law school in the fall of 2020, and in realizing the university’s vision as an institution dedicated to increasing access to justice.

To strengthen access and broaden diversity in the student population, the university is building a robust scholarship and bursary program for the new faculty. With these gifts, substantial awards are now in place for students with financial need from historically underrepresented groups, and students demonstrating an aptitude for business and entrepreneurship.

“When Ryerson Law opens its doors in September of 2020, these prominent Toronto law firms will be there with us to welcome new students,” says Mohamed Lachemi, Ryerson University president and vice-chancellor. “Their support encourages strengthened diversity and inclusion in the practice of law, and we are very grateful for their partnership.”

These scholarships will remove barriers for students who demonstrate financial need and high academic standing:

• Torys LLP Scholarships for Indigenous Law Students will provide renewable awards for Indigenous students.
• McCarthy Tétrault LLP Law School Scholarships for First Generation Students will offer renewable awards for students who are the first generation in their families to attend post-secondary education, with priority given to newcomers to Canada.
• The Blakes Scholar scholarships will be awarded to students entering first year who demonstrate an aptitude for business or entrepreneurship who may also identify as a member of an equity-seeking group.
• Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP Law School Scholarships will be awarded to students from historically underrepresented communities.

Ryerson is leveraging the firms’ support to create nearly $750,000 (to date) worth of student financial support. A key match came through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards program (external link) , which will provide entrance and follow-on awards of $20,000 annually for several Indigenous students at the law school. Some of the support also triggered matching through Ryerson’s own President’s Awards to Champion Excellence (PACE), which helps make post-secondary education accessible for students from a variety of underrepresented groups.

Ryerson’s goal is to be able to provide scholarship support for at least half of the 150 students entering its law school annually, delivering on its vision to drive social change and economic strength by improving access to post-secondary education. Individuals and institutions interested in supporting Ryerson’s mission to provide a different kind of legal education can donate at the Faculty of Law website.