Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law

TRU Faculty of Law officially opened to students on September 6, 2011 with a first year class of 75 students and 10 faculty members.[1] The ceremonial opening was attended by several dignitaries, including the Honourable Chief Justice Lance Finch, former BC Attorney General Wally Oppal, Q.C., and CBA BC Chapter President Sharon Matthews, among many others.[2]

The Faculty of Law is currently housed in the third and fourth floor of the Old Main building of Thompson Rivers University. The two floors opened its doors in time for the admitting class of 2014-2015.

In 2014, the Faculty of Law was moved to the expanded and remodeled Old Main building. Old Main's revitalization was inspired by the region’s most prominent landmarks (notably Mt. Peter and Paul). It added 40,000 square feet of learning, library and student spaces.[3]

TRU Law adopted University of Calgary's Faculty of Law curriculum on May 1, 2010 in advance of its opening in Fall 2011.[4] According to former U of C Faculty of Law Dean Alastair Lucas, the U of C's focus on natural resources, energy, and environmental law is "uniquely suited to academic priorities at TRU and we are excited to provide them together with a program that focuses on practical legal skills instruction."[5]

TRU Law offers a traditional JD program, approved by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. A mandatory first-year curriculum is followed by advanced legal study in upper years, which includes compulsory courses in Ethical Lawyering, Administrative Law, Civil Procedure and Business Associations. It also offers a broad array of electives including a number of very unique ones not offered elsewhere in Canada.[6]

The primary student organization is the TRU Society of Law Students. Established in October 2011, the Society has adopted a series of strategic priorities aimed at enriching and supporting the student experience.[7] A number of clubs have been established under the TRU SLS banner, 'TRU Oral Advocacy Club', 'TRU Lawcapellants', 'TRU South Asian Law Students Association, TRU Indigenous Law Students Association, "Asia Pacific Law Students Association" and Black Law Students' Association, Criminal Law Club, Hiking Club, Digital Media Entertainment, Business Law Society, Labour and Employment Law Club, Law Needs Feminism Because-TRU Chapter, Crib Club, Golf Club, Legal Innovation Association, OutLaws, Securities Law Club, Science and Law Club, Law Hockey club, Law Rugby, TRU Animal Law Advocacy and others.[8] There are also a number of law student-comprised sports teams that compete in the various TRU recreation leagues.

The Faculty of Law also participates in the CBA BC Branch's student mentorship program. This program is designed to match law students with lawyers willing to share their experience and insight into the practice of law.[9]

The Thompson Rivers University Community Legal Clinic is the first student-staffed free legal clinic in the BC Interior. Students work under the guidance of 3 supervising lawyers to provide legal assistance and advice in a range of areas to those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.[10]

In 2015, a team from the TRU Faculty of Law defeated teams from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria to win the Begbie Trophy at the BC Law Schools Competitive Moot.[11]

TRU Law offers a broad array of scholarships, bursaries and course prizes, including entrance scholarships funded by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, The Law Foundation of British Columbia, Fulton & Company LLP, and Gregory S. Pun Q.Q.[12]

• Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law