The Idea of a Legal Education vs. The Reality of Law School

Join Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) and Redeemer University on March 5, 7:30 p.m., for their third annual Public Law Lecture, The Idea of a Legal Education vs. The Reality of Law School.

In his foundational text, The Idea of a University, John Henry Newman contended that a university should teach “universal knowledge,” and that theology had a role to play in that undertaking. In this special lecture, Justice David Brown, formerly of the Ontario Court of Appeal, will draw inspiration from Newman to address a series of questions that Christian students interested in law might ask themselves, including how to address potential gaps in modern legal education, and how they can preserve and develop their faith in a secular environment.

Register for an engaging evening of learning, reflection and dialogue including a FREE public lecture and panel discussion with Christian leaders and legal professionals. Reception to follow.

The Public Law Lecture Series aims to educate the Christian community on legal issues from a distinctly Christian perspective and inspire Christians to pursue a career in law as a vocation or a ministry.

Guest Speaker: The Hon. Justice David Brown

Mr. Brown served as a judge on the Ontario courts for over 18 years (2006–2024): on the Court of Appeal for Ontario for a decade (2014–2024); previous to which he sat on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where he acted as lead judge on the Toronto Region Estates List for two years and sat for several years on the Toronto Region Commercial List. Mr. Brown served as President of the Ontario Superior Court Judges’ Association in 2014.

Prior to his appointment to the Bench, Mr. Brown was a partner in the Toronto Office of Stikeman Elliott LLP, practising in the firm’s Energy and Civil Litigation Groups. While in practice, he authored the text, Energy Regulation in Ontario.

Mr. Brown writes and speaks frequently on civil justice reform and the efficient management of litigious disputes. He has taught appellate and trial advocacy.

Mr. Brown obtained his J.D. from the University of Toronto Law School (1981) and LLM in Constitutional Law from Osgoode Hall Law School (2005). Prior to attending law school, Mr. Brown studied in the People’s Republic of China, earning certificates from the Beijing Languages Institute (1977) and Nanjing University (1978).

The Public Law Lecture Series is hosted by Christian Legal Fellowship in partnership with Redeemer University.