How does Robson Hall prepare students to advise business clients?

Private business largely drives the Prairie economy and the country's economy.  Robson Hall focuses its course offerings squarely on the issues and needs faced by such business organizations.  Anchored by the Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law, the Asper Chair in International Business and Trade Law and the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic, Robson Hall offers interested students the opportunity to develop expertise that will prepare them to advise clients on the various needs of business enterprises, and to work with not-for-profit organizations.  The focus on skills development nutures a strong sense of corporate citizenship and gives students business savvy that translates well into private practice. 

Did you know Robson Hall is a leader in Human Rights legal education?

Many faculty members at Robson Hall have built significant reputations for their research, training, and advocacy in human rights, including addressing discrimination based on gender, disability, age, Aboriginal status, race, economic condition, sexual orientation, and status as an immigrant, refugee or prisoner.  The University of Manitoba’s strategic plan recognizes human rights as a priority area of focus. With leadership from the Faculty of Law, the University has created a Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) to enhance research abilities, create richer training opportunities for students, and facilitate public debate.   A new academic journal, The Canadian Journal of Human Rights, has been launched and the Faculty offers interested students the opportunity to obtain a Human Rights concentration which will be noted on LL.B. transcripts as of Spring 2012.  Students can also gain practical experience serving clients in Legal Clinics. 

How does Robson Hall prepare its students to be lawyers for the twenty-first century?

Robson Hall has a long established and outstanding reputation for producing excellent lawyers.  Graduates of Robson Hall have gone on to enjoy distinguished careers in practice, on the bench, in business, in policy work, in academia, and in a vast range of other careers where their rigorous education has enhanced their ability to perform at the highest levels.  Building on the successes of the past, Robson Hall has expanded its vision to permit students to enhance their studies in three areas of concentration:  Business Law, Human Rights, and Aboriginal Legal Issues. These three areas of teaching and research are particularly germane to the legal issues facing Manitoba, Canada, and the international community.

How does Robson Hall integrate Aboriginal perspectives into legal education? 

Manitoba, along with Saskatchewan, has the highest proportion of Aboriginal peoples among its population. In 2001, roughly 14% of the population of Manitoba was of Aboriginal descent and Statistics Canada projections suggest that by 2017 nearly 20% of the population will identify as Aboriginal.  The needs of these communities within urban centres and on reserves, as well as their considerable interactions with non-Aboriginal communities, suggest the possibility of significant and ongoing legal issues to be addressed.  To prepare students to deal with the variety of legal issues facing Aboriginal communities which they may encounter after graduation, Robson Hall has several courses with a specific focus on Aboriginal people and Canadian law: Aboriginal Justice and Family Law,  Aboriginal Peoples and Land Claims, Aboriginal Peoples and the Law, Advocating for the Rights of Indigenous People in International Law, Kawaskimhon Moot, and Métis People & Canadian law (to be offered 2012-13).  In addition, many of our mandatory courses include Aboriginal perspectives or include content on Aboriginal people’s legal issues.

Did you know Robson Hall students are among the best negotiators and advocates in the world?

Yes, it's true!  Our students participate in Robson Hall's own negotiation competition and many different national negotiation and advocacy competitions.  We have the highest success rate in those competitions of all the Western Canadian law schools.  Last year, success in a national mediation advocacy competition led to two of our students being invited to represent Canada at the world mediation advocacy competition held in Paris, France.  They finished in the top 20, so it is absolutely true that our students are amongst the best negotiators and advocates in the world.

What opportunities do students at Robson Hall have for "hands-on" learning?

Our sudents gain valuable clinical, experiential, or hands-on learning in many diverse courses and programs at Robson Hall.  We have heard from our students that they value learning by doing, and we have heard from law firms that they value students with clinical training.  As a result, we offer many clinical, experiential learning opportunities that provide students with the hands-on experience they seek, translating into future career success.   

How does Robson Hall support its students financially?

With over $450,000 annually in allocations, Robson Hall has a comprehensive needs-based financial aid and bursary program.  This helps to ensure that all eligible students are supported according to their needs.  We demonstrate our commitment to academic excellence by rewarding top students.  We offer 10 Entrance Awards annually ranging from $2500-$6000. Performance and merit based awards are also distributed to students in every course, recognizing academic excellence. Dean’s Honour List Students entering second year and third year are recognized as Pitblado Scholars and receive a $5000 scholarship. To further promote access and achievement, Robson Hall Faculty of Law offers a wide range of in-house Student Services to help students achieve success on their own terms.

How does Robson Hall help its students discover their own career path?

Through our Career Development Office, we offer workshops, seminars, individualized consultations and mentorship, allowing students to discuss their career goals and obtain guidance on how to achieve them.  In addition, we hold an annual Career Fair which allows students to network with local and national firms as well as various government agencies.  As an additional service for students interested in pursuing careers outside Manitoba, we host on-campus interviews for out-of province firms.  The Career Development Office also offers information on court clerkships and international exchanges. 

We are proud to state that over 95% of our Class of 2010 secured Articling or Clerking positions upon graduation.