Over the past few months, I have been reflecting a great deal on leadership.
That is perhaps inevitable. Earlier this spring, I announced that I will not be seeking another five-year term as Dean, although I will remain in the role until June 2027. Leadership transitions naturally invite reflection—not only on where an institution has been, but also on where it is headed.
As I think about the future of UNB Law, I find myself returning to a simple observation: one of the most important things we do is develop leaders.
I do not mean leadership in the narrow sense of titles or positions. Leadership is not confined to judges, managing partners, elected officials, or deans. Rather, it is the ability to exercise sound judgment, solve difficult problems, serve others, and make meaningful contributions to one’s profession and community. By that measure, leadership can be found in courtrooms and boardrooms, but also in classrooms, community organizations, volunteer initiatives, and countless other settings.
What strikes me about the stories in this issue of Nexus is how clearly they demonstrate that leadership is being cultivated throughout the UNB Law community every day.
Consider the remarkable achievements of our students. This year, four UNB Law students were named Sir Howard Douglas Scholars, one of the University’s most prestigious academic distinctions. Given the size of our faculty, that accomplishment is extraordinary. These students are being recognized not only for academic excellence, but also for their initiative, engagement, and contributions to the broader university community. Their success reflects the kind of well-rounded leadership that universities should aspire to develop.
The same theme emerges in the story about our students who have secured judicial clerkships across Canada. These highly competitive opportunities place our graduates alongside some of the country’s leading jurists and provide an unparalleled opportunity to deepen their legal knowledge and judgment. The fact that UNB Law students continue to secure clerkships at courts across the country speaks to their talent, hard work, and preparation. It also reflects the support, mentorship, and educational environment that help them succeed.
Leadership is developed through experience, and few examples illustrate that better than the Sport Law Clinic. Under the leadership of Kelly VanBuskirk, students are working on real disputes with real consequences. They are conducting investigations, assessing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and making recommendations that affect individuals and organizations. These experiences teach students that law is not simply about knowing legal rules. It is about exercising judgment in situations where the answers are not always obvious and where competing interests must be carefully balanced. Those are leadership skills as much as legal skills.
The same commitment to developing thoughtful and capable leaders can be seen in the work of our faculty. This year, Professor Hilary Young received UNB’s Teaching Excellence Award, a richly deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions in the classroom. Great teaching is about much more than conveying information. The best teachers challenge students to think critically, analyze complex problems, communicate effectively, and approach difficult questions with intellectual curiosity and rigor. Those abilities are essential to successful legal practice, but they are equally important for leadership in any field. Professor Young’s recognition reminds us that the foundation of leadership is often built one classroom discussion at a time.
Likewise, Professor David Matyas’ work in international humanitarian law demonstrates that legal education extends well beyond the classroom. By connecting students with history, place, and lived experience through initiatives such as the visit to Internment Camp B/70, he encourages them to grapple with the broader social and human dimensions of law. These experiences help students understand that legal issues do not exist in the abstract. They affect real people, communities, and institutions. Effective leaders must be able to appreciate those connections.
Our alumni provide perhaps the clearest evidence of the enduring impact of this mission.
In this issue, we profile Judge Scott Brittain, recipient of the Proudly UNB Alumni Award of Distinction. Throughout his career—as a lawyer, public servant, volunteer leader, and now judge—he has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service and the administration of justice. His story reminds us that leadership is often expressed through steady service, thoughtful decision-making, and a willingness to take responsibility for difficult choices.
We also celebrate Marc Mercier, this year’s recipient of the Ilsa Greenblatt Shore Distinguished Graduate Award. Marc has achieved extraordinary success in one of Canada’s leading law firms, but what makes his story particularly compelling is the way he has combined professional excellence with sustained service to amateur hockey and his community. His career illustrates an important lesson: leadership is not simply about achievement. It is about using one’s skills and influence to strengthen the institutions and communities that make success possible.
The same spirit is reflected in the recognition of Professor Bruno Gélinas-Faucher for his commitment to pro bono service. Leadership often reveals itself through a willingness to help others, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to legal assistance. Service has always been one of the defining values of the legal profession, and it remains one of the defining values of UNB Law.
Taken together, these stories tell us something important about who we are.
They remind us that leadership is not produced by accident. It emerges from a community that values mentorship, service, intellectual rigor, experiential learning, and personal responsibility. It grows when students are challenged by exceptional teachers, supported by dedicated staff, mentored by alumni, and given opportunities to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
They also remind us that institutions thrive when people invest in them. Every accomplishment featured in these pages reflects the contributions of individuals who have helped build and sustain UNB Law over many generations. Faculty members who inspire students. Alumni who mentor young lawyers. Donors who support new opportunities. Staff members who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Students who challenge themselves to achieve more than they thought possible.
That collective commitment gives me tremendous confidence about the future.
Leadership transitions are healthy when institutions have successfully prepared the next generation to carry the work forward. As I read the stories in this issue, I am reminded that UNB Law has been doing exactly that for more than 130 years. We are not simply educating lawyers. We are helping develop the leaders who will shape our profession, our communities, and our society in the years ahead.
For that reason, I remain deeply optimistic about what lies ahead for our faculty.
Thank you, as always, for your friendship, support, and continued engagement with UNB Law. I hope you enjoy this issue of Nexus.
Please email your comments, story ideas, and alumni updates to nexus@unb.ca.
Editor & Creative Director: Ed Bowes
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue.
