Justice Beyond Borders: Abella's Global Legacy

On September 22, 2022, the Faculty of Law celebrated Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella (BA 1967 UC, LLB 1970, Hon LLD 1990) and her trailblazing legal career.

Justice Abella's career has been marked by a series of firsts: she was the first Jewish woman appointed to Canada’s top court; the first pregnant women appointed to the judiciary; and, the first refugee appointed to the bench in Canada. Justice Abella is an ambassador for Canadian values and jurisprudence, and has left a lasting legacy on the Supreme Court of Canada and legal thought around the world.

A discussion regarding Abella's global legacy with international court justices was moderated by Professor Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge, with:

Justice Susanne Baer, Federal Constitutional Court of Germany

Lord John Anthony Dyson, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice (2012 – 2016) and Justice of the Supreme Court, United Kingdom (2010 – 2012)

Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Supreme Court of the United States