TORONTO, June 23, 2015 /CNW/ - An honorary Doctor of Laws degrees (LLD) was conferred upon Julian Porter, QC, today by The Law Society of Upper Canada. A defender of Canada's leading writers, publishers and magazines, Porter received the honour at the Call to the Bar ceremony at Roy Thomson Hall.
The Law Society confers LLDs, honoris causa, in recognition of outstanding achievements in service and benefit to the legal profession, the rule of law or the cause of justice. The honorary LLD recipient serves as an inspirational keynote speaker for the new lawyers attending the Call ceremonies.
"It is difficult to practise law with unfettered imagination. You must always stay close to the wind of the legal puzzle," said Porter to the soon-to-be lawyers. "What reading does is feed the imagination," he explained. Porter, who was called to the Bar in 1964, went on to advise the Call candidates: "I urge you to read fiction. Read outside the scope of law; hear plays, see drama — as if your life depended on it. Sometimes struggles will sideswipe you, [but] with your trove of reading, you will find a refuge, a separate strength. You will have the knowledge that you are not alone. Your developed sensitivity is a passport to a complete life. Read as if your life depended on it," said Porter.
Treasurer Minor also addressed today's new lawyers giving them words of wisdom and encouragement. "At this moment, you are at a wonderful vantage point. You can look back and understand what helped you reach this happy day: dedication to your goal, imagination, hard work and the support of others — your teachers, professors, your family, friends and your community. From this vantage point, you can also look forward and celebrate the great opportunities that lie ahead," she said.
The Law Society called 346 new lawyers to the Bar of Ontario at today's ceremony. Nearly 1,700 new lawyers will be called at six Call to the Bar ceremonies being held across the province in June.
SOURCE The Law Society of Upper Canada
Image with caption: "Julian Porter, QC, (centre) holds the Doctor of Laws honoris causa degree presented to him by The Law Society of Upper Canada at the June 23rd Call to the Bar ceremony at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Treasurer Janet Minor (left) and Associate Chief Justice Frank Marrocco (right) congratulate him. (CNW Group/The Law Society of Upper Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150623_C9868_PHOTO_EN_43790.jpg
Image with caption: "Julian Porter, QC, (centre) was awarded an honorary LLD today, conferred upon him by Law Society Treasurer Janet Minor (left) at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. He was hooded by former Law Society Treasurer Laurie Pawlitza (right) at the June 23rd Call to the Bar ceremony. (CNW Group/The Law Society of Upper Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150623_C9868_PHOTO_EN_43788.jpg
Image with caption: "Julian Porter, QC, (centre) was awarded an honorary LLD today, conferred upon him by Law Society Treasurer Janet Minor (left) at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. He was hooded by former Law Society Treasurer Laurie Pawlitza (right) at the June 23rd Call to the Bar ceremony. (CNW Group/The Law Society of Upper Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150623_C9868_PHOTO_EN_43789.jpg
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