TORONTO, June 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Jean Teillet, IPC, a member of the Métis Nation and the great-grandniece of Louis Riel, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LLD) by The Law Society of Upper Canada this morning 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.
Law Society Treasurer Janet E. Minor conferred Teillet with the honorary LLD degree before Teillet addressed the soon-to-be lawyers, members of the audience and distinguished guests.
As counsel, appearing before all levels of court across Canada, Ms. Teillet has led negotiations and litigation with provincial and federal governments concerning Métis and First Nation land rights, harvesting rights, commercial harvesting and self-government. She was the lead counsel in the 2003 landmark case, R. v. Powley, the first Métis rights case to be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in which the Court affirmed the constitutional protection of Métis harvesting rights.
In her remarks to the audience, Treasurer Minor encouraged the new lawyers in attendance to lean on those around them. "When in doubt, ask for help. Asking is a strength, not a weakness. I can assure you, everyone on this platform has faced challenges and difficulties — and all have asked for help. They have succeeded and want you to do the same. They want to assist you — all you have to do is reach out and ask," she said.
The Law Society called 308 new lawyers to the Bar of Ontario at the morning 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: "The Law Society of Upper Canada presented an honorary LLD to Jean Teillet, IPC (seated), at the June 26th Call to the Bar morning ceremony in Toronto. Teillet is congratulated by Law Society Treasurer Janet E. Minor (right), Bencher Dianne Corbiere (middle) and Justice Katherine van Rensburg, as she signs the LLD register. (CNW Group/The Law Society of Upper Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150626_C9005_PHOTO_EN_43915.jpg
Image with caption: "Jean Teillet (centre) was conferred with the Doctor of Laws honoris causa by Law Society Treasurer Janet Minor (left) this morning at the June 26th Call to the Bar ceremony at Roy Thomson Hall. Teillet is pictured here about to receive the ceremonial hood from Bencher Jacqueline Horvat. (CNW Group/The Law Society of Upper Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150626_C9005_PHOTO_EN_43914.jpg
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