Message From The Dean


Thank you for your interest in the Faculty of Law, University
of Windsor. From this website, you will learn about the
unique programs and distinctive features of our law school.
Our students acquire knowledge of both the law and its
impact upon society. Although it is important to
understand the technical aspects of the law, it is
equally critical to see law in its complex social context
and, thereby, gain an appreciation of the law as a
vehicle for the pursuit of social as well as legal justice.
In addition to all the basic classes which are
considered necessary to a legal education, we offer
courses, seminars, and workshops which both reflect
the professional interests of our students and also
serve to enrich the learning experience. Our curriculum
provides students with the educational preparation
necessary for careers in traditional legal practice, the
corporate world, clinical law, government and public service
as well as other less traditional careers.

The Faculty of Law has a history of innovation in our
curriculum, methods of teaching, and programs. We are
proud of our special learning environment. It is our goal to
provide our students with the knowledge and skills
important to a legal education along with the opportunity
to put that knowledge and skill into action in ways that
contribute to the personal development of our students
and to the betterment of our community. Experiential
learning is a centrepiece of our curriculum. We offer a
variety of clinical opportunities for students in all years of
study. We operate two poverty law clinics – Legal
Assistance of Windsor and Community Legal Aid – as
well as the first Canadian law school-based mediation
program – the University of Windsor Mediation Service.
The Windsor Pro Bono Students Canada Program is active
in linking law students with supervising lawyers to provide
pro bono legal assistance to individuals, groups, and
organizations. These clinics, our mooting program, and
other experiential courses help students develop
important “lawyering” skills such as interviewing,
counselling, writing, drafting, negotiation, advocacy,
research, and problem-solving. Our graduates are
exceptionally good at these skills. The Paul Martin Law
Library with its two computer labs, provides an essential
resource for the delivery of our program.

The University of Windsor has adopted two institutional
themes: Access to Justice and Canada-U.S. Legal Issues.
Access to Justice, as manifested in a concern about access
to legal education and the legal profession, underlies our
admission policy. Our objective is to select those students
who will excel in the study of law and have the potential
to contribute creatively and meaningfully to the law school
and the community. We believe that a person’s ability to
study law should be assessed based upon various criteria
including work experience, community involvement,
personal career goals, accomplishments, personal
considerations, as well as post secondary academic
achievement and performance on the Law School
Admission Test.

Our Faculty has developed innovative and often
groundbreaking programs in legal aid, the legal profession,
prepaid legal services, community legal education,
alternative dispute resolution, multiculturalism, and law in
aid of development. We publish The Windsor Yearbook of
Access to Justice, a multi-disciplinary and internationally
recognized venue for scholars around the world to
contribute to a greater understanding of law, the legal
system, and access to justice. The Windsor Review of Legal
and Social Issues, published by our students, is a valuable
source of commentary and analysis of law and its social
implications.

“Canada-U.S. Legal Issues” is a natural theme, given our
geographic proximity to the United States. We have
developed close links to the University of Detroit Mercy
School of Law and Wayne State University School of Law.
Our students can take courses for credit at either U.S.
institution even on the same day as their courses at
Windsor. Our Integrated J.D./LL.B. Degree Program, offered
in conjunction with the University of Detroit Mercy, is a
unique and exciting program not available anywhere else.
Through the Intellectual Property Law Institute, students
have the opportunity to enrol in a broad selection of
courses exploring this exciting technologically focused area
of law. The Canadian-American Research Centre for Law
and Policy provides a base for research and teaching and a
means for sharing perspectives on trans-border issues.
Student participation in our planning, projects, and
deliberations enhance our achievements. Student initiatives
have ensured our dynamism. Our student body is reflective
of the diversity of Canadian society and collectively
represents a rich array of experiences and goals. Similarly,
diversity is a feature of our Faculty. We actively encourage
the interchange of ideas among all members of our law
school community.

We welcome your interest in our program. I know that
you will agree that a legal education at Canada’s most
southern law school provides an exciting, enriching, and
enlightening experience.


Professor Bruce P. Elman, LL.B., LL.M.
Dean of Law

Questions or comments should be directed to uwlaw@uwindsor.ca