Erika Chamberlain has been named the new Dean of Western University’s Faculty of Law, beginning May 1, 2017. Chamberlain — who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship and administration since joining Western’s law school in 2005 — has been Associate Dean (Academic) at Western Law for the past five years.
Chamberlain has excelled administratively as she led development of the faculty’s strategic plan; led planning and implementation of curriculum reform; and played an important role in budget planning, developing interdisciplinary programs, accreditations and faculty appointments. She has also served on many internal and external committees, including the Council of Ontario Universities Quality Council.
She is also an acknowledged leader in teaching and scholarship. Chamberlain is a three-time recipient of the University Students’ Council Teaching Honour Roll and has twice received the J. McLeod Professor of the Year Award from the Student Legal Society. Her work on tort law has been adopted nationally as a textbook and she is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the tort of misfeasance in public office. Her work in impaired driving law has been cited by provincial courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Chamberlain’s appointment was endorsed by university President Amit Chakma and Western’s Board of Governors upon recommendation from a special selection committee appointed by university Senate. Chamberlain’s is a five-year appointment and she will replace Iain Scott, whose term ends this year.
“Erika has demonstrated her exceptional leadership abilities and commitment to Western Law over the course of her entire academic career and I know she will help the faculty continue building on its reputation as Canada’s premiere business law school,” Chakma said.
“I am thrilled to be appointed as the new dean of Law. I want to continue to build our scholarly impact and provide a legal education that is engaging and relevant for the changing profession,” Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain was a National Scholar at Western in 1996 and graduated with her LLB as Gold Medalist from Western Law in 2001. She clerked on the Supreme Court of Canada in 2002 and joined Western as assistant professor in 2005. She earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2009.
MEDIA CONTACT: Susanna Eayrs, Communications Officer, Faculty of Law, email seayrs@uwo.ca or 519-661-2126
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