I think that commitment to excellence, to scholarship and to rigorous education stands today as much as it did 50 years ago. The law school continues in its legacy of leadership and strives to be responsive to the needs and interests of Canadian society and the world beyond. Recognizing globalization as a profound influence shaping both the profession and Canadian society, the school has incorporated international curriculum and opportunities into its programs. The faculty recently marked the 10th anniversary of it's international human rights program that has placed over 125 students in summer internships in governmental and non-governmental human rights organizations throughout the world. Closer to home, the law school also has a long history of public and community service.
Students now run and work at four legal-aid clinics.
In addition 200 students are currently working with Pro-Bono Students Canada, a national initiative housed at U of T. The law school and its students continue to build for the future. In response to the tremendous impact of emerging technologies, the school is home to the newly established Centre for Innovation, Law and Policy. Still in the early stages, the centre will be a research, teaching and policy advisory centre for issues related to innovation, intellectual property and technology. This past summer students helped establish the Street Kids Legal Aid Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, the first legal clinic for street kids in Southeast Asia. Over the last four years the school has appointed 18 new faculty members at various levels and in diverse disciplines both from within Canada and around the world.