UNB Law Podcast

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin, K.C. sits down with retired UNB Law professors Richard Bird, K.C. (BCL ’67), and Karl Dore, K.C. (BCL ’67). They discuss their early lives growing up in Fredericton (3:40); studying together at UNB Law in the late 1960s (9:46); the impact Dean William Ryan had on their academic and teaching careers (20:00); their decision to enter academia and their experience as young professors (31:22); the philosophy behind the Socratic method of teaching (51:56); proudest moments from their teaching careers (1:11:53); working on law reform projects, including the New Brunswick Consumer Product Warranty and Liability Act and the Business Corporations Act, and the Credit Union Act (1:14:22); their thoughts on the essential character of UNB Law as an institution (1:24:27); and ways students and professionals can cope with the difficulties of studying and practicing law (1:35:06).

In this special episode, alumna Janet Hoyt (LLB ‘84) interviews her father, William (Bill) Lloyd Hoyt, O.C., K.C., M.A., former Chief Justice of New Brunswick (1993 to 1998). The pair discuss Hoyt’s years as a student and the decision to study the law at Cambridge (05:20); his time as a UNB Law lecturer in the early 60s (13:50); practicing law at Limerick & Limerick and the dynamic and challenging legal landscape for a young lawyer in the 60s and 70s (20:27); his commitment to continuing legal education and roles with the Law Society, the CBA, and the Canadian Judicial Council (33:49); and the capstone of his career, his experience as one of three commonwealth judges to sit on the “Bloody Sunday” inquiry examining the events surrounding the shooting of 26 unarmed civilians by the British military in Derry, Northern Ireland (41:11).

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with Shirley MacLean, QC (LLB ’90), Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick. The pair discuss MacLean’s influential decision to study French at Université Laval (7:42); her first four years as a lawyer in private practice and her eventual move to the Law Society of New Brunswick (20:21); the challenging work involved in her role as Registrar of Complaints (24:38); strategies lawyers can use to prevent complaints and how to respond if a complaint is filed (31:00); her role as Commissioner of Official Languages and the strengths of New Brunswick’s bilingualism (41:33); her response to criticism of bilingualism in the province, debunking myths, and promotional work (56:44); and advice on building a career outside of private practice (1:05:50).

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with Patricia Bernard (LLB ’99), Wolastoqey woman, grandmother, lawyer, and Chief of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation in northern New Brunswick. The pair discuss the challenges of connecting traditional law school material to indigenous issues/law (11:57); the governance structure of the First Nation (24:33); initiating the historic land claim as a UNB Law 2L and the 23-year long process that followed (36:33); negotiating the $145M settlement (52:55); the details of the settlement including the addition of land, and the distribution and investment of funds for the future of the First Nation (1:04:18); the impressive economic development of the Madawaska region (1:08:31); and Chief Bernard’s work to unite the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick  (1:17:45).

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with Ian Putnam (LLB ’96), President and CEO of HBC Properties and Investments. The pair discuss Ian’s decision to study law at UNB (8:50); his move to Bay Street and Stikeman Elliott upon graduation (23:45); practising in New York City with Paul Weiss (27:57); making the leap from private practice to business executive with HBC (37:50); his role as CEO and steward of HBC’s iconic properties (42:15); ways young lawyers can make their mark at a large firm (53:19); and his outlook on the labour market (1:10:15).

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with Vaughn MacLellan (LLB ’95), Partner with DLA Piper in Toronto, where he practises corporate and securities law with an emphasis on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. The pair discuss Vaughn’s unconventional path to law school (9:28); his decision to leave the Maritimes to pursue securities law in Toronto (40:14); the need to translate Canadian entrepreneurial ambition into marketable expansion and growth (58:48); the role of a business lawyer/how to best add value for a client (1:18:54); advice to students on today’s employment market (1:21:41); and handling stress and mental health in the legal profession (1:33:27).

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with Lydia Bugden, QC (LLB ’91), CEO & Managing Partner, Stewart McKelvey. Lydia discusses the importance of responding to setbacks and embracing an unplanned career trajectory (7:00); her approach to leadership, the role of the CEO at a law firm and the corporate model (31:07); the regional consolidation of law firms and the Atlantic Canada advantage for relationship building (40:17); and the changing expectations of the new generation of lawyers and the collaborative office environment (1:07:18).

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with The Hon. Graydon Nicholas, CM, ONB (LLB ’71), the first indigenous person to hold the position of Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. The pair discuss Graydon’s involvement in many prominent aboriginal rights cases with the  Union of New Brunswick Indians; the legal, political, and educational issues surrounding treaty rights in Canada; and the background of his historic appointment as Lieutenant Governor.

In this episode, Dean Michael Marin sits down with The Hon. Wade MacLauchlan, CM, OPEI (LLB ’81), former president of UPEI, and the 32nd  Premier of Prince Edward Island. The pair discuss Wade’s experience  growing up in rural PEI; his life in law school as a Beaverbrook scholar; clerking at the Supreme Court; his time as dean of UNB Law; and his impressive political career.

In this episode, dean Michael Marin sits down with Simone Cole (LLB ‘06), Vice President, General Counsel, and Head of Compliance, Weston Foods. Simone discusses the transition from UNB Law to Bay Street, the importance of taking ownership of your career, the shifting concept of “the right fit” at large firms, and her move to in-house counsel with Weston Foods, where she was a part of the 12.4-billion-dollar acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.