John Stransman Memorial Lecture
From the Fall 2004 issue of Nexus.
In memory of John Stransman, one of the law school's most talented graduates and a doting husband and father, 219 individual donors pledged a total of over $200,000 to fund a new annual lecture series at the Faculty of Law. Many of these donors were John's colleagues from Stikeman Elliott. The John Stransman Memorial Lecture, established after John's untimely death in 2002, invites a leading non-lawyer to speak on a subject of interest to the law school community. This generous gift is a fitting tribute to John, whose love of education was infectious.
After graduating in 1977, John went on to pursue an LL.M. in Securities Law from Harvard University. He was also called to the New York Bar. "John was always interested in other perspectives, especially American," recalls his wife Anne Rogers, another U of T law alumnus. "He was a true lateral thinker with a flair for shining a light on an issue from many different angles."
Known as a soft-spoken negotiator who excelled at bringing opponents together to resolve complex issues, John guided many of the country's largest companies through high profile takeover and securities cases. He was particularly noted for his creative corporate transactions, the redesign of market structure in the securities industry and energy sector and the recent landmark YBM settlement. But he was famous for leading a life that was rich in ideas.
John's partner, Ed Waitzer, remembers meeting him in law school almost thirty years ago. Even back then, he recognized John's extraordinary desire to challenge and be challenged. "John was full of curiosity, thoughtfulness and intellect," he recalls, noting that his friend became more than a consummate professional. He was interested in public policy and tackled problems with the confidence that he would always solve them. "John was the master of the elegant solution."
His passion for learning in all areas made it seem effortless. "John would tell you he knew nothing about litigation," says Waitzer. "But after listening to the specialists, he would instinctively figure out the right strategy. Our tax lawyers loved working with John even though he 'knew nothing about tax.' So, too, with coaching his boys' sports teams or winning dance contests at firm functions."
The inaugural John Stransman Memorial Lecture will be delivered by an extraordinary Canadian, Professor Michael Ignatieff on March 4, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. in the Bennett Lecture Hall, Flavelle House. Professor Ignatieff is the Professor of the Practice of Human Rights and the Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. "John loved a stimulating academic dialogue," remembers his wife Anne. "He would have enjoyed this series."
