We have a new Assistant Dean of Advancement at the Faculty of Law, and her name is Chantelle Courtney. Chantelle brings extensive experience in firm leadership roles, including student and lawyer recruitment, career development and client education. Most recently, she was the Director of Professional Development firm-wide at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. Chantelle is a graduate of Huron University College, University of Western Ontario, with a BA in history, and earned her LLB from Queen’s Faculty of Law. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997. As Chantelle told Lucianna Ciccocioppo, Executive Editor of Nexus, she is very excited to be here:
LC: Welcome to the U of T Faculty of Law.
CC: Thank you!
LC: Tell us about your first impressions of the law school.
CC The experience has been fantastic. The dean, the advancement team and the faculty as a whole have been incredibly welcoming. Key factors in my decision to take on this role were the chance to work with the incredible alumni base and the renowned faculty. It has been a great start.
LC: Why did you decide to move from the corporate world to the U of T law school?
CC: It was actually an unexpected, but wonderful opportunity! I realized that this was a unique chance to leverage the expertise developed in law-firm roles to support the law school in delivering programs that ultimately are key to producing Canadian leaders in all fields. That was motivating for me, personally and professionally.
LC: How do you think your career to-date will inform this role?
CC: More than 13 years in key roles at top firms have helped me to develop a strong network of colleagues and friends who are leaders in their respective practice areas. These roles helped me to develop a deep understanding of the path from law school to practice leadership. Specifically, I appreciate the role the law school can play in being a resource and support for our alumni, and vice versa. There is so much opportunity there that we have the chance to tackle. It has been exciting and rewarding to be a part of recruiting and developing highly talented lawyers, and those skills will apply well to engaging our terrific alumni base.
LC: What are some of your immediate and long-term goals?
CC: First, I’m really looking forward to meeting and speaking with our alumni, many of whom I’ve had the good fortune to meet throughout my career, and many more whom I’ll meet in this new role. It’s an exciting time to be at the Faculty of Law. The building campaign—a phenomenal success—is close to completion. Immediate goals are to be a part of completing and celebrating that campaign, and recognizing our wonderful donor alumni. Longer term, we want to consider fresh, meaningful ways for our alumni to engage and feel rewarded by their connection to the school. Specifically: how can the law school support and add to their success? And what is meaningful and vital for them to participate in our continued success? The relationship needs to be mutually beneficial, and there are many exciting opportunities in that priority.
Chantelle Courtney can be reached at: chantelle.courtney@utoronto.ca
Photo: Whittney Ambeault
