Richard Ivey, LLB 1975This donor profile is from the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Nexus.

Alumnus Richard Ivey says he owes much to his law school. “It positioned me to go to Torys, where I spent six wonderful years. And those wonderful years in turn positioned me for life in the business and non-profit worlds.”

That’s why he has chosen to support the exciting new building campaign “for Canada’s pre-eminent law school.  I owe a great deal to the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.”

Ivey says the rejuvenation project is certain to have a tremendous impact on students and faculty—just like his favourite course while at the law school had an impact on him. Taught by then-adjunct professor Jim Peterson, a practicing and busy international law lawyer (and brother to former Ontario premier David Peterson), he called it “absolutely fascinating.”

“He had been sought out by the United Nations to act on behalf of Sudan in negotiations with British mogul Tiny Rowlands, head of the Lonrho conglomerate, who wanted to build a sugar refinery in Sudan. The course was a description and discussion of that entire process.”

Says Ivey:  “A conducive environment to intellectual engagement and learning adds a lot more than most people think. It also has some relevance in the competitive recruiting process.” It’s one of the things that continues to support UTLaw’s reputation as a stellar law school, says Ivey, and he’s pleased to be a part of it.

By Karen Gross and Lucianna Ciccocioppo / Photo by Nigel Dickson