Monday, February 25, 2002

Well-known Toronto lawyer Brian Greenspan is the recipient of the 2002 Douglas K. Laidlaw Medal in recognition of his excellence in oral advocacy. This award, given annually to a distinguished Canadian barrister, is among the most prestigious honours bestowed upon a member of the legal profession.

Greenspan, a partner in the Toronto law firm Greenspan, Humphrey, Lavine, received his B.A. from the University of Toronto (í68), LL.B. from Osgoode Hall (í71) and LL.M. from the London School of Management (í72). A past Laidlaw Foundation Fellow, Greenspan is a respected lawyer and teacher, and has served on numerous legal organizations, including as president of the Criminal Lawyersí Association, founding chair of the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers, and vice-chair of the Criminal Justice Section for the Canadian Bar Association.

The award is made possible by the Douglas K. Laidlaw Fund, which aims to further legal education and the ideals of the profession. The fund was established in 1997 by friends and colleagues of the late Douglas K. Laidlaw Q.C., a renowned trial lawyer and long-time supporter of the University of Toronto law schoolís trial advocacy program.

The fund endows in perpetuity the medal and Douglas K. Laidlaw Scholarships for first- and second-year students at the University of Torontoís Faculty of Law. The scholarships are awarded on basis of academic excellence, financial need and a demonstrated interest and proficiency in advocacy.

A ceremony to honour Greenspan and the scholarship recipients takes place Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Moot Court Room and Rowell Room, Flavelle House, Faculty of Law, 78 Queenís Park.