The University of British Columbia

J. Donald Mawhinney Lectureship in Professional Ethics  

The J. Donald Mawhinney Lectureship in Professional Ethics was established in honour of J. Donald Mawhinney, Q.C., to recognize his outstanding contributions to British Columbia’s legal community, his commitment to legal education and his dedication to practicing with the very highest standard of professional ethics. Each year the Faculty of Law hosts an individual from the judiciary, the practice of law or academia to come to UBC as the J. Donald Mawhinney Lecturer. During the visit, the lecturer presents two lectures, one to students and one to members of the bar, the judiciary and the general public.

This lecture commemorates Mr. Mawhinney’s dedication to professional ethics and legal education, and recognizes those whose contributions enabled the Lectureship in Professional Ethics. A special thank you to family, friends and colleagues whose generous contributions have made this lecture possible.

Previous J. Donald Mawhinney lecturers have been:

2006
Speaker: The Honourable Mr. Justice Ian Binnie
Topic: The Boom in the Law Business
Delivered Tuesday, February 28

2007
Speaker: The Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada
Topic: Professionalism, Civility and the Just Society
Delivered Thursday, March 1, 2007

2008
Speaker: Dr. Christine Parker
Topic: “Peering Over the Ethical Precipice: Incorporation, Listing and the Ethical Responsibilities of Law Firms”
Delivered Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Spring 2009
Speaker: Professor David Wilkins
Topic: “From Agents to Partners: Toward a New Model of the Corporate Attorney-Client Relationship.”
Delivered: Thursday, February 5, 2009
 
Fall 2009
Speaker: Professor Richard Devlin
Topic: “From Archetypes to Architects: Envisioning a Role Morality for Trial Level Judges”
Delivered: Thursday, October 22, 2009

Fall 2010
Speaker: The Honorable Michael Code
Topic: "The Importance of Professionalism and Civility in the Era of Modern Mega-Trials"
Delivered: November 24, 2010

Winter 2012
Speaker: The Honorable Frank Iacobucci
Topic: "A Canadian Perspective on the Challenges of Terrorism"
Delivered: January 8, 2012