TRU’s new dean of law starts in fall

NEWS/ TRU — A Canadian leader in social justice and Indigenous law issues will lead Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty of Law.

Bradford Morse will begin his duties as the Dean of Law during the fall of 2014.

“I am excited that we have attracted such an excellent legal scholar and experienced academic administrator. Dean Morse’s work has been highly influential with respect to a number of important legal issues,” said Alan Shaver, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor.

“TRU’s Faculty of Law is off to an excellent start having recruited a core of exceptionally talented professors and administrative staff as well as now having its first JD graduates,” said Morse.

“TRU has a bright future with strong leadership and my role as the new dean will be to enhance the reputation and performance of our law school.”

Morse joins TRU after five years as dean and law professor at Te Piringa – Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, ranked in the top 100 law schools in the world in 2013.

Prior to his experience in New Zealand he was professor of law in the Faculty of Law, served as vice-dean and director of graduate studies at the University of Ottawa.

As a professor Morse has taught courses concerning Canadian and comparative Indigenous law issues, as well as labour law, trusts, property and civil liberties.

He has been directly involved in the establishment of Aboriginal legal services programs and child welfare agencies, as well as in land claims, environmental disputes, constitutional, treaty and self-government negotiations, economic development projects, legislative drafting and other Aboriginal government matters.

He has also served as counsel in litigation on Aboriginal and treaty rights as well as an expert witness before numerous parliamentary and legislative committees and administrative tribunals.

From 1988 to 1991, Morse was the director of research and planning for the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba. He served as executive assistant to Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Ronald Irwin from late 1993 until early 1997. He has also served as chief federal negotiator on several Canadian land claims. He has been a consultant to various royal commissions, government departments and Indigenous peoples’ organizations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Morse holds a BA from Rutgers University, LLB from the UBC Faculty of Law, and LLM from Osgoode Hall, York University.