Leading Law Students at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School to Get Leg Up From $600,000 Boost to Student Assistance, Thanks to $300,000 McMillan Binch Donation

TORONTO, October 6, 1999 -- Starting next fall, as many as 10 top York University Osgoode Hall Law School students will have the chance to access new student financial assistance, thanks to the foresight of a Toronto-based business law firm. McMillan Binch recently donated $300,000 in support of student financial assistance -- a gift matched by the province's Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund, yielding an additional $600,000 to the school's student assistance endowment. The donation will bring to students a minimum annual pay-out of $30,000.

A reception to celebrate the establishment of these McMillan Binch Awards, which will be distributed in the fall of 2000, will be held Thursday, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m., at the Courthouse Market Grille and Chamber Lounge, 10 Court St., Toronto.

"Osgoode's top fund raising priority is student financial aid," says Dean Peter Hogg. "McMillan Binch has responded with great generosity, proving, yet again, why the firm is a leader in our community and on our campus."

Founded in 1903, McMillan Binch is one of Canada's leading full service business law firms, serving domestic and international enterprises, financial institutions, governments and private individuals. McMillan Binch is a well recognized name on campus. One quarter of the firm's 160 lawyers are Osgoode alumni, and more students are recruited each year for coveted articling positions.

"It was this exceptional commitment to the school and an acute awareness of the financial challenges facing law students in today's deregulated tuition era that prompted the donation," said Stephanie Willson, director of student and associate programs at McMillan Binch. "A high quality legal education is the cornerstone of a successful career in law. We wanted to do something significant to ensure that outstanding Osgoode students are afforded that opportunity without interruption or financial pressure."

The McMillan Binch Awards, now considered one of Osgoode's most prestigious awards, will help the school attract and retain top law students. Up to 10 awards will be available annually to entering students and to those who have completed the first year of the LLB program. At least two of the awards will be available to candidates in the combined LLB/MBA program. All candidates will be judged on the basis of academic excellence and financial need. The value of each award will vary from year to year, depending upon the number of eligible recipients.

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For more information, please contact:

Peter Hogg
Dean, Osgoode Hall Law School
York University
(416) 736-5199
email: lawdean@yorku.ca

Stephanie Willson
Director, Student and Associate Programs
McMillan Binch
(416) 865-7000
swillson@mcbinch.com

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/097/99