Osgoode Hall Law School has been ranked second out of 21 law schools in Corporate Knights magazine’s 2009 Knight Schools Survey – up two spots since last year’s ranking.
The ranking, which appears in the Best 50/Education issue of Corporate Knights, was distributed nationally in The Globe and Mail newspaper on June 22.
The sixth annual Knight Schools ranking analyzed how Canadian law programs fare in integrating sustainability into the school experience. It used a broad definition of sustainability that encompassed environmental and social concerns such as issues of social justice, human rights, professional ethics, cultural diversity, climate change and conservation.
The survey, modelled after the US-based Beyond Grey Pinstripes survey, scored the programs in the areas of institutional support, student initiatives and course work.
The top 10 highest-scoring law programs were:
1. University of Toronto: 91 per cent
2. York University - Osgoode Hall Law School: 81 per cent
3. University of Ottawa - Common Law: 79.67 per cent
4. Dalhousie University: 78.75 per cent
5. University of Victoria: 75.5 per cent
6. McGill University: 73.42 per cent
7. University of British Columbia: 71.67 per cent
8. Université du Quebec à Montréal: 67.75 per cent
9. University of Windsor: 63.42 per cent
10: University of Alberta: 56.17 per cent
Also in the education issue, Osgoode's Ethical Lawyering in a Global Community course was identified as one of the best sustainability-related courses.
As well, in an accompanying article titled “Legal Eco-Beagles” about exciting sustainability-related work that is being done, Osgoode Professor Aaron Dhir was singled out for his involvement in developing a legal framework with United Nations Special Envoy John Ruggie to ensure respect of human rights by transnational corporations. Osgoode Professor Dayna Scott was recognized for her work with Health Canada’s Women & Water in Canada project and Osgoode Professor Stepan Wood was acknowledged for his role on the Advisory Committee on Social Responsibility at the Standards Council of Canada.
"The law school is very proud of the exciting inroads we are making in incorporating the idea of sustainability in our programs," said Osgoode Dean Patrick Monahan. "We are a socially engaged law school that aspires to make a difference in the world and you can see that reflected in what we do."
To see the result of the national survey, visit the Corporate Knights magazine Web site and click on "Reports".