College of Law, University of Saskatchewan

faculty members Clayton Bangsund and Jamesy Patrick will be honoured at the 2026 University of Saskatchewan Staff and Faculty Awards.

Clayton is the 2026 recipient of the Provost’s College Award for Outstanding Teaching, which recognizes the educator’s dedication, creativity and impact. “Most of my students become practising lawyers who serve clients of all sorts including individuals, corporations, and governments. I hope that students emerge from my classroom with foundational knowledge of the law along with a pragmatic mindset that enables them to identify and effectively resolve problems in their future clients’ best interests.”

Jamesy is receiving the 2026 Publicly Engaged Scholarship Team Award for research exploring critical legal and policy issues affecting child welfare systems in First Nations communities. "We have a major systemic over-representation of Indigenous youth and children in care . . . and I saw there’s a gap in research in this area, and there’s a gap in resources. For me, it’s all about the kids and the future of the province and the country as we face the realities of reconciliation.”

Congratulations to Clayton and Jamesy for their outstanding contributions to our students and college and the impact this has far beyond our college.

See the full list of USask recipients here: https://leadership.usask.ca/events/faculty-staff-awards.php

The USask College of Law is honoured to welcome alumni and members of the bar to the 2026 Saskatchewan In House Legal Executive Forum, taking place today. Hosted by Ken Fredeen (LLB ’86), this year’s event explores the theme “Leading Through Change.”

USask Law alumnus Jared Brown (JD'15) says he started considering law school while earning his undergrad degree at the University of Saskatchewan.“The College of Law has a history of producing leaders in Saskatchewan.”

The presence of the Indigenous Law Centre made his decision to apply to USask Law that much easier, he adds.

Brown, a former president of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union, recently spoke to the Green & White about his time at USask and his flourishing law career. Read the article here: https://greenandwhite.usask.ca/articles/2026/representation-matters.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawSW4X1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKVEVpaERZUlFMWEYyMVR6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrdH0x7Bjsrls6eqMbcx01fGIoQ1P4h9ybhjew9kGbyuUJvG1Bw5l-6oKRdP_aem_qj0KJXlWpUwVnqn6BRedZQ

As he wraps up 10 years as dean of USask Law, we asked Martin Phillipson what aspects of the job surprised him.

"I knew we had great alumni, but I’m constantly amazed by how successful so many have been and by the remarkable things they’ve accomplished," he says. "At the same time, we’re justifiably proud of the thousands of alumni who quietly go about their work and make a real difference in the lives of their clients and their communities."

Before Phillipson heads out at the end of June, we asked him what advice he'd give his past self and what his hopes are for the college. Read more on the USask Law website: https://law.usask.ca/about/articles/2026/news-phillipson-bids-fond-farewell-to-usask-law.php

Brad Heskin was prepared for his marks to drop once he started law school, but after is first mid-terms, he gained some confidence.

“I was like, ‘Maybe I can do this.’ And then finals went well and it just continued to go well after that. It was definitely a surprise compared to what I expected coming in to law school.”

This week, Heskin graduated as the Law Society of Saskatchewan Gold Medalist, earning the highest cumulative academic average at law school.

Check out this article on the USask Law website to read more about Heskin's law school experience and his best piece of advice for first-years: https://law.usask.ca/about/articles/2026/heskin-earns-top-graduating-honours-in-usask-law.php

Congratulations to the top grads from USask Law's Class of 2026! They earned the Law Society of Saskatchewan Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals in recognition of their exceptional academic achievement.

🏅 Brad Heskin, Gold Medalist
🏅 Ashley King, Silver Medalist
🏅 Drake Bodie, Bronze Medalist

Read more about them on the college website: https://law.usask.ca/about/articles/2026/law-society-of-saskatchewan-medals-awarded-to-top-usask-law-graduates.php

Congratulations to Professor Barbara von Tigerstrom, who is one of five USask scholars receiving the lifetime honorary title of distinguished professor. It celebrates lifetime achievement in research, scholarly, and artistic work.

von Tigerstrom is one of Canada’s most influential scholars in health law, privacy law, and the regulation of biomedical technologies. Her research has shaped legal scholarship, public policy, and regulatory practice nationally and internationally. Further to this, she has received five institutional teaching awards and national recognition from the Canadian Association of Law Teachers.

“As a Distinguished Professor, Dr. von Tigerstrom would represent the best of what we as a university have to offer. She is humble and hard-working, and she brings to USask both profound academic depth and true heft,” Dean Martin Phillipson wrote in von Tigerstrom’s nomination letter.

While von Tigerstrom is happy that her recognition is shining a spotlight on the College of Law, she was a reluctant nominee. “This particular designation is intended to recognize effort and achievement across the whole spectrum of the job, including both teaching and research. To me, both have always been really important, so I like the idea of the university honouring faculty for this,” von Tigerstrom said. “But I feel uncomfortable being singled out when so many people are doing great work.”

Read more about highlights in von Tigerstrom’s career: https://law.usask.ca/about/articles/2026/the-best-of-what-usask-has-to-offer.php

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! The convocation ceremony takes place on June 3 at 9am and you can join us as we celebrate these grads by tuning in to the livestream on the USask YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIlQZn1oYmY