History
How it all began – “Law in Action Within Schools” (LAWS)
The inspiration
Inspired by the success of two high school “law-themed” programs in New York City -- The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice and The Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice -- U of T’s Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) officially launched on April 28th 2005. Just four months later, in September, it kicked off its first academic year at Central Technical School and Harbord Collegiate Institute. Today it has grown into a highly successful academic and extra-curricular program for students of these two downtown high schools.
New partnership
The multi-faceted initiative targeting Toronto’s inner city youth began as little more than an idea of former law dean, Ron Daniels. In October 2004, Daniels, who is now President of Johns Hopkins University, approached the Toronto District School Board’s Associate Director, Gerry Connolly. The two quickly agreed on the need to level the playing field for students who may face barriers to succeeding in school – and decided to form a partnership between the U of T Faculty of Law and the TDSB.
Field trip to NYC
In November 2004, representatives of the TDSB and the U of T Faculty of Law traveled to New York City to visit the two U.S. high schools. There, the group witnessed first hand the benefits of providing students with opportunities to reach their full potential through law-themed programs. The group of law faculty and teachers returned to Toronto energized and full of ideas about how to establish a similar program for Toronto’s inner city youth.
Pilot schools
Because of their close proximity to the U of T Faculty of Law, Central Tech and Harbord Collegiate were chosen for the pilot project, officially dubbed “LAWS.” It was also felt that the two schools had a significant number of students who could benefit from the extra support and engagement offered by LAWS.
Spring 2005 launch
After a few months of meetings, brainstorming, and logistical planning, LAWS was ready to launch. On April 28, 2005, more than 1,000 high school students, teachers, U of T Faculty of Law members, law students, parents, lawyers and members of the media, crowded into the auditorium at Central Technical School for the inauguration ceremony. The launch event began with a moving rendition of “O Canada” sung by the Central Tech Studio Singers, and included speeches by Daniels, Connelly, Rick Tarasuk, then Principal of Central Tech, and others. In a moving keynote address, former Supreme Court of Canada Justice and former interim President of the University of Toronto, Frank Iacobucci, directed his remarks to the young students in the room, saying: “Education is not just a ticket to earn a living, it’s a passport to learn how to live. Don’t rule out anything. Each of you has the talent to achieve those dreams.”
Expansion
Starting in September 2008, LAWS expanded to include Monarch Park Collegiate in the east-end of the city. The law school’s Dean Mayo Moran is thrilled at the program’s early success. “Much of the credit goes to the amazing volunteer efforts of so many of our students, as well as the commitment of the teachers at the two high schools. It is a truly remarkable partnership.”
