Former Law Clerks, now Lawyers with Lerners, Reflect on 150 years of the Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada is recognizing its 150th anniversary later this year under the theme “150 years of upholding the rule of law, building public trust, and serving our community.” This comes at a particularly important time when, as Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner said at his annual news conference on June 10, “the rule of law and judicial independence [are] under attack” around the world and he urged Canadians to preserve and defend their legal institutions.

Established in 1875, the Supreme Court is Canada’s final court of appeal, and the only bilingual and “bijural apex” court in the world. This term refers to a court that operates within a legal system where two distinct legal traditions, typically common law and civil law, coexist and are both recognized within the court's jurisdiction.

For 150 years, the Supreme Court has served Canadians by deciding legal issues of public importance. As guardian of our constitution and protector of our rights and freedoms, its decisions have provided the legal foundation for the strong and democratic country we know.

As part of the anniversary celebration, a Law Clerk Reunion is set to take place in Ottawa from June 13-15. This event will bring together current and former judicial law clerks who have served at the Court over the years.

Law clerks play a crucial role in assisting Supreme Court justices with legal research, case analysis, and the preparation of judgments. The reunion will provide an opportunity for past and present clerks to reconnect with each other and with past and present judges, share experiences, and reflect on their contributions to the Court’s legacy.

Two partners from Lerners LLP — Elizabeth Grace and Debbie Boswell — clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada. Debbie worked for Justice Karakatsanis in 2017-18, and Elizabeth for Chief Justice Lamer in 1993-94. Here they share their recollections.

Seated: the late Chief Justice of Canada, Antonio Lamer. Standing from left to right: the Hon. Thomas Cromwell (then chief executive officer to the Chief Justice), and law clerks Elizabeth Grace, Sébastien Grammond and Jocelyn Downie.

“I have fond memories of my year clerking for Chief Justice Lamer,” recalls Elizabeth. “At the time, Thomas Cromwell was his chief executive officer — he later became a judge of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and then of the Supreme Court of Canada. I and my fellow clerks, Jocelyn Downie — now Professor Downie at Schulich School of Law in Halifax — and Sébastien Grammond — now Justice Grammond with the Federal Court — all assisted the Chief Justice. He was a kindhearted and warm individual with a healthy sense of humour. I remember many lively discussions with him and my fellow clerks. I also learned firsthand about the heavy administrative load the Chief Justice of Canada carries. It was an eye opener for me.

“In 1993-94, there were renovations being done on the courthouse attic where the clerks were usually housed, so the year I was there, the clerks were temporarily housed in a nearby white clapboard two-storey building. I recall our quick wardrobe changes and, depending on the weather, donning of boots or grabbing of umbrellas when we were summoned — often on very short notice — to trundle outside and over to the courthouse to meet with our judges,” she adds.

“I enjoyed it most when I could be involved in an appeal from the time it was being prepared to be heard, to the actual hearing (which I always made a point of attending), to the release of the decision,” she explains.

“My decision to join what was then Lerners & Associates in 1994, after I completed my articles as a clerk, was very much informed by the excellent written and oral advocacy from Lerners that I observed during my year at the Court.”

Justice Karakatsanis (left), Debbie Boswell (right)

Debbie has similar, affectionate memories. “Clerking at the Supreme Court for Justice Karakatsanis was one of the highlights of my legal career,” she says. “Justice Karakatsanis is not only an excellent jurist, but a kind and thoughtful individual who takes a genuine interest in her clerks. I have many fond memories of sitting in Justice Karakatsanis’ chambers discussing cases or catching up over tea and scones.

“I was privileged to work alongside some wonderful other young lawyers from across Canada, and cannot be more excited to reconnect at the reunion,” says Debbie.

The event is expected to feature panel discussions, networking sessions, and historical retrospectives on the evolution of the law clerk program. It will also serve as a platform to celebrate the impact of clerks on Canadian jurisprudence and the broader legal community.

For more information, please contact:

Alysia Christiaen
Chief Brand & Strategy Officer
Lerners LLP
519.640.6344
achristiaen@lerners.ca