Former Law Clerks Reflect on 150 years of the Supreme Court of Canada

Jun 12, 2025

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.”

Established in 1875, the Supreme Court is Canada’s final court of appeal, and the only bilingual and bijural apex court in the world. For a150 years, it 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 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, 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 and have some recollections to share.

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.

"Clerking at the Supreme Court for Justice Karakatsanis (left) was one of the highlights of my legal career. 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 Boswell (right).

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.

Update 06/23/2025 - Some photos from the Event: