Mary-Charlet Lathlin receives inaugural Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence

The Faculty of Law’s Director of Clinics, Elizabeth McCandless announced Thursday, April 10, 2025, that Mary-Charlet Lathlin (3L) was the recipient of the inaugural Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence. The award highlights the importance of experiential learning for law students and serves to encourage excellence in the practice of law.

“Wolseley Law is really happy to have the opportunity to inaugurate this award,” said Gerrit Theule [JD/15], founding partner at Wolseley Law, LLP. “Clinical student participation embodies everything that I think that a modern lawyer should strive for, including furthering access to justice, taking steps towards advancing Reconciliation on behalf of the profession, and striving to continually learn ways to help members of the community.”

Reflecting on his own experience as a student at Robson Hall, he added, “I wouldn’t be the lawyer that I am today – heck Wolseley Law wouldn’t even exist – without my experience at Legal Help Centre’s clinic. These clinical opportunities offered by Robson Hall aren’t only excellent learning opportunities, they’re also critical to serving immediate access to justice needs in the province, and to forming a better legal profession in the long run.”

McCandless said, “Mary-Charlet’s exceptional advocacy, leadership, and dedication to clients through UMCLC embody the spirit and purpose of this award. Her willingness to go above and beyond – not only for her clients but also in supporting her peers – demonstrates a deep commitment to clinical excellence.”

The Director’s office also recognized the high calibre of candidates who were nominated for this award, each of whom demonstrated skill and commitment to their respective clinics. “It is wonderful to see how law students are making an impact in the community while gaining valuable practical skills,” said McCandless.

Lathlin completed an externship with the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre (UMCLC), which is run in collaboration with Legal Aid Manitoba. She received nominations for the award from both UMCLC Director, Allison Fenske, and classmate Cody Buhay.

The Faculty of Law currently offers a rich array of experiential learning opportunities to law students in all three years of study including:

• Judge Shadowing (mandatory for 1Ls)
• Introduction to Advocacy (mandatory for 2Ls)
• Negotiations
• Moot Court competitions
• Department of Justice externship
• Indigenous Community Legal Clinic
• Law Library Hub – Civil Clinic
• Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund externship
• Legal Help Centre externship
• Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic
• Manitoba Law Reform Commission externship
• Public Interest Law Centre externship
• Rights Clinic at Robson Hall
• University of Manitoba Community Law Centre
• Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts

Story submitted by Faculty of Law.