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Winnipeg Free Press: ‘Awkward to have a foot in both worlds’ Loyalty, potential conflicts called key issues when government backbencher is defence lawyer

September 20, 2024 —

There are risks associated with having a criminal defence lawyer on the government backbenches, says a law professor who co-authored a paper triggered by Fort Garry MLA Mark Wasyliw’s situation.

“He was definitely the inspiration for this,” said Brandon Trask, an assistant law professor at the University of Manitoba. His peer-reviewed “Role Call: Can a Backbench Legislator Practice as a Criminal Defence Lawyer? A Legal Ethics Analysis” appeared in the Manitoba Law Journal online before the NDP announced Monday it was dumping Wasyliw from its caucus.

Trask said NDP caucus chair Mike Moyes’ statement that day explaining that the lawyer was getting the boot because of his association with the lawyer for convicted sex offender Peter Nygard is “problematic” and “unfortunate.”

To read the full story, please visit the Winnipeg Free Press.

criminal law, Manitoba government, NDP government, Peter Nygard

Learning from professionals

On December 4 and 5, 2024, law students from the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre and the Criminal Law Group participated in the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba [CDLAM] annual conference. As a professional association representing the interests of Manitoba criminal defence lawyers, CDLAM brings together lawyers, law students and other justice system participants to reflect on the last year in criminal law, explore emerging issues, and call attention to the unique professional challenges of criminal defence lawyering.

Faculty of Law podcast studio first on Fort Garry Campus

The odd little table covered with monitors, bending arms and cables in the northwest corner of Robson Hall's MLT Aikins Classroom (room 206) is - a podcast studio. The only one of its kind thus far on the Fort Garry Campus, it is intended to be used by the Faculty of Law for a variety of innovative and dynamic teaching and learning situations. Added by MLT Aikins LLP as a continuation of upgrades the western Canadian law firm has sponsored in room 206 at Robson Hall, the studio was completed late fall, 2024.