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Ogilvy Renault lawyers and agents join forces to make historic contribution to Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

Leading Canadian law firm Ogilvy Renault LLP has partnered with its lawyers, agents and retired partners to collectively raise $1 million in support of ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's Faculty of Law. This major contribution to Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ will support two scholars in the field of international arbitration and commercial law, to be known as the Ogilvy Renault Faculty Scholars in Arbitration and Commercial Law.

Individual Ogilvy lawyers, agents, and retired partners from all cities, departments and levels of seniority have contributed to the cause – together raising more than $500,000. The $1-million gift includes $250,000 from the firm itself, as well as $250,000 from L. Yves Fortier, a Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Co-Chair, longstanding Chairman of Ogilvy Renault, graduate of the Faculty of Law, and leader in international arbitration law.

With offices across the country, the law firm of Ogilvy Renault is recognized as a leader in international arbitration and commercial law. The participation rate of ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ graduates in this fundraising effort was 84 per cent, and 89 per cent amongst graduates of ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ’s Faculty of Law. Ogilvy Renault lawyers have been instrumental in the success of Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ to date – one of the Campaign's lead gifts was a $5-million contribution from Ogilvy Renault Counsel and Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Co-Chair, Senator Michael Meighen, and his wife Kelly.

"Ogilvy Renault has a very important relationship with ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ and its law school. Our successful Ogilvy Renault Faculty Scholars fundraising campaign and the very important university-wide campaign leadership roles played by both Yves Fortier and Michael Meighen are a testament to the firm's longstanding commitment to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ," says Norman M. Steinberg, Chairman of the firm.

Last fall, a $3-million gift from aluminium giant Rio Tinto Alcan allowed the Faculty of Law to establish the L. Yves Fortier Chair in International Arbitration and International Commercial Law. Working with the appointee to the Fortier Chair, the new Ogilvy Renault Faculty Scholars will contribute to a critical mass of international arbitration and commercial law experts at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ.

"Ogilvy Renault is making one of the most substantial gifts to teaching and research at a Canadian law faculty ever," said Dean of Law Nicholas Kasirer. "The Faculty is immensely grateful to the firm, its partners, retired partners, associates and staff for its historic generosity in embracing this international and transsystemic project to support arbitration as an emerging field in the Faculty of Law. We share Ogilvy Renault's conviction that international arbitration and commercial law are critically important to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's future and the future influence of Canadian law around the world."

Students at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's Faculty of Law study in both French and English, and earn both civil and common law degrees, enabling them to pursue diverse careers in the law across Canada and around the world, and to develop a full understanding of the law unhindered by jurisdiction.

Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ: History in the Making was publicly launched in October 2007, seeking to raise the funds needed to attract and retain the world’s best students and faculty, increase access to quality education, and enhance ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's ability to address critical global challenges. To date, the Campaign has surpassed the $475-million mark, thanks to more than 67,600 donors worldwide.

For more information on Campaign ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ, please visit /campaign/

For more information on the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Faculty of Law, please visit /law/

For more information on Ogilvy Renault LLP, please visit