Jim Phillips awarded Mundell Medal for Legal Writing
TORONTO -- Jim Phillips, who as a mentor “inspired a generation of legal academics,” has been awarded the Mundell Medal for Legal Writing.
Phillips, a law professor and legal historian at the University of Toronto, was presented the medal by Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General of Ontario.
“Jim has inspired a generation of legal academics through his own writing and by mentoring many legal writers across Canada,” said Meilleur as she presented the medal at a gala dinner April 24.
Phillips has written extensively in the field of legal history and is one of Canada’s leading legal historians.
He has written extensively in the field of legal history and particularly the history of criminal law in British North America/Canada. He is currently the editor-in-chief of the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History, which is devoted to the promotion of scholarship on the history of Canadian law.
Phillips obtained both his PhD in history and his law degree from Dalhousie University. He also clerked for former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Bertha Wilson.
“What makes his work stand up from the rest is the fact that he intends to explore new areas not previously considered, tells the human drama behind the law, and helps us reflect on what is distinctive about Canadian law,” said Meilleur.
“Jim’s work is described as riveting in content and remarkably wise in interpretation. His writing style is distinct and elegant.”
The medal was established in 1986 by former Attorney General Ian Scott to honour the late David Walter Mundell, a renowned constitutional lawyer and legal writer.
“I am particularly delighted to receive an award named after David Mundell,” said Phillips as he was presented the award.
Mundell was “a wonderful lawyer, a wonderful legal scholar, a wonderful legal writer, and somebody who really encapsulated the idea that the law is a learned profession and those of us in the profession and in the academy have a role to play,” Phillips said.
He also paid tribute to his fellow Canadian legal historians. “We are a small group but we are vibrant, and we are committed.”
"Professor Phillips has made a huge contribution to the development and appreciation of Canadian legal history in Canada,” said Warren Winkler, former Chief Justice of Ontario and chair of the Mundell selection committee.
"Professor Phillips has made a huge contribution to the development and appreciation of Canadian legal history in Canada. He is a master storyteller who brings the past to life.”
View the 2014 OBA Award Gala, photos and award presentations.