Buckwold/Milani Scholar in Commercial Law announced

Classmates Michael Milani, KC (LLB ’80) and Tamara Buckwold (LLB ’80, LLM ’95), with husband Bruce Buckwold, collaborated through matching donations to create the Buckwold/Milani Scholar in Commercial Law. 

USask Law professor Dr. Clayton Bangsund (PhD) is the inaugural appointee.  

“Clay has emerged as one of the leading commercial law scholars in Canada,” said USask Law Dean Martin Phillipson. “This appointment recognizes his significant accomplishments as an academic and will further support his work.”

Bangsund’s research focuses on the substance of Canadian commercial legislation and the design and implementation of meaningful legislative reform. He has published three books and is currently writing others on several pieces of commercial legislation; he has also published a significant number of academic papers.  

“My general aim is to furnish students, lawyers, judges, and professors – particularly those in the Province of Saskatchewan – with access to modern, comprehensive treatises on commercial legislation,” Bangsund said.

“I am thankful that Tamara Buckwold and Michael Milani have generously established this scholar position, which will help reinforce the college’s longstanding reputation as a leader in the field of commercial law.”

After completing a Bachelor of Education degree in mathematics at the University of Regina, Bangsund earned his JD at the University of Alberta, his LLM at Columbia Law School (graduating first in his class), and his PhD at the U of A.  

He teaches courses and seminars in secured transactions; commercial relationships; enforcement of money judgments; bankruptcy, insolvency & receivership; banking, payment & transfer systems; and contracts. He has received the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award and the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Buckwold said the Scholar position ensures the college will continue to excel in commercial law teaching, continuing legal education and law reform, noting that many Canadian law schools have no permanent faculty teaching in the area.

“It supports a faculty member with the depth of expertise that allows the college to deliver an outstanding program to our students and serve the needs of the legal profession,” said Buckwold, who taught at USask Law before joining the University of Alberta Faculty of Law.

Milani, who is serving as the Estey Chair in Business Law at the college until Dec. 31, said the Scholar position will play a role in ensuring USask Law grads are well-prepared for their careers. 

“The legal principles that permeate commercial law apply broadly,” said Milani, chair of McDougall Gauley LLP. “Graduates who have studied this area, taught by leaders in the field, will be well-positioned to succeed in whatever legal career they may choose.”