USask Law gathers to celebrate $750,000 gift from McDougall Gauley LLP

Students and faculty from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Law, along with USask leaders, welcomed representatives from McDougall Gauley LLP to the college Monday to celebrate the firm’s recent $750,000 gift to USask Law.

The donation creates bursaries for students in need and provides long-term support for one of the college’s favourite traditions, the First-Year Welcoming Ceremony.

It also establishes scholarships for each of the 18 students selected yearly to serve on the editorial board of the college’s Saskatchewan Law Review, in recognition of their academic achievement.

Finally, instruction in business law at the college has been enhanced with a joint gift from McDougall Gauley LLP partner Michael Milani, KC (LLB’80) and classmate Tamara Buckwold (LLB’80, LLM’95), with husband Bruce Buckwold, to create the Buckwold/Milani Scholar in Commercial Law.

“We are deeply grateful to McDougall Gauley for investing in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan, and for recognizing how important it is to support students throughout their legal education journey,” said USask President Vince Bruni-Bossio.

“At its core, this partnership ensures students have the resources and experiences they need to succeed, and it opens doors that will strengthen the legal profession for generations to come, building on a strong history of excellence here at the USask College of Law.”

The donation was part of USask’s Be What the World Needs campaign, which wrapped up in June; it raised a total of $570,739,155.

Milani, who spoke on behalf of McDougall Gauley LLP at Monday’s event, said the firm felt that making a gift to the college was the right thing to do.

“In Saskatchewan, we need strong, homegrown legal talent. You wouldn’t think it matters (but) it does,” he said. “This is why we were really pleased to be able to support the college, so that individuals in government, business, and others will benefit from the legal services and trusted advice that people who trained in this college can bring.”

“The College of Law is a special place,” said Dean Martin Phillipson. “It transforms people's lives by providing them with an education, providing them with an understanding of their role in the building of this province and the maintenance of this province. And it's gifts like this from McDougall Gauley that reinforce that and make sure that we continue to do the work we've done for more than 114 years.”

Student Cedric Michelet, a current member of the Saskatchewan Law Review editorial board, spoke about the importance of financial support for students.

“The study of law, while rewarding, is a demanding and time-consuming endeavour. Scholarships help reduce financial stress during the school year, allowing students to dedicate more time and attention to their studies.”

The firm’s support of students, and the Law Review, provides meaningful impact, he said.

“These gifts show a deep commitment to student success and maintaining Saskatchewan’s reputation as a key voice in scholarly legal discussions. The College of Law and the province of Saskatchewan are in a better place because of it.”

Details of the gift are as follows:  

• $300,000 will establish an endowment to fund three bursaries for students in need, including one for a student who is a former police officer, or the child or grandchild of a police officer.
• $200,000 will provide support over 10 years for the College of Law First-Year Welcoming Ceremony, held every September on campus.
• $200,000 to support the Saskatchewan Law Review, including the creation of scholarships for its student editors. The legal journal is currently in its 88th year of publication, making it one of Canada’s oldest such publications. Its day-to-day operations are generously funded by the membership of the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
• $50,000 joint gift from partner Michael Milani, KC, and former professor Tamara Buckwold, supports the Buckwold/Milani Scholar position in the college.