Campaign Co-chair gives back to the Faculty of Law

In the 1950s, a young Yves Fortier of Quebec City chose to study law at McGill. At the time, it was a daring decision for a francophone, but the years that followed have proven the wisdom of his choice.

Today, L. Yves Fortier, CC, OQ, QC, BCL ’58, LLD ’05, is one of the premier international arbitrators in the world. He is Chairman and Senior Partner of the law firm Ogilvy Renault, and one of the three co-chairs for Campaign McGill. Fortier has served as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, and a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague Tribunal. As well, he is an ad hoc judge on the International Court of Justice and has served as President of the London Court of International Arbitration.

Now, to support law students who exhibit the same passion for bilingualism that he did as an aspiring young jurist, Fortier has created the most generous entrance scholarship ever to be awarded by McGill’s Faculty of Law. Fortier’s $200,000 endowed gift will fund the L. Yves Fortier Entrance Scholarship, which will be given to outstanding students entering fulltime studies at the Faculty of Law. Beginning in fall 2009, one recipient will be chosen each year based on their proven interest in and commitment to bilingualism.

Fortier has also created a $50,000 endowment to support the John E.C. Brierley Memorial Lectures. Named after a former professor and Dean of Law who worked in the area of arbitration, this lecture series was originally established in 2003, with Fortier as the inaugural speaker.

Laurel Baker

Un champion du don

www.lesaffaires.com – 1 décembre 2008

« … Toutes les causes sont bien fondées, reconnaît Yves Fortier. Toutefois, selon lui, “il n’existe qu’une seule façon d’attirer un leveur de fonds : il faut qu’il y croie”. Ainsi, cet avocat, diplômé de l’Université McGill en 1958, ne s’est pas fait prier pour s’engager dans la campagne de financement de son alma mater.

Depuis l’obtention de son diplôme, le lien a toujours été maintenu. En plus d’en être un des gouverneurs, il y a aussi enseigné. Lever des fonds était donc un juste retour du balancier. “J’ai accepté de solliciter des sociétés pour des millions de dollars parce que je connais cette université et que je peux en vanter les qualités”, souligne-t-il. »