Historical Photos

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  Osgoode Hall Law School Class of 1981

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  Osgoode Hall Law School Class of 1980

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  David Lepofsky ‘79 (1957 –)

  David Lepofsky is a blind lawyer and disability rights advocate. While an articling student, he was part of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind delegation, which appeared before the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution of Canada and helped to ensure the inclusion of disabled people under the equal rights provision of the Charter. As head of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee, Lepofsky also played a critical role in the passing of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2001) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (2005). Lepofsky has more recently become famous for his two cases against the Toronto Transit Commission, which have made it mandatory for all stops to be announced on subways, buses and streetcars. He has won numerous awards for his human rights work – which he does on a volunteer basis in addition to his work as a criminal lawyer – including the Order of Ontario as well as the Tom Marshall Award of Excellence for Public Sector Lawyers in 2008 and the Osgoode Alumni Gold Key Public Sector award in 2011.

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  Osgoode Hall Law School Class of 1979

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  1978 - Out at Osgoode

  A Gay Caucus is formed at the Law School to provide support for LGBT individuals. In response to the raiding of the Pink Triangle’s offices in Toronto and the charging of the editorial staff with the criminal charge of obscenity, the Gay Caucus displays copies of the Body Politic.

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  Osgoode Hall Law School Class of 1978

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  1977 - The Good Book

  Stanley Beck becomes Dean. Professor Peter Hogg writes Constitutional Law of Canada, the single-most cited book in the decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada. Can you spot the famous politician in this picture? (Hint: look at the bottom right corner).

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  Harry LaForme ’77 (1946-)

  Justice Harry S. LaForme is a member of the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation located in southern Ontario. He was born and raised on his reserve where his mother and some of his family continue to reside and remain active in that First Nation’s government. His early years were spent on a reserve in Hagersville, where his father, Maurice, and grandfather ,Sylvester, known as “Big Pat,” were chiefs. LaForme’s older brother, Bryan, holds that position today. Maurice moved the family to Buffalo, where Harry, who loved basketball, became involved in championing youth through coaching a local team. Harry went to technical school and became an engineer. LaForme graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1977 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1979. In 1991, he was appointed as Chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Land Claims. He taught the “Rights of Indigenous Peoples” law course at Osgoode in 1992 and 1993. LaForme was appointed to what is now the Superior Court of Ontario in 1994. He broke new ground by ruling in favour of legalizing same-sex marriage in 2002. He was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2004, becoming the first aboriginal person appointed to an appellate court in Canada.