2.4 Faculty of Law Centres of Excellence
Robson Hall is home to two named research chairs. The Marcel Desautels Chair in Private Enterprise and the Law has a mandate to conduct research and provide education on issues of specific interest to the privately held or family owned businesses that are the engine of the Canadian economy. Whereas many business oriented programs in Law schools are directed towards the needs of larger, publicly traded national or transnational corporations, the Desautel Centre's focus is on the very different needs of smaller more closely held businesses. The Faculty of Law also operates a Small Business Law Clinic which is headed by a director who is assisted by volunteer mentors from the practising bar. The purpose of the clinic is to provide experience to second and third year Law students in assessing and analyzing the legal needs of small business owners and in preparing legal information useful to them. This gives the students hands-on experience in this important area of law practice. It also provides "clients" with background material informing them as to their legal needs which helps them in their dealings with their own lawyers. In 1999, the Faculty of Law established the Asper Chair of International Business and Trade Law. The Asper Chair sponsors a variety of research including bi-annual academic conferences in international business and trade law. An internship program allows up to four students a year to work with the Asper Chair and creates opportunities for students to advance their education, while gaining skills necessary to pursue careers in law or business with an international focus. Additionally, students involved in the Asper program have the opportunity to participate in international commercial dispute resolution competitions.
