Lawyers Seek to Bar TMU Law Graduates Over Antisemitism Report
A group of lawyers has asked the Law Society of Ontario to consider a motion that could strip accreditation from Toronto Metropolitan University’s law school, citing a recent report on antisemitic incidents on campus.
Ten lawyers have submitted a motion to the Law Society of Ontario requesting that the accreditation of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law be withdrawn, basing their case on a report by former Justice Mary Lou Benotto that details antisemitic harassment on campus. The Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation is supporting the motion by asking the Law Society to waive its 40-day filing deadline and consider the issue at its September 16 Annual General Meeting.
The Benotto report alleges that Jewish students, faculty and staff face intimidation and fear, and that the university has not consistently enforced its anti-harassment policies. The lawyers contend that accrediting a law school that permits such an environment runs contrary to the public interest. The Law Society has responded that the motion arrived after the deadline, while a TMU-appointed task force chaired by former premier Bob Rae is expected to produce a follow-up review. Labour lawyer Howard Levitt and attorney Sam Goldstein have publicly criticized TMU’s handling of the report and called for immediate action.
Why it matters
Accreditation loss could prevent TMU law graduates from practicing in Ontario, affecting students and the legal profession.
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