The partners of Bennett Jones LLP today announced a new contribution of $250,000 to the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law. The gift will be used to create a “smart classroom” in the Law Centre. Technology and furnishings will be upgraded to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Also, this contribution, together with additional commitments from individual partners, will allow Bennett Jones LLP to continue to support previously established entry scholarships, which will now be endowed.

“Bennett Jones is dedicated to supporting a culture of sustained professional and academic excellence," says James Heelan, Q.C., Managing Partner of the firm's Edmonton office. “This commitment and previous commitments from our firm will help ensure that the Faculty of Law continues to educate future leaders for the legal profession and society at large.”

Bennett Jones LLP also endowed a scholarship earlier this year in honour of former partner and current Alberta Court of Appeal Justice, The Honourable C.D. (Cliff) O'Brien, made possible through donations of $25,000 from the firm and the firm's litigation partners. This scholarship is awarded to a convocating student with superior academic achievement, outstanding advocacy abilities and leadership demonstrated through a significant contribution to the university's community.

“This donation from Bennett Jones LLP enables us to do two things: create a “smart classroom” with the latest technology, to improve the learning environment and provide additional scholarship support for our students,” says Dean of Law David Percy. “These are very high priorities for our Faculty of Law Campaign 2008, and we are extremely grateful for this most recent gift from one of our longstanding partners.”

The contribution made by Bennett Jones LLP will contribute to the University of Alberta's new Campaign 2008 fundraising goal of $500 million by the end of its centenary year of 2008.

About the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of the top 100 teaching and research universities in the world serving some 37,000 students with more than 11,000 faculty and staff. Founded a century ago, the university has an annual budget in excess of $1 billion and attracts more than $480 million in external research funding. It offers close to 400 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in 18 faculties.