U of S College of Law welcomes new Dean
By Katherine Blau The College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan is about to embark on a significant period in its history. Its new dean, Dr. Sanjeev Anand, begins his five-year term on July 1, 2011, at an exciting time as the college prepares for its centennial year in 2012.
By University CommunicationsSanjeev Anand, the new dean of the College of Law
"I am extremely honoured to be the new dean at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Law," Anand said. "The college is well-positioned to build on its many strengths, including its long tradition of providing exceptional legal education and the recent major renovation to the law building - providing the best teaching facility of any law school in the country. During my mandate, I hope to enhance experiential learning opportunities and ensure the best legal education in Canada is provided to the college's undergraduate law students. As well, we must grow the graduate studies program in a fashion that supports both the undergraduate program and the increasingly ambitious research objectives of faculty members."
As dean, Anand will also lead a variety of activities to mark the 100-year milestone, including a reunion celebration in Saskatoon, on October 6, 2012, providing graduates with the opportunity to renew ties with their alma mater and one another. Additionally, the college will begin its next 100 years during his term.
"Dr. Anand is a senior and widely acclaimed legal scholar who will provide strong academic leadership to faculty, staff, and students at this important point in the life of the law college," said Brett Fairbairn, provost and vice-president academic. "He will be taking the reins from acting dean Beth Bilson, who has provided wise and steady leadership at the college and initiated planning for its centennial during her one-year appointment."
Anand is currently a professor at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law. Before entering the academy in 1999, he was Appellate Counsel in the Criminal Appeals Division of the Alberta Department of Justice and prior to that was a Crown Prosecutor in Edmonton. He started his career as a legal aid staff lawyer whose practice primarily dealt with the defense of young offenders. He teaches and does research in five fields: substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, sentencing, evidence and constitutional law. He has authored more than 30 articles in a number of scholarly journals, and is the co-author of the 2007 book, Principles of Criminal Law (3rd ed.), and the 2009 book, Youth Criminal Justice Law (2nd ed.). His work has been cited by courts across the nation, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Anand is also a frequent media commentator on criminal and constitutional law issues. He has a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University; a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Alberta; and a Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) degree in law from Osgoode Hall.