Prof. Shannon O’Byrne had role in moving both the Faculty and the law forward

After playing an instrumental role in shaping the minds of students, Professor Shannon O’Byrne, ‘85 LLB, now takes up her status as professor emerita at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law.

“Professor O'Byrne has been an inspiring instructor to generations of students and a 'go-to' mentor for new faculty members,” says Dean Barbara Billingsley. “I am personally very grateful for the support and mentorship she has provided throughout my academic career.”

O’Byrne, an expert in contract law, corporations, remedies and corporate governance, taught at the Faculty for more than thirty years. 

While serving as the associate dean graduate studies and research, she was a considerable driving force behind securing approval for the Faculty’s PhD program in 2006, working closely with Dean Percy and the Graduate Studies committee.

In the classroom, O’Byrne’s teaching focused on the importance of collegiality, respect and working hard to understand law’s intricacies. 

“I have emphasized to my students how law remains largely constant but also amenable to change,” she says. “This is where advocacy can have significant impact, including in legal writing.”

O’Byrne has seen this impact firsthand. In 1996, she co-authored a law review article with her husband, James McGinnis, KC, '83 LLB, which was sharply critical of the Alberta Court of Appeal’s majority decision in Vriend v Alberta. 

“The Supreme Court of Canada reversed the appellate decision [in 1998], in part based on our article, but much more significantly based on the outstanding advocacy of lawyers such as Sheila Greckol [LLB '75] and Doug Stollery [CM, KC, '76 LLB, ’22 LLD]. They led a committed group of lawyers who worked tirelessly for such a result.”

This historic human rights achievement, a massive and lasting victory for gay rights, was marked recently with a 25th anniversary event, hosted by the Faculty of Law and student group OUTlaw.

O’Byrne’s teaching has left a deep impression on students. She has been recognized with the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the highest teaching honour at the U of A. She’s also the recipient of a Tevie Miller Teaching Excellence Award.

“My greatest memories relate to student camaraderie both in the classroom and on stage,” she says. “In particular, I recall the first Law Show (founded by Steve Blackman) with amazement.  [It] struck a chord amongst the student body and, of course, the audience, and has been an annual tradition ever since.”

Her retirement plans? “My plans are to stop rushing around as much as before and spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren,” she says.

Part of O’Byrne’s legacy is that her grandkids and their generation are now growing up in a legal world that is hopefully more just, more open to change when necessary and in the good hands of those she has taught.