Justice Mustard's legacy empowers next generation of legal minds

Law grad Cole Bogdanovich and third-year student Gracie Boser are the first recipients of the William Mustard Prize in Wills and Estate Planning.

For law student Gracie Boser, receiving the William Mustard Prize meant more than financial relief — it sparked her best semester yet.

"It gave me freedom from financial stress and the ability to focus completely on my studies," says Boser, a third-year student pursuing tax law. "I could dedicate all my energy to academics, and the results showed immediately — I had my best semester ever after receiving the award."

Boser was chosen for one of two new prizes in wills and estates law funded by an endowment established by William Mustard, ‘51 LLB, a retired judge of the Alberta provincial court. The other winner is Cole Bogdanovich, ’24 JD, who received the award after graduating.

"These donor-funded awards take away that massive financial burden," says Bogdanovich, who is now articling at MLT Aikins. "My wife was supporting me throughout law school, so receiving this award was a huge help in relieving that stress."

Through Shape the Future, a fundraising campaign dedicated to student success, donors help strengthen experiential learning, enhance student spaces and expand access to scholarships and awards such as the Mustard Prizes that empower students to achieve their full potential.

The award's impact extends beyond financial support to inspire academic excellence. "Awards like this encourage students to try harder and excel more in their academics," says Boser. "It's really motivating to see your hard work being recognized and rewarded. When I see that kind of recognition, it pushes me to achieve even more."

Mustard established the endowment to strengthen estate planning education among new lawyers. Drawing from his 36-year career in real estate, banking and estates law before his judicial appointment, he saw an opportunity to help future generations of lawyers better serve their clients in this critical area of practice. His vision aligns with the Faculty of Law's growing focus on practical experience — something Mustard hopes will give students more hands-on learning than was available during his legal education.

This emphasis on experiential learning is exemplified by the faculty’s Low-Income Individuals and the Law program and its partnerships with the Edmonton Community Legal Center (ECLC) and three other local organizations. Outside of her class work, Boser volunteers with ECLC taking notes during client meetings to help provide legal advice to those who can't afford representation. Similarly, Bogdanovich helped organize the Sports Law Association, offering networking events and competitions to connect students with legal professionals.

"These awards allow you to have those opportunities as a student," says Bogdanovich. "You can dive deeper into your studies and get involved in the community. The Faculty of Law at U of A is known for its tight-knit community and collegiality between alumni and current students."

For Mustard, the students' appreciation validates the endowment's purpose. "The letters from the prize winners are heartwarming and very much appreciated," he says. "It is rewarding to see these funds at work, an acknowledgement well beyond my expectations."

Through Shape the Future, donors like Mustard are investing in more than financial support — they're creating opportunities for students to excel academically, engage with their community and carry forward a legacy of excellence in legal education.