Looking Forward by Looking Back

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, this book brings together a wealth of legal scholarship first presented at a conference in March 2025. At the time of its creation, the Faculty of Law reconceptualized legal education in Ontario and beyond. Looking Forward by Looking Back pays homage to the visions of key figures in the school’s history such as founding dean Cecil “Caesar” Augustus Wright, Katherine Swinton, and John Willis among many other leading lights within the faculty. Embarking on a journey of exploration and reflection, the contributors to this volume look forward by looking back at the transformation charted by the school and its faculty. The contributors depict how the examined scholars consistently developed approaches to legal and social issues that were not only innovative and influential when first introduced but that continue to be insightful and generative in our evolving world. Essential reading for law professors, practitioners, and students, Looking Forward by Looking Back calls attention to the rich history of legal wisdom that emerged from the Faculty of Law and its sustained impact.