Jan. 29, 2021

Two alumnae to receive Distinguished Service Awards

Susan Billington, QC and Jean Munn, QC are being recognized for their service by the Canadian Bar Association - Alberta Branch.

Throughout her career, Susan Billington, QC, LLB'85 has been passionate about advancing the causes of gender equality and diversity in the legal profession, and her work has led to the creation of policies around parental leave and respectful workplaces, and creation of the role of the Equity Ombudsperson at the Law Society. Susan is also passionate about advancing access to justice in our province. She sat on the Law Society Pro Bono Committee, which eventually led to the creation of Pro Bono Law Alberta where she served as the founding Executive Director. She is currently an Associate Professor and the Executive Director of Student Legal Assistance at the University of Calgary where she leads law students in providing pro bono legal services to the public.

Susan is the 2021 winner of the Service to the Profession Award.

Jean Munn, QC, LLB'88 is a long-time volunteer of Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG), where she has been volunteering since 1993 and has been named as the volunteer of the year twice. In her time at CLG, Jean took leadership of the immigration law clinic at the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Through her guidance and knowledge, she grew the clinic and its roster of volunteer lawyers to provide legal assistance to hundreds of clients per year. Her dedication to the clinic has also led to her acting as a mentor for many of the younger lawyers that have volunteered with her throughout the years. Her dedication to vulnerable populations extends to other organizations such as the Centre for Sexuality, where she sat on the board of directors and continues to provide pro bono legal services to this day.

Jean is the 2021 winner of the Pro Bono Legal Service Award.

See all the winners