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The Schulich School of Law and the Dalhousie Law Alumni Association are proud to announce that Mark Knox, QC (LLB ’85) is the 2018 recipient of the Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service. Mark has a criminal, family, and civil litigation practice with offices in Halifax and Granville Ferry, N.S.

Since 1983, the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University has presented the Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service annually to an alumnus or alumna who has made outstanding contributions to the community and the legal profession on either a worldwide, national, provincial, or local setting.

“We have many deserving alumni for an award like this—alumni who are committed to serving their communities in myriad ways,” says Schulich School of Law Dean Camille Cameron. “That makes this a very competitive process. Mark’s commitments at the local and national levels to the legal profession, and in particular to the 7th Step Society, make him a worthy candidate for the Weldon Award. The letters of support reveal a compassionate, energetic, and inspirational volunteer, leader, and ally who has made a real difference in people’s lives.”

A long-time reintegration advocate

Mark came to Dalhousie Law School in 1982 from Southern California, attracted by the reputation, character, and faculty of Weldon. During his studies, he made many lasting relationships, two in particular: his life partner and “inspirational beacon,” Karen Hudson, QC (LLB '85) (Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Justice), and his best friend, Schulich School of Law Professor Archie Kaiser.

Mark’s commitments at the local and national levels to the legal profession, and in particular to the 7th Step Society, make him a worthy candidate for the Weldon Award. The letters of support reveal a compassionate, energetic, and inspirational volunteer, leader, and ally who has made a real difference in people’s lives. — Dean Camille Cameron

In 1985, Mark articled in Halifax in a small litigation-oriented firm before opening a solo office in 2008. His introduction to long-term volunteering began in 1988, when he became involved with 7th Step Society, an organization that helps repeat offenders change their behaviour and attitudes using a basic self-help philosophy. Today, Mark is the president and a director of 7th Step Canada and active with 7th Step Nova Scotia, where he is involved with prison projects, community groups, and presentations.

An ex-offender and 7th Step Society member wrote this in his letter nominating Mark for the Weldon Award: “Mark has put countless hours into drumming up new members, organizing different committees, meetings, and events, and reaching out to members. He has given me countless rides, taken me out for meals, and has come to special events in my life outside 7th Step. He taught and continues to teach us that we are all just people and that the most important thing in this life is to try and help one another. Mark has been an inspiration to myself and to many others.”

Among many other volunteer roles over the years, Mark is a member, past secretary, and currently the president of the Canadian Prison Law Association (CPLA), a national organization of practitioners, jurists, and academics dedicated to ensuring the rights of inmates and those under supervision.

“Mark’s selflessness toward his clients, the legal profession, and recidivist offenders comes naturally for him,” wrote Kaiser in his nomination letter. “There is not a scintilla of self-importance or entitlement, but there is extraordinary energy, purposefulness, groundedness, and caring.”