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The Bertha Wilson Honour Society was established in 2012 to recognize Schulich Law’s extraordinary alumni and showcase their geographic reach and contributions to law and society.

The Society is named for the Honourable Madam Justice Bertha Wilson (LLB ’57) – the first woman appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal and the first female Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

We are delighted to introduce this year’s Bertha Wilson Honour Society inductees.

The Honourable William Brent Cotter, KC (LLB ’74, LLM ’79)
Saskatchewan

Known to lead with kindness, humour, and a deep belief that law is not simply a profession, but a vehicle for serving others, Brent Cotter has inspired generations of students and colleagues as a teacher, mentor, scholar, and dean.

At Dalhousie, he played a vital role in clinical legal education through Dalhousie Legal Aid Service and served in key leadership roles, including associate dean and acting dean. Later, as dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, he oversaw a period of growth and renewal, building deep connections with the judiciary, the profession, and the community.

As one of Canada’s foremost voices in legal ethics, Cotter is often described as a founder of the field in this country. His teaching, scholarship, and leadership with the Canadian Association for Legal Ethics established a framework that has shaped how lawyers, judges, and law schools approach professional responsibility.

Cotter devoted more than a decade to public service in Saskatchewan, serving as Deputy Minister of Justice, Deputy Attorney General, and later in portfolios including Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and Municipal Affairs.

In 2020, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada for Saskatchewan, where he served until December 2024, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. As chair of the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and vice-chair of the Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest, Cotter also championed the creation of the Canada Disability Benefit, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at reducing poverty and promoting dignity for persons with disabilities. 

Karen Oldfield, KC (LLB '85)  
Nova Scotia

Karen Oldfield’s career is a story of leadership, transformation, and service to her province and her country. After beginning her career in private practice, she quickly transitioned into public life, serving as chief of staff to the Premier of Nova Scotia where she played a critical role in shaping public policy and guiding the work of government.

She went on to lead the Halifax Port Authority as president and CEO for nearly two decades, transforming the Port of Halifax into one of North America’s leading gateways for global trade, expanding its reach and capacity, driving economic growth, and strengthening both Halifax and Nova Scotia’s international reputations.

In 2021, Oldfield took on the challenge of becoming president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health at a time when the health system was under immense strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bringing her vision and determination, she worked tirelessly to modernize the system, improve access to care, and support health professionals and patients across the province.

Oldfield has served on numerous national and international boards, advised governments, and represented Canada on the global stage. She has championed innovation, inclusion, and fairness in every space she has entered, and has been a mentor and role model throughout her career, especially for women in law, business, and leadership. She empowers others by leading with courage, integrity, and a clear commitment to the public good.

The Honourable Judy White, KC (LLB '97) 
Newfoundland and Labrador

Judy White, Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador, has forged a remarkable path as a lawyer, public servant, and advocate. A proud Mi’kmaq woman from Flat Bay, she became the first Indigenous Senator from Newfoundland and Labrador and the first female Mi’kmaq appointed to the Senate of Canada – milestones that speak to both her trailblazing leadership and her deep commitment to Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

White’s career has been defined by service and advocacy. She has held senior roles with the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, where she advanced policies and programs rooted in equity and cultural respect.

Guided always by the principles of fairness, dignity, and justice, she has also contributed her expertise to boards and commissions, including the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Inuvialuit Arbitration Board.

White’s dedication has been recognized nationally with the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for advancing gender equality and the Gordon M. Stirling Distinguished Service Award for her work in human rights.

In the Senate, she has continued her lifelong commitment to advocacy, lending her voice to issues of reconciliation, equity, and inclusion. White has inspired the next generation of Indigenous leaders, showing what is possible through perseverance, vision, and commitment to community.