As a member of the province’s bar, he has been an arbitrator, labour adjudicator, mediator
Patti McDougall – the University of Saskatchewan’s interim provost and vice president, academic – has announced that Professor Doug Surtees has accepted an appointment as interim dean of the University of Saskatchewan College of Law (USask Law) as of July 1.
“Building on the strong foundation within the College of Law, Professor Surtees is well-equipped to step into college leadership as interim dean,” McDougall said in the update.
McDougall noted that Surtees’ appointment aimed to address the law school’s need for stable leadership and support during the transition as the search for the next dean continued.
“I look forward to working closely with Professor Surtees as he assumes this important interim role,” McDougall said.
McDougall then expressed gratitude to Martin Phillipson, USask Law’s dean for the past decade, who would go on administrative leave this summer.
“During his decade of leadership as dean of the College of Law, Martin advanced the college’s reputation, impact, and national leadership in significant ways,” McDougall said.
According to McDougall, Phillipson helped USask Law navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, assisted with the delivery of the Nunavut Law Program, and served as president of the Council of Canadian Law Deans.
“Throughout his tenure, Dean Phillipson remained steadfast in his commitment to advancing the interests of students, the college, and the broader university, while fostering a strong and connected community within USask Law and beyond,” McDougall said.
More on Surtees
“With a teaching and research career that has spanned multiple colleges and post-secondary institutions, he has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to legal and professional education in Saskatchewan,” McDougall said in USask Law’s update.
After serving as a sessional lecturer and as a term appointee, Surtees joined the law school in 2005. As a certified educator, he has engaged in academic work encompassing elder, contract, and disability law.
His contributions have covered public legal education and dispute resolution. For instance, he acted as a co-director of the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan for more than a decade.
As a member of the Saskatchewan bar, Surtees has served as an arbitrator, labour adjudicator, and mediator. He has held leadership positions at Easter Seals Canada, the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, and other organizations.
From USask, Surtees earned all four of his degrees, including his LLM in 1994 and his LLB in 1987.
