A Passion for Public Law
Welcome to the University of Ottawa Public Law Centre, where a diverse and dedicated team of scholars, researchers, and legal professionals come together to advance the study and practice of public law. Our esteemed staff members bring a wealth of experience and expertise in various fields, including constitutional law, administrative law, human rights, and more. Committed to excellence in research, education, and advocacy, they work tirelessly to shape public policy, influence legal reform, and promote justice both nationally and internationally. We are proud to introduce our team, whose passion and dedication drive the mission of the Public Law Centre.
CO-DIRECTORS
Vanessa MacDonnell
Vanessa.MacDonnell@uottawa.ca
Associate Professor
Vanessa MacDonnell is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at uOttawa and Co-Director of the uOttawa Public Law Centre. Her research focuses on Canadian constitutional law, constitutional theory, comparative constitutional law, and criminal law. She is a Global Young Academy member and is completing a SSHRC-funded project on quasi-constitutional legislation. Vanessa holds a J.D. from the University of Toronto and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, and is pursuing doctoral studies at McGill University. She has served as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada and held various research fellowships globally. Vanessa teaches a range of law courses, including criminal law, constitutional law, and a seminar on the Supreme Court of Canada.
Sarah Berger Richardson
Sarah.Bergerrichardson@uottawa.ca
Associate Professor
Sarah Berger Richardson is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law (Civil Law Section) of the University of Ottawa where she teaches food law and policy, and administrative law. She is President and co-founder of the Canadian Association for Food Law and Policy and Co-Director of the University of Ottawa’s Public Law Centre. Her research focuses on the regulation of the agri-food sector, with an emphasis on animal agriculture and transitions towards sustainable food systems. She holds a Doctor of Civil Law from McGill University and completed her Masters of Law (LL.M) at Tel Aviv University, where she was a research fellow at the Manna Center in Food Safety and Security. In 2018-2019, she was a visiting teaching fellow at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. Previously, she served as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Israel and the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal. She is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
MEMBERS
VISITING SCHOLARS
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Latest Project
The uOttawa Public Law Centre has a rich history of hosting significant events that bring together leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss pressing issues in public law. Notably, the Centre organizes the Public Law Conference, a biennial event that explores contemporary challenges and developments in public law, fostering vibrant discussions and knowledge exchange. Additionally, the Interpretation Conference delves into the complexities of legal interpretation, examining theories and practices that shape the understanding and application of laws. These events highlight the Centre's commitment to advancing public law scholarship and fostering a collaborative academic environment.
Let's work together
Public Law Centre
57 Louis Pasteur
Ottawa, ON
K1N 6K5
E-mail: cdp-plc@uottawa.ca
