The Pamela and Andrew Brands Scholarship in International Law

By Lisa Roberts

When Rebecca Critchley (MA’08) applied for the Pamela and Andrew Brands Scholarship in International Law in 2012, the first-year Dalhousie law student was hoping for a satisfying summer work experience. The scholarship funds a summer abroad, split between the London office of international firm Herbert Smith Freehills and a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the student’s choice. What Critchley didn’t anticipate was that her career track would be dramatically altered as a result.

Broadening horizons

Born in South Africa of British parents, Critchley was primed to seek out an opportunity out of Canada. “The whole reason I applied was because I wanted to go and work for the NGO for the summer,” says Critchley, who admits she was much less enthused at the thought of working with the prestigious seventh-largest firm in the world. “I thought ‘I’ll give the firm a try, but I know I don’t want to do corporate stuff.’ And I got put into financial regulation.” Which, it turns out, she loved.

After her three weeks in London, Critchley went to Togo, in West Africa, and spent five weeks working with a group that defends civil rights. She helped prepare a report to the United Nations on torture and also contributed to an environmental law database that the group will draw on in response to the growing mining industry.

Rebecca Critchley (far left) volunteering in Togo with an NGO

Career-shaping experience

Andrew Brands (LLB’79) could not be happier with the experience of the first recipient of his unique gift to the law school. Born out of a long discussion and, he admits, “probably too much wine,” with his wife, Pamela, the scholarship’s intent is to give a student “a mind-changing, career-changing event,” says Brands, a senior vice-president and general counsel for Great West Life.

Their gift – $12,000 a year for five years – allows a Dalhousie student to join dozens of mostly British students for a “vacation scheme” internship at Herbert Smith Freehills, which Brands hopes will increase Schulich School of Law’s profile internationally. “The NGO was Dean Kim Brooks’ idea, which I think is really cool because it makes the student an active participant rather than just a passive recipient,” says Brands.

Dean Brooks says the Pamela and Andrew Brands Scholarship in International Law is helpful to students in a different way than traditional awards because it funds exposure to a work experience they otherwise wouldn’t have.

Changing direction

And potentially to a career direction they wouldn’t otherwise have contemplated: Critchley has applied and been accepted for a two-year training contract with Herbert Smith to start immediately after she graduates from law school. “I will end up with English qualifications and will be practicing in the London office to begin with,” says Critchley, who says she looks forward to the day when Herbert Smith Freehills may open an office in Africa. “I would really like to be one of the first people that they send.”