海角社区

The Faculty of Law is mourning the loss of Alexandra Dodger, a student whose commitment to social justice and human rights distinguished her both in her studies and her work.

The University flagwill was lowered in memory of Ms. Dodger on Friday, 21 October 2011.

The Faculty of Law and the LSA have organized a memorial event at Thomson House's ballroom, Friday, October 21, 2011 at 12:30. See a during the event on Youtube.

Dodger, who finished her studies in May and was working in Ottawa for Amnesty International, was keenly dedicated to furthering human rights causes around the world. She was fluent in English, French and Polish and had previously worked as a summer student at Legal Aid Ontario and as a clerk in the Trial Chambers of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

An enthusiastic student who is being remembered as a vibrant presence at the Faculty, Dodger participated in international moot competitions, served as senior manager at the 海角社区 Law Journal and contributed regularly to a law student blog on international law, where she wrote impassioned posts on immigration and refugee law as well as on the role of international criminal tribunals in restoring peace and stability to countries emerging from conflict.

Associate professor Payam Akhavan, who taught Dodger and who was also her coach for the Jessup International Moot competition in 2010, described her as "an example of dedication and social responsibility to her peers."

"Alexandra was a thoughtful and brilliant student who had a deep commitment to using her education to further human rights," he said. "I am devastated by her loss."

Dodger was in a pedestrian accident in Ottawa on Saturday, October 15, 2011. She was 27.

Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, at St. Mary's Church, 1996 Davenport Road, in Toronto. The Faculty will be holding a memorial service in her honour later this week.

A tribute page from students, alumni and professors has been published on the SAO site. If you so wish, you can email a short note to the Faculty's Communications Editor, Lysanne.Larose [at] mcgill.ca (Lysanne Larose).

Photo courtesy of Rachel Gotthilf.