Law Society Announces 2020 Viscount Bennett Scholarship Recipient

August 25, 2020

Congratulations Eric Wiebe

The Law Society of Alberta is pleased to congratulate Eric Wiebe, this year’s recipient of the Viscount Bennett Scholarship.

Eric completed his undergraduate degree at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Economics and Canadian Studies. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill’s Faculty of Law in December 2018.

After articling with Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, Eric was called to the Alberta Bar in May 2020 and secured a position with the firm as an associate.

During his time at McGill, Eric was also the managing editor of the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law, allowing him to further develop a keen interest in the intersection between corporate, energy and environmental law.

Now, expanding his education further, he has accepted a spot in the Master of Law and Finance program at the University of Oxford in England this fall. Once there, he hopes to delve deeper into examining corporate transactions in the context of evolving environmental regulatory frameworks.

The Viscount Bennett Scholarship brings him a lot closer to pursuing this passion.

“The program itself – and subsequently the funding to do it – provides me with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skill in order to actually effect change and provide quality service to clients in what I hope will be a long-term, successful career,” he says.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have gotten into schools like this in the past, but I’ve never had the opportunity to fund it. It’s cliché to say, but I am humbled and honoured by this award, and really do appreciate the opportunity this has given me. I don’t take it for granted.”

The Viscount Bennett Scholarship is funded through a trust established by the late Right Honourable Viscount Bennett. It was put in place to encourage a higher standard in legal education, offered to support those interested in pursuing post-graduate studies in law. This prestigious accolade is awarded to individuals with an exceptional academic record and a clear dedication to contribute to their community through the practice of law.