The Trent University Lawyers' Advisory Council provides guidance and support to Trent University regarding co-curricular, professional, and community initiatives related to the study of law. The Council is consulted about initiatives related to two main groups of students: 1) students in the Trent/Swansea Law Dual Degree program; and 2) pre-law students seeking to pursue law at a Canadian law school after they complete their undergraduate studies at Trent.
The Council is an advisory body and aims to provide a legal practitioner's perspective on the training, extra-curricular opportunities, and professional supports available to Trent students. The Council is consulted regarding the facilities and resources available to students at Traill College, the hub for law at Trent. Finally, Council Members are asked to support the development of a Trent community of law by facilitating connections with legal practitioners in the Peterborough community and beyond.
Council Members
Terrence B. Jackman '67
Member of the Trent class of '67. Following Trent studied law at the University of Toronto.
Terrence practiced law in Guelph, Ontario for 42 years, 15 of which included being the Area Director for Legal Aid Ontario for Wellington County. He currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Susan Brown '68
Susan joined Trent when Lady Eaton College opened in 1968. Awarded the First Year Politics Prize, she majored in Politics and in 1971 entered Osgoode Hall Law School.
Susan's career began with a well-known Toronto law firm until opening her own legal practice before moving to a major oil and gas company as in-house counsel to pursue her interest in business law and a new career direction focusing on the pivotal role of Canadian energy and natural resource sectors in Canada's economy and politics.
Susan worked in oil, mining and nuclear energy companies as legal advisor on major projects, working on projects across North America and in Africa and Europe.
To strengthen her contacts in the legal sector, Susan held volunteer and leadership roles in the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations and received the Governor General's Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation recognizing her service. She was active in the Junior Board of Trade early in her career to expand her business horizons and has volunteered with the United Way.
Murray Miskin '76
Miskin Law, Peterborough, ON
Murray Miskin came to Peterborough as a Trent Student at age 18 in 1973 and obtained a 3-year BA in Political Studies. While a Trent student he served on the University Senate and its Executive and as President of the Trent Student Union. Murray attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto graduating in 1979 and becoming an Ontario lawyer in 1981. Murray has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Bar Association and the Board of Governors of Trent. He was for a time Vice President of the Trent Alumni Association. He has practiced in many areas of law and currently manages the Miskin Law firm in Peterborough and lives on Stoney Lake. He has a son Daniel who is a lawyer in his firm and obtained his legal education at University of Southampton in the UK. Murray is a strong supporter of international legal education.
Peter Snell '87
Cassels LLP, Partner, Vancouver, BC
Peter Snell is a partner in the Franchise Group at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, assisting clients to expand their franchise businesses in Canada and around the world. With a unique blend of business law and intellectual property law experience, Peter is well positioned to address key intellectual property issues and incorporate them into successful strategic planning. Getting to know his clients and their business is fundamental to Peter’s approach, and his understanding of a client’s business risks and opportunities is a critical component of his effective expansion strategies. For his work, Peter is highly rated by the world’s leading franchise directories including Chambers, Lexpert, Lexology Index, and Best Lawyers in Canada.
Peter Lawless
LLF Lawyers, Partner, Peterborough, ON
Pete is a founding partner of LLF, and brings over 25 years of experience to the benefit of his clients. Pete’s practice focuses primarily on commercial real estate, where he provides advice on a wide range of matters, including subdivision and condominium developments, land use planning, commercial leases and joint ventures.
Pete is an active member in the Peterborough community, contributing significant time to community groups and charitable organizations.
Victoria Smith '24
Ward's Lawyers, Lindsay, ON
Victoria is a graduate of the Trent Swansea Law Dual Degree program. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2025, after completing her articling period at Wards Lawyers PC. She now works as an associate lawyer at Wards, specializing in litigation and employment law.
Eleanor Cook '25
Articling Student
EDH Law, Peterborough, ON
Trent Faculty, Staff, and Student Representatives