Surtees appointed interim dean

The announcement below was released June 22 by Patti McDougall, USask Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic:

“As the search for the next dean of USask Law actively continues in the weeks ahead, there is a need for support during the transition. I am pleased to share that Doug Surtees (LLB'87, LLM'94) has accepted the role of interim dean, effective July 1, 2026. Interim Dean Surtees will provide stable leadership until the next dean is appointed.

Building on the strong foundation within the College of Law, Professor Surtees is well-equipped to step into college leadership as interim dean. Doug has been a valued member of the College of Law since joining the faculty in 2005, following earlier contributions as a sessional lecturer and a term appointee. He is also a proud alum, having received all four of his degrees, including his legal education, from USask.

With a teaching and research career that has spanned multiple colleges and post-secondary institutions, he has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to legal and professional education in Saskatchewan. In addition to his academic work in elder, contract and disability law, Professor Surtees has made significant contributions to public legal education and dispute resolution. He served as co-director of the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan for more than a decade and has worked as an arbitrator, labour adjudicator, and mediator.

A member of the Saskatchewan bar and a certified educator, he brings a broad range of practical and professional expertise to his work. He has also shown exceptional dedication to community service and governance, holding leadership roles with organizations including Easter Seals Canada and the Saskatchewan Abilities Council.

I want to extend sincere gratitude to Dean Martin Phillipson, who will begin administrative leave this summer after serving as dean for the past decade. During his decade of leadership as dean of the College of Law, Martin advanced the college’s reputation, impact, and national leadership in significant ways.

He guided the college through complex challenges, including navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he ensured continuity of legal education while maintaining a strong focus on students, faculty, and community well-being. He is immensely proud to have been part of the successful delivery of the Nunavut Law Program, widely recognized as a transformative initiative and one of the most impactful post-secondary programs in Nunavut’s history.

Martin also demonstrated leadership at the national level through his service as president of the Council of Canadian Law Deans. Throughout his tenure, Dean Phillipson remained steadfast in his commitment to advancing the interests of students, the college, and the broader university, while fostering a strong and connected community within USask Law and beyond.

I would like to thank Dean Phillipson for his outstanding leadership and for his many contributions to the College of Law and the university. I look forward to working closely with Professor Surtees as he assumes this important interim role."