Recognized for his integrity and impassioned approach to the law, the Honourable Mr. Justice Ronald A. Skolrood (BA ’83) has made significant contributions to his profession, all the while giving back to his community through generous volunteerism. The University of Lethbridge Alumni Association is pleased to recognize Skolrood as the 2016 Alumnus of the Year.
Known as a contemplative and thoughtful jurist, concerned with principle and the way in which his work might promote the values of justice and fairness, Skolrood is well-respected by peers and colleagues from across the country. Skolrood spent the entirety of his practising life at Lawson Lundell LLP in Vancouver, British Columbia, and after a 25-year career practising law, was named to a position on the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2013.
Raised in Lethbridge, Skolrood graduated from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in 1979. He then attended the U of L where his father, Dr. Harold Skolrood, was a founding member of the Faculty of Education. While Skolrood worked toward his BA in English, he was involved in many extracurricular activities on campus. He played on the Pronghorns men’s volleyball team and was named the top scholastic athlete for one season, sat on the Students’ Union Executive Council as Vice President (Internal) and was a founding member of a university-based summer theatre group.
Over the years, Skolrood has put an emphasis on giving back to his community. He has shared his time generously through countless volunteer hours serving professional and community organizations alike. He has spent many years mentoring students and junior associates, and as a contributor to, board member and Chair of organizations including the British Columbia Law Institute, Canadian Bar Association, Law Society of British Columbia’s Special Compensation Fund Committee and British Columbia Civil Liberties Association among others. His dedication to serving and advancing the legal profession has been recognized with numerous awards including Mentor of the Year, the Lexpert Zenith Gold Award for pro bono contributions in Civil Liberties, and Best Lawyers: Employee Benefits Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver, and he was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2012.
Skolrood will be presented with the 2016 Alumnus of the Year award at the Let There Be Light Night Alumni Celebration on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 (7 p.m., Students’ Union Ballrooms), and recognized at Saturday’s Fall 2016 Convocation ceremony (10 a.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness Gymnasium).
