Experiential learning

Stefan Lewis receives Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence

a man in a suit holding a book sits at a desk seen through a beige office door frame.
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Stefan Lewis is the 2026 winner of the Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence. Photo by Stefan Lewis, Kodak Ultra Max 400 (film).
Stefan Lewis is the 2026 winner of the Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence. Photo by Stefan Lewis, Kodak Ultra Max 400 (film).
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
By

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law's Director of Clinics, Liz McCandless announced Wednesday, April 8, 2026, that Stefan Lewis (3L) was the recipient of the 2026 Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student Clinical Excellence. The award highlights the importance of experiential learning for law students and serves to encourage excellence in the practice of law.

“Stefan’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, commitment to access to justice, and dedication to clients were clearly demonstrated during his externship with Legal Aid Manitoba in Thompson,” said McCandless. “These qualities exemplify the spirit and purpose of this award.

Lewis completed the Faculty of Law’s Northern Externship during the fall term of his third year of law school from September to December of 2025 out of Legal Aid Manitoba’s Thompson Community Law Centre. His supervising Attorneys Ian McAmmond and Mario Santos nominated him for the award. “Stefan has made a measurable impact on the clients and communities we serve,” McAmmond said. “He treats everyone with respect and kindness regardless of their background. […] His work ethic is unimpeachable and his presence at our office made our lives easier.”

McAmmond added, “When it comes to professionalism and ethics Stefan showed a strong moral compass that translated into a deep appreciation for the importance of legal ethics.”

A person leans on a wheelchair ramp rail in front of the Ma-mow-we-tak friendship centre in Thompson, Manitoba
“This is my favorite spot in Thompson—a true home away from home,” Lewis wrote in a report about his Externship. “I spent a lot of time at the Ma-Mow-We Tak Friendship Centre, getting to know elders, doing arts and crafts, and even learning to knit. I also ate here many times a week, enjoying wholesome, Indigenous-focused cuisine.” Photo by Stefan Lewis.

"We are incredibly proud to present this year’s Wolseley Law LLP Award for Student  Clinical Excellence to Stefan Lewis,” said firm partner Leah Unruh. “Stefan's commitment to access to justice is exemplary, especially his willingness to embrace an intensive Northern externship with an open mind.

Wolseley Law LLP inaugurated the award in 2025. Founding partner Gerrit Theule [JD/15], himself an alum of Robson Hall who fully participated in clinical learning during his time here, maintains that “Clinical student participation embodies everything that I think that a modern lawyer should strive for, including furthering access to justice, taking steps towards advancing Reconciliation on behalf of the profession, and striving to continually learn ways to help members of the community.”

"The Director of Clinics’ office at Robson Hall further recognized the high calibre of candidates who were nominated for this award, each of whom demonstrated skill and commitment to their respective clinics. "It is wonderful to see how law students are making an impact in the community while gaining valuable practical skills," said McCandless.

The Faculty of Law currently offers a rich array of experiential learning opportunities to law students in all three years of study including:

Judge Shadowing
Introduction to Advocacy
Negotiations
Moot Court competitions
Court externships
Manitoba Justice externships
Indigenous Community Legal Clinic
Law Library Hub
Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund externship
National Council for Canadian Muslims externship
Legal Help Centre externship
L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic & Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts
Manitoba Law Reform Commission externship
Public Interest Law Centre externship
University of Manitoba Community Law Centre
International Human Rights Clinic Internship
Infojustice internship

Boilerplate: empowering learners

At UM, we encourage life-long curiosity while providing tools – inside and outside the classroom – to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Empowering learners is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.