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This story originally appeared in the 2024 edition of Hearsay, the Schulich School of Law Alumni Magazine.

The Dalhousie Law Alumni Association (DLAA) Emerging Leader Impact Award was established this year to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of an alum who has graduated from the Schulich School of Law within the past decade.

Reflecting the law school’s commitment to fostering a community of excellence and inspiration, the new award honours a remarkable graduate who embodies the esteemed values of the Weldon Tradition of unselfish public service, seamlessly merging outstanding professional achievements with a significant commitment to the community.

The inaugural recipient, Emilie Coyle (’14), is described by her former classmates as “warm and welcoming, open and non-judgemental, a calm in the turbulent waters of legal education.”

Aaron Dewitt (’14), James Foy (’14), Caitlin Urquhart (’14) and Amanda Whitehead (’14), classmates of Coyle, nominated her. They believe she truly embodies the Weldon Tradition through her commitment to social justice and by living those values through her work, volunteerism and advocacy.

Coming to Schulich Law later in life with years of work experience and a young family, Coyle knew why she was at law school and what she was hoping to gain.

“Her leadership style is welcoming, open, caring and full of compassion,” they share. “In class, she was practical and never afraid to challenge conventional wisdom or the status quo, especially when she saw that it did not align with her moral compass or would further oppress or marginalize vulnerable communities.”

Her community building at Schulich Law resulted in her selection as valedictorian in 2014, where she delivered, in her nominators’ words, “a spoken word masterpiece we will never forget,” that can still be viewed on the law school’s YouTube channel today.

“Community involvement and community building are at the core of all of the work and volunteerism that I have been involved with over the years,” says Coyle. “What appeals to me about that work is the collective drive to create a world where everyone has what they need, and everyone can find their place.”

After graduating, Coyle articled and worked in private practice in Dartmouth, before moving to Ottawa with her family to join the YMCA-YWCA as senior director of newcomer services. Eventually, she moved on to the role of director of national programs at the Refugee Hub while also teaching refugee law at the University of Ottawa.

In addition to supporting refugees and newcomers, she has been a long-time ally and advocate of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In her volunteer work, she has supported several Rainbow Refugees, those fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender expression, and has spoken out against protests at drag story time in her neighbourhood.

“Emilie has a great skill for hard conversations, for holding people and institutions accountable with grace and for holding space for conflict and disagreement without ever losing sight of her values,” say her former classmates.

Her passion to give back led her to run for Ottawa City Council in 2018 and while she did not unseat the incumbent candidate, she raised awareness about many issues impacting vulnerable members of her community and inspired and energized new voters and volunteers.

Two years later she was selected as the executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS), replacing now-Senator Kim Pate (’84). In this role she demonstrated her skills as an advocate with numerous appearances before parliamentary committees, authoring articles in a variety of publications and sitting on many panel discussions on issues such as solitary confinement, bail reform, housing and the overrepresentation of Indigenous women in federal prisons.

“Emilie has proven that a law degree is not solely a gateway to the practice of law but can lead to the pursuit of a better world,” say her nominators. “She’s an inspiration to all who come to know her.”

Coyle is grateful to her classmates for the recognition. “This award is shared with them and with everyone who leads in their own big or small ways, as this world requires us all to work together.