Sossin, who most recently taught at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, will begin a five-year term on July 1, 2010.

Prior to joining the University of Toronto, where he served as associate dean in the Faculty of Law from 2004 to 2007, Sossin was a faculty member at Osgoode Hall Law School and an associate-in-law at Columbia Law School. He is also a former litigation lawyer with Borden & Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais) and a former law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

“I am so pleased that Professor Sossin has accepted our offer to become the next dean of Osgoode, and I’m very much looking forward to working with him,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “He brings many strengths that will help build York’s reputation and ensure that our students receive the best legal education in Canada.”

Sossin holds doctorates in law from Columbia University and in political science from the University of Toronto. His teaching interests span administrative law, public administration, professional regulation, civil litigation, ethics and professionalism and legal process. He received a 2008-2009 Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Award for Teaching Excellence.

"I'm thrilled to be coming home to Osgoode,” Sossin said. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students and alumni to further enhance Osgoode's leadership and innovation in legal education."

Shoukri also acknowledged the dedication of Osgoode’s interim dean, Jinyan Li.

“I’d like to thank Professor Li for her steady hand and leadership during this process,” Shoukri said.

Sossin will succeed former Osgoode Dean Patrick Monahan, who has taken on a new role as York’s vice-president academic & provost.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 Faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

-30-

Media contact:

Keith Marnoch, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 ext. 22091, marnoch@yorku.ca