The University of Manitoba campuses and research spaces are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene and Inuit, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Teaching Areas
Laurelle A. Harris, K.C. (she/her) is the inaugural Director of the Internationally Trained Lawyer Program, Equity and Transformation at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law. Laurelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Women’s Studies, History) and has undertaken graduate studies in Women’s Studies and Black Studies at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Harris earned her law degree in 2001 from Robson Hall and is an experienced litigator with formal training in mediation, arbitration and conflict resolution undertaken locally and at York University in Toronto, Ontario.
In addition to being a practicing litigator for her most of her career, Ms. Harris has wide-ranging expertise in areas of equitable organizational assessment and design, policy development and implementation, workplace investigations, system reviews, leadership development, and anti-racism education. Laurelle has been called upon to act as a subject matter expert in antiracism and equity, including with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, and led the Review into Systemic Racism and Oppression at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
In addition to her duties developing and administering the Internationally Trained Lawyer Program at the Faculty of Law, Ms. Harris advises the Dean of Law on all matters regarding institutional equity at the Faculty of Law. Ms. Harris’ work includes leading the implementation of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education, developing and teaching content relating to anti-racism, antisemitism and anti-Muslim discrimination, working to ensure that policies and processes at the Faculty of Law are applied fairly, leading the Accessibility Team supporting students with disabilities, and coaching staff and students on matters of anti-racism and equitable praxis.
Ms. Harris also serves as the Curriculum Lead for Professionalism, Advocacy and Anti-Racism at the Max Rady College of Medicine, where she leads the development of, and teaches, mandatory curriculum in antisemitism and anti-Muslim discrimination to medical students.
Ms. Harris serves as a director with the Manitoba Law Foundation and as a member of the Legal Aid Manitoba Advisory Committee. She was awarded the MBA’s Equality Award in 2022, in recognition of her demonstrated excellence in her efforts to promote equality in the legal profession and commitment to the law. Under her leadership, the Equality Section also received the 2024 Section Award for its outstanding contributions to the MBA. In 2023, she was appointed King’s Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of Manitoba for demonstrating outstanding practice, integrity, leadership, and excellence in the legal profession.
