Ronald J. Downie

Ronald J. Downie, Q.C.

Doctor of Laws

Ronald Downie was admitted to the Bar in 1952 and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1967. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and founding chairman of the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia. He graduated from Saint Mary’s with a B.A. in 1948, from Dalhousie with an LL.B in 1951, and from Harvard University with an LL.M. in 1952.

Downie’s record of devoted public service includes acting as founding chairman of the Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Archdiocese of Halifax, and president of Saint Mary’s University Alumni Association, Dalhousie Law School Alumni Association, the Charitable Irish Society of Halifax, and the Halifax Club. He served on the Board of Directors of the Public Legal Education Society and on the Finance Committee of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation. In addition, he served on the Board of Governors of Saint Mary’s University from 1970 to 1979 and from 1982 to 1989, acting as Chairman from 1983 to 1989. All five of his children attended Saint Mary’s University.