Before he launched his academic career and eventually became the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Robert Leckey, BCL/LLB’02, was a promising young student in McGill Law.
The recipient of an entrance scholarship, Leckey juggled classes, moot court competitions, and the McGill Law Journal, serving as editor-in-chief in his third year. He would go on to clerk for Justice Michel Bastarache at the Supreme Court of Canada, returning to Law as a member of the faculty in 2006. In addition to his current role as Dean, he is the Samuel Gale Chair, with publications and research on constitutional law, family law, and comparative law.
“McGill changed me in a way that I did not anticipate,” says Leckey. “It’s made a transformative impact on my life.”
That’s why when Leckey made his first will – while still in his 20s! – he included a legacy gift to McGill.
As a lawyer who specializes in family law, I’m aware that people don’t like to think ahead and aren’t great at planning. But it struck me as important to give back.
“Leaving a gift in my will to support educational institutions was an obvious choice to me, especially to those who’d provided me with scholarships and prizes. It’s a reflection of gratitude from a graduate who paid low tuition for a world-class legal education.”
Now that he’s Dean, Leckey sees the impact of giving first-hand. “McGill Law is ranked among the top 20 or top 30 best schools in the world. That’s extraordinary, because we’re operating with lower resources than many others on those lists. Philanthropy is doing a lot to make up that difference, and alumni generosity is key.”
Leckey has designated his gift to Law’s greatest needs. “I now know that undesignated gifts are very, very precious. They allow you to respond to unexpected opportunities. Those opportunities are sometimes unglamorous, but always useful to our academic mission.”
Although he pledged his legacy gift to McGill several years ago, the University was unaware of it until recently, when Leckey notified McGill of his intentions. As a result his gifts counts towards the 200 for 200 Legacy Challenge, which aims to secure 200 legacy gifts for McGill’s 200th anniversary. He’s the first Dean to meet the Challenge.
Surprise legacy gifts are more common than you might think. Susan Reid, director of Bequests and Planned Gifts, says that “for every gift McGill knows of, there are three others that we don’t. Notifying us ensures your intentions are realized, and allows McGill to thank you for your gift.”
“I hope [the Challenge] will make people realize that they’re not alone in thinking about this, and that others are doing it,” says Leckey. “There are all kinds of creative ways to take part, and I encourage alumni to do so.”
What will your legacy be?
McGill is celebrating its 200th anniversary with the goal of securing 200 legacy gifts. For more information, please contact us.
