Defy Gravity

Launched publicly in 2021, the Defy Gravity campaign will advance U of T's commitment to inclusive excellence and help bring together top minds from every conceivable background and discipline. It is the largest fundraising and alumni engagement initiative in Canadian history.

Lawyer and leaders for a changing world

Thank you to our most generous benefactors. This list reflects Defy Gravity campaign donations to date of $25,000 and above as of June 1, 2025.

Transformational Donors

The Honourable Henry "Hal" Newton Rowell Jackman

BA '53, JD '56, LLD '93, DHUML '11

Hal Jackman 's visionary giving of $100 million to the Faculty of Law has accelerated institutional excellence and academic success, while expanding the scope of student support to shape the future of legal education and its impact.

In celebration of Hal Jackman’s exceptional generosity, in 2016 we proudly honoured him as the namesake of our Jackman Law Building, and in 2026 – in recognition of one of the largest gifts ever made to a law school in Canada – the Faculty was renamed the “Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law”.

A distinguished alumnus, former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario (1991-1997), and Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Toronto, Hal’s commitment reflects a lifelong dedication to education, public service, and the university community.

David A. Asper, K.C.

LLM '07

In 2007, David A. Asper made what was then the largest individual donation in the history of the Faculty. With a total giving of $10 million, his gift established the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights and was critical to the success of the building campaign. His support continues to contribute to constitutional scholarship, research, and public engagement at the Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto.

Called to the bar in 1986, Mr. Asper demonstrated outstanding leadership as a defender of the rights and freedoms of the press and as an advocate for the wrongfully convicted before the Supreme Court of Canada. He completed a master’s degree in law at the University of Toronto in 2007. 

The Law Foundation of Ontario

Since 1974, the Law Foundation of Ontario has invested in initiatives that advance access to justice and strengthen legal education across the province.

With more than $10 million in support to the Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law, the Foundation has played a vital role in advancing scholarship, student experience, and public engagement. Its contributions have supported programs that expand access to legal education and services.

The Foundation’s support continues to enhance diversity in the legal profession and serve the legal needs of communities including through Indigenous legal education initiatives, student legal aid programs, and experiential learning opportunities with non-profit and community organizations.

A

  • Matthew Abbott
  • Elaine J. Adair
  • David G. Adams and Adelina Wong
  • Eric Adelson and Andrea Himel
  • Yousuf Aftab & Marjolaine Côté
  • Air Canada
  • Aird & Berlis LLP
  • Ben Alarie
  • Jonathan H. Anschell
  • Robert P. Armstrong
  • Sarah J. Armstrong
  • Stephen R. Ashbourne
  • David A. Asper, K.C.
  • Dany and Lisa Assaf
  • Astaphan Family and the late Kris Astaphan
  • Michelle C. Awad, K.C. 

B

  • James C. Baillie
  • Baker & McKenzie LLP
  • Ryan and Tanya Baker
  • Barreau du Quebec
  • Robert T. Bauer
  • Estate of Delores Beck
  • Bell Canada
  • Brent and Lynn Belzberg
  • Mirko Bibic
  • Monica Biringer and David Moritsugu
  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
  • Blaney McMurtry LLP
  • Robi and Ruth Blumenstein
  • BMO Financial Group
  • Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
  • Sarah M. Boulby
  • Walter M. and Lisa Balfour Bowen
  • Amy Bowlby (Carruthers)
  • Stephen Bowman and Elizabeth Koester
  • Catherine Branch and The Honourable Mr. Justice Ward Branch
  • Elizabeth E. Breen
  • Robert L. Brews
  • Rita and Charles Bronfman
  • Terry Burgoyne
  • Andrea L. Burke

C

  • Arnie Cader
  • John Adair Campion
  • Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)
  • Douglas A. Cannon
  • Corrado Cardarelli
  • Carpenters' Regional Council
  • Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP
  • The Catalyst Capital Group Inc.
  • Robert Centa
  • Chambre des notaires du Québec
  • Chateaux of Caledon Corporation
  • Kirby Chown
  • James R. Christie
  • Matt Cockburn and Sue Valencia
  • Alexandre Cohen
  • Dr. (h.c.) Francis Anthony Comper, C.M. 
  • Robert and Phyllis Couzin
  • Donald R. Crawshaw
  • R. Ian Crosbie
  • Cumming & Partners
  • Gordon A. M. Currie

D

  • Terence Dalgleish
  • Ronald J. Daniels and Joanne Rosen
  • Sachin A. Davé
  • Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
  • Virginia L. Davies
  • Sandra E. Dawe
  • Daniel Debow and Jordana Huber
  • Dentons Canada LLP
  • Julie Di Lorenzo
  • Frederick and Douglas Dickson Memorial Foundation
  • Nancy Diep and Simon Baines
  • DivorceMate Software Inc.
  • The late Edward L. Donegan
  • Donner Canadian Foundation
  • The late Jonathan Drance
  • The Estate of Charles and Anne Dubin

E

  • Estate of Margaret Jean Jaffrey Eccles
  • N. Murray Edwards
  • Steven Elliott, K.C.
  • H. Garfield Emerson
  • Michael R. Emory
  • Empire Company Ltd.
  • Epstein Cole LLP
  • Gloria Epstein
  • Joyce and the late Philip Epstein

F

  • The late Ronald J. Farano, Q.C
  • James M. Farley
  • Fasken LLP
  • Michael Fekete
  • Jay Feldman
  • Jonathan and Shlomit Feldman
  • Michael K. Feldman and Nanette Rosen
  • Andrew J. Foley and Anna M. Castelo
  • Sandra Forbes and Stephen Grant
  • Kevin A. Fougere
  • Jean Fraser and Tom Rahilly
  • Laura K. Fric
  • Dr. Peter C. Fritz

G

  • Patrick J. Garver
  • La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso
  • Genesys Capital Management
  • Gilbert's LLP
  • Peter E. Gilgan
  • David Glennie
  • Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc.
  • The Peter and Shelagh Godsoe Family Foundation
  • Goldblatt Partners LLP
  • Eric Golden and Tess DiPonio
  • The Wolfe & Millie Goodman Foundation
  • Goodmans LLP
  • The D. H. Gordon Foundation
  • Michael John Gough
  • Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
  • The Honourable Jerry S. Grafstein K.C. and the late Carole Grafstein O.C.
  • Laurence and Rebecca Grafstein
  • Catherine and the late William Graham
  • James Graner
  • The late Edward L. Greenspan
  • Harleen Grewal
  • Groia & Company Professional Corporation
  • George Grossman
  • Group of Gold Line

H

  • Hadley Family Foundation
  • Luc Haegemans
  • Roz and the late Ralph Halbert
  • Geoff R. Hall
  • Sana Halwani
  • The Harris-Taylor Family Foundation
  • Donald Stewart Harrison
  • David A. Hausman
  • Jonathan Hausman and Stacy Rosen
  • Sandra J. Hausman
  • Dan Hays
  • Andrew J. Heal and Monica Kowal
  • Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie
  • Jim Hildebrandt
  • Krista Hill and Linda Plumpton
  • James and Rebecca Hilton
  • Kate Hilton
  • Estate of Helen Rose Himmel
  • Jim Hinds
  • Gallant Ho Yiu-Tai
  • Michael S. Hong
  • Clay Horner
  • Joyce B. Houlden
  • Gregory J. Howard
  • Margot Howard
  • Pamela Huff
  • Martha Hundert and Jeremy Fraiberg
  • Robert P. Hutchison and Carolyn Kearns

I

  • Andrew Iacobucci
  • Edward Iacobucci
  • Frank and Nancy Iacobucci
  • Insolvency Institute of Canada
  • John E. Irving Family
  • Richard and Donna Ivey

J

  • Consuelo Jackman
  • Duncan Jackman
  • Hal Jackman Foundation
  • The Honourable Henry "Hal" N.R. Jackman
  • Henry J. D. Jackman
  • Victoria Jackman
  • Patricia D. S. Jackson
  • The late Karl Jaffary
  • Elton John AIDS Foundation

K

  • Fred Kan
  • The late Fred and May Karp
  • John Keefe 
  • Michael Kelly and Marisa Mills
  • Maureen Kempston Darkes
  • Melissa Kennedy
  • Laura E. King
  • Eliot and Carolyn Kolers
  • Koskie Minsky LLP
  • Michael Edward Kotrly
  • Malcolm Kronby
  • Cynthia Kuehl

L

  • The Lampe Family
  • John B. Laskin
  • Lijim Lau and Esther Wan
  • The Law Foundation of Ontario
  • Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP
  • D. Wendy Lee
  • Julie Yan-Ping Lee
  • Legal Aid Ontario
  • Allan Leibel
  • Signe Leisk
  • Lenczner Slaght LLP
  • Lerners LLP
  • Gillian Lester
  • Howard A. Levitt
  • Harriet I. Lewis and Eldon J. Bennett
  • LGBT Purge Fund
  • Fred Litwin
  • Brian W. Livingston
  • Jeffrey R. Lloyd
  • John G. Lorito
  • Norman and Gay Loveland
  • Larry Lowenstein and Nina Lester

M

  • Estate of Mairi Teresa Macdonald
  • Amy and John Macfarlane
  • Calvin G. MacPherson
  • Jack C. Major
  • Rocco and Jennifer Marcello
  • Doug Marshall
  • David and Leanne Matlow
  • Joseph Campbell McArthur
  • Margaret and Wallace McCain
  • McCarthy Tétrault LLP
  • Robert McComb
  • McMillan LLP
  • Michael McSorley
  • Anthony Meehan and Vithia Saing
  • Michael N. Melanson
  • Malcolm M. Mercer
  • Vincent Mercier and Kirsten Halpin
  • Jeffrey Merrick
  • Microsoft Canada
  • Miller Thomson LLP
  • Peter and Terry Milligan
  • Noella M. P. Milne
  • Steven Moate
  • Marcia T. Moffat
  • Alex Moore
  • Mayo Moran
  • Courtland and Lisa Morrice
  • F. Paul Morrison
  • Brian Mulroney
  • Chris Murray

N

  • Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

O

  • Bohdan S. Onyschuk, K.C.
  • William M.T. O'Reilly
  • W. Niels F. Ortved
  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
  • Kenneth G. Ottenbreit
  • Joseph J. Ovsenek

P

  • Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
  • Melinda Park
  • Rose M. Patten
  • Tracey-Anne Pearce
  • Smadar Peretz
  • John R. Pitfield
  • Priscilla Platt
  • Richard B. Potter
  • Karrin Powys-Lybbe
  • Yves Pratte Foundation
  • J. Robert S. Prichard and Ann E. Wilson
  • D. John Purcell

R

  • Brian Radnoff
  • Estate of Patricia A. Rae
  • Raymond James Ltd.
  • RBC Foundation
  • Anne L. Ristic
  • Estate of Edward M. Roberts
  • Robert A. Roberts
  • Stewart and Victoria Robertson
  • Thomas J. J. Rocchi
  • Estate of Clayton L. Rogers
  • Paul B. Rosen
  • Gloria Rosenberg and the late A. B. Rosenberg
  • The Rossy Foundation
  • Joanna Rotenberg and Andrew Armstrong
  • Linda Rothstein
  • Rotman Family
  • Royal Trust

S

  • Maureen J. Sabia
  • Estate of Ralph E. Scane
  • James Scarlett
  • The late Honey and Norman Schipper
  • The late Dr. Lionel and Carol Schipper
  • Rocco Schiralli
  • William J. Schnoor
  • C. John Schumacher
  • Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman
  • The Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Foundation
  • Scotiabank
  • The Seeman Family
  • Mitu Sengupta
  • Robert J. Sharpe
  • Richard Shaw and Mary Tansey Shaw
  • The Gerald Sheff Charitable Foundation
  • Ed Sheremeta and Jennifer Yang
  • Debra Shime
  • Jonathan Shime
  • Pamela Shime
  • Sandra Shime and Stuart Svonkin
  • The David and Judith Shore Foundation
  • Shulman & Partners LLP
  • Maureen Simpson and Almos Tassonyi
  • Jeffrey M. Singer
  • Pamela Singer
  • The late David W. Smith
  • Megan Hagarty Smith and Geoffrey Smith
  • Steven W. Smith
  • Sobeys Inc.
  • Robert Staley
  • Thomas G. Stemberg Charitable Foundation
  • Paul and Marni Stepak
  • Stikeman Elliott LLP
  • Stockwoods LLP
  • The late Lilly Offenbach Strauss
  • Sun Life Financial
  • Mark Surchin

T

  • Lisa Talbot
  • Mark H. Tan
  • Larry and Judy Tanenbaum
  • TEVA Canada Innovation
  • The late Joan Thompson
  • Thomson Reuters Corp.
  • Estate of Marjorie Thomson
  • Estate of Stewart A. Thomson
  • Craig C. Thorburn and Cynthia Caron Thorburn
  • Torkin Manes LLP
  • The late James M. Tory
  • The John A. Tory Family
  • Torys LLP
  • Jeffrey Trossman and Paula Hurwitz
  • True Justice for All Foundation
  • Roslyn M. Tsao
  • Carolyn Tuohy and The Walter and Mary Tuohy Foundation
  • David Tupper
  • Gregory G. Turnbull

U

  • University of Toronto Faculty Association

V

  • Les Viner and Wendy Bellack-Viner

W

  • Daphne E. M. Wagner
  • Quentin Wahl
  • Donald Ernest and Elizabeth Wakefield
  • Jennifer Warren and Mark Woolgar
  • The late Susan J. Weedon
  • WeirFoulds LLP
  • White & Case
  • The late Jack Whiteside
  • The late Peter Wilcox
  • J. Scott Wilkie
  • Andrew and Lisa Wiseman
  • Mark D. Wiseman
  • Harold J. Wolfe
  • Jeffrey Wolman
  • Cornell Wright
  • The late Nigel Wright

Y

  • Robert M. Yalden
  • Catherine Youdan

Z

  • Evgeny Zborovsky
  • Estate of Jacob S. Ziegel

  • David Zitzerman

    *Our many generous donors who wish to remain anonymous.