Feb. 8, 2023

Scholarship renewal supports law students for years to come

$20K Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Entrance Scholarship celebrates scholars and community leaders
Kate Bartel on her graduation day at Queen's University
Kate Bartel

Bold. Approachable. Accomplished. Community-minded. These are just a few of the words that describe Calgary’s Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, a law firm with more than 115 years of history, experience, and legal practice leadership in our city.  

They are also words that describe the nine winners of the Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer Entrance Scholarship, given annually to a law student entering the JD (Juris Doctor) program at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law.  

From Robert Sevalrud, JD’17, the first winner in 2014, an engineering and MBA graduate who was involved with the United Way of Calgary and Area, Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta, and the Calgary Youth Science Fair, to Kate Bartel, our 2022 winner, who used a global pandemic to embrace a pivot and shift her focus from medicine to law.  

Stephen Armstrong

Stephen Armstrong was the 2015 BD&P Scholar.

One of the largest scholarships of its kind in Canada

Established in 2013, the Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Entrance Scholarship is a renewable entrance scholarship valued at $20,000 per year, one of the largest scholarships of its kind in Canada.

It is awarded to students with high academic standing in their undergraduate studies, and who demonstrate leadership in their communities. It is renewable for each year of the JD program based on maintained academic success throughout law school. 

"BD&P is thrilled to be supporting the next generation of big dreamers and leaders that will help shape Calgary in the coming years,” says Robyn Bews, chief business development officer for the law firm.

“We hope our contribution helps make it easier for these bright young minds to pursue their passion for the law — and our city.” 

The Faculty of Law and Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP are pleased to announce the renewal of the scholarship for an additional three years —until 2026 — providing an opportunity for more exceptional students to pursue their legal education without having to worry about costs.  

“It’s hard to fathom the sheer size and value of the scholarship and how much that means to be able to attend law school without debt, to be able to start a career without that burden,” said Bartel in a 2022 interview.  

Amanda Cha

Amanda Cha was the 2021 BD&P Scholar.

“I am excited by the continuing partnership with BD&P to identify and support exceptional law students,” says Catherine Valestuk, assistant dean of recruiting and admissions for the law school.

“BD&P’s commitment to innovation, excellence and community mirrors our own priorities and compliments our shared commitment to the Calgary legal market.” 

Past winners of the Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Entrance Scholarship 


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