Cape Breton University is delighted to honour an outstanding, well respected, individual who has seen international recognition for both his work in the law profession and dedication to the world of professional tennis, Mr. Jack Graham.
Jack is a Senior Partner in Halifax and practices labour and employment law throughout Atlantic Canada. He has extensive experience in all areas of employment law including employment litigation, labour arbitration, collective bargaining, labour relations, human rights and workers compensation.
He has been recognized by Best LawyersTM in Canada and Lexpert as a leading labour and employment Law Practitioner since 2006. In both 2019 and 2020 Jack was named Labour and Employment Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax Best Lawyers® and was also repeatedly recommended in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory. He has also been ranked in the Chambers Canada 2023 Legal Rankings for Employment & Labour.
He is known for having outstanding strategic abilities and has represented clients in some of the most complex public and private sector labour matters in Atlantic Canada for many years.
Jack is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers and in 2017 he received the Heenan-Ross award for outstanding contributions to CACE.
Outside of the profession of law, Jack has been involved with the sport of tennis for many years. He is a Past Chair of the Board of Tennis Canada. Jack also serves on the Board of the International Tennis Federation.
He has chaired the ITF Constitutional Committee, which is responsible for governance and legal issues at the ITF, for the past 12 years.
Jack is also the Founder and Chair of the Board of the Atlantic Tennis Center.
In 2020 Jack was chosen to be inducted into the Tennis Canada Hall of Fame as a Builder. In 2012 and 2013 Jack’s contributions to tennis were also recognized by his induction into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and by receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for outstanding contribution to Canadian sport from the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Today, Cape Breton University confers the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on a leader who had excelled within two vastly different fields, law and professional tennis, yet has so done with dedication, professionalism and tenacity for both, Mr. Jack Graham.