The Osgoode Hall Law School community is mourning the loss of Professor Alan Young, a distinguished legal scholar, advocate, and mentor, who passed away on December 7, 2024, at the age of 69. Known for his ground-breaking legal challenges and unwavering commitment to justice, Professor Young leaves behind a legacy that profoundly shaped Canadian law and inspired generations of students.
Dean Trevor Farrow shared the community’s grief, stating, “I write with the sad news that our former colleague Professor Alan Young died this weekend. Known and loved by many of our colleagues and generations of students, Alan was a trailblazer who made huge contributions not only to Osgoode, but to the law and legal profession in Canada.”
Professor Young’s remarkable career began with his graduation from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1981, followed by a clerkship with Chief Justice Bora Laskin at the Supreme Court of Canada. He earned his LLM from Harvard Law School before returning to Osgoode in 1986 as an Associate Professor.
As Co-Founder and Director of Osgoode’s Innocence Project, Professor Young led JD students in investigating wrongful convictions, cultivating a passion for justice that defined his life’s work. His small criminal law practice focused on challenging state authority to criminalise consensual activities, and his efforts led to ground-breaking legal reforms.
Among his most notable accomplishments was his involvement in Canada (AG) v. Bedford (2013 SCC 72), a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down Canada’s prostitution laws as unconstitutional. His advocacy for medical marijuana patients resulted in federal regulations permitting its medicinal use. Canadian Lawyer magazine recognised his contributions, naming him one of the “Top 25 Most Influential” in the justice system and legal profession multiple times.
Beyond the courtroom, Professor Young was a gifted teacher and mentor who left a profound mark on his students. Justice James Stribopoulos of the Superior Court of Justice reflected, “Alan Young changed my life. His passion for criminal law was infectious, and many caught the bug from him. There is a whole generation of leading criminal lawyers in Canada whose beginnings are traced directly to Alan. He was a mentor to so many of us, tireless in his support both before and after graduation.”
Alan Young was also an esteemed colleague. Adam Parachin, a former Osgoode student and current professor, shared, “Alan was brilliant and a ‘one of a kind’ character. His sharp wit made Criminal Law an early favourite of mine at Osgoode. Most importantly, Alan accepted me and helped me pursue a career in academia. I was blessed to have known him.”
A prolific advocate for justice, Professor Young’s work challenged societal norms and state authority. His 2003 book, Justice Defiled: Perverts, Potheads, Serial Killers and Lawyers, captured his incisive intellect and his commitment to using the law as a tool for positive social change.
Dean Farrow expressed condolences on behalf of the Osgoode community: “On behalf of the entire Osgoode community, I send our warmest wishes, support, and gratitude to Alan’s family.”
Professor Alan Young’s passing is a profound loss to the legal profession, but his legacy endures in the laws he helped reform and the lives of the students and colleagues he inspired.