Western Canada’s Premier Business Law Accelerator
Welcome to the Desautels Business Law Accelerator at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. As an accelerator, we fast-track the development of legal knowledge, practical skills, and innovative thinking in business law. Through experiential learning, research, and collaboration with community partners, we help future lawyers understand the business of law while fostering leadership, integrity, and economic growth across Manitoba and beyond.
OUR THREE
PILLARS
STUDENTS
We prepare future lawyers through real-world experiences—from the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic to case competitions and the Business Law Group.
SCHOLARS
We support cutting-edge research across business law, including labour, negotiation, technology, and AI, and we help scholars kickstart new projects and ideas that strengthen business law in Manitoba.
SUPPORT
We strengthen community networks through national competitions, major conferences, and partnerships that connect the Prairies with business law professionals across Canada.
NEWS
Crypto in the North: Should Manitoba Reopen Its Doors to Cryptocurrency Mining?
Written by Jayden Kyryluk, B.A., JD Candidate 2026 On April 15, 2024, the Manitoba government instructed Manitoba Hydro to maintain its moratorium on new or pending cryptocurrency (“crypto”) mining operations, set to expire on April 30, 2026.[1] The pause reflects...
Fitness Centres and Force Majeure Clauses
Written by Kaeten Wadwa Introduction In Niagara Falls Shopping Centre Inc. v. LAF Canada Company, the Ontario Court of Appeal considered the application of a force majeure clausein a commercial lease agreement between a landlord and a commercial tenant. The landlord,...
Third Annual Art Braid Business Law Case Competition: Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence in Business Law
Written by Law Student Kaeten Wadwa Photos by Law Student Katie McKenzie The Art Braid Competition honours the legacy of Edwin Arthur Braid, Q.C. (1934–2020), a beloved former Dean and Professor at Robson Hall, the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. Art was...
Desautels Centre Generously Sponsors Canadian National Negotiation Competition
March 15, 2025 — The Canadian National Negotiation Competition continues to be one of Canada's premier law student advocacy events. Nine years ago, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law hosted the inaugural competition at Robson Hall, helping establish a national...
Events
Canadian Academy of Legal Studies in Business
The Desautels Business Law Accelerator is pleased to support the Canadian Academy for Legal Studies in Business. The CALSB’s mission is to promote and encourage scholarship and superior teaching of business law in Canadian universities and colleges, to foster a better understanding between university and college administrators and those engaged in teaching and research in the field of business law, to develop and maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship among teachers and scholars in the area of business law and to encourage and promote high ethical standards in the conduct of business.
Ready to get involved?
Be part of Manitoba’s growing business law ecosystem.