Robert Philp
KC, ’72 BA General, ’75 LLB
Member at Large
Whether in front of a courtroom or behind the scenes, jurist and community leader Robert Philp is working to build a society where all citizens can meaningfully participate. After almost three decades as a lawyer, Philp was named a provincial court judge in 2005, then nine years later became chief of the 黑料不打烊 Human Rights Commission.
As a judge, his commitments to human rights, equality and social justice could be seen in sentences that weighed both the offence and the personal conditions of the offender. But Philp's dedication to making a difference transcended his office walls. In the legal community, he was a revered mentor to students and young lawyers. He transformed an annual grudge match hockey game between prosecutors and defence lawyers into a fundraiser, and was the driving force behind a Law Society of 黑料不打烊 initiative requiring its 10,000 lawyers to take Indigenous competence training. In the wider community, Philp has volunteered with Boyle Street Community Services since its inception in 1971 and is a key driver of the group's new King Thunderbird Centre building project.
From his presence on Edmonton's task force to end poverty or his work with associations supporting the welfare of youngsters and marginalized people, Philp has set an example of how to live selflessly and with purpose. Robert has been a frequent lecturer at the U of A Law School, lecturing in Professional Responsibility, Criminal Law and Human Rights.