Christopher Essert – a professor, legal scholar and theorist – has been appointed dean of the University of Toronto’s Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law.
A widely published researcher in private law, property and tort theory, as well as legal and political philosophy, Essert will serve in the role from Feb. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2030. His appointment was approved by U of T’s Governing Council on Wednesday following an extensive international search.
Essert says teaching at Jackman Law has been his “dream job” since he arrived at U of T as a law student 24 years ago. He sees his new role as a both an exciting opportunity and a tremendous responsibility.
“I am deeply passionate about this institution,” he says. “I’m hopeful that that passion will help me to guide the faculty as it continues to move from great to even greater.”
With a juris doctor (JD) degree from U of T and master of laws (LLM) and doctor of the science of law degrees (JSD) from Yale University, Essert joined U of T’s faculty in 2018 and served as associate dean of its JD program from 2020 to 2025. He has published more than 30 articles in journals including Philosophy & Public Affairs, Legal Theory, Law & Philosophy, Jurisprudence and the University of Toronto Law Journal. He has also edited two collections, authored the scholarly monograph Property Law in the Society of Equals and co-wrote Canada’s leading tort law textbook.
He is a member of the International Advisory Panel for the American Law Institute’s project on the Restatement of the Law (Fourth), Property and is a faculty affiliate at U of T’s School of Cities.
Trevor Young, U of T’s vice-president and provost, says Essert brings a strong combination of scholarly distinction and academic leadership to the role.
“Professor Essert demonstrates a deep understanding of the Jackman Faculty of Law and a clear sense of where it can go next,” Young says. “His commitment to innovative legal education and the future of the profession will be key to the faculty’s success in the years ahead.”
Essert succeeds University Professor Jutta Brunnée, who extended her term as dean by one month to support a smooth transition.
The appointment of Essert – who has also taught at Queen’s University Faculty of Law and has held visiting appointments at UCLA School of Law and Auckland Law School – comes at a pivotal time for U of T’s law school following a recent $80-million gift from Henry N.R. Jackman that aims to amplify the impact of the school’s faculty and students in Canada and around the world.
Essert says the moment presents an opportunity to carry forward the law school’s longstanding approach to legal education – which emphasizes teaching students not just the law, but how to think about the law and how to use the law to work with others to solve problems – while ushering in the next generation of legal minds.
“Our key strengths are our people,” he says. “The world is changing, and that will bring challenges. But as they always have been, our faculty and students will be the ones tackling those emerging challenges.”
