182 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 80 PART 2 MARCH 2022
torts. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, including the Journal of
Contemporary Roman-Dutch Law; Daleen notes her great affection for this
system of law, which was carried by Dutch colonists to southern Africa
(where it has mixed with strong traditions of English law) as well as Sri
Lanka and Guyana. It is logical and sophisticated, and provides general principles
from which solutions to new matters can be derived.
Daleen came to TRU Law after seeing a posting for the position of dean.
Recruiters had forwarded to her such postings before, from other law
schools, but she found this posting to be particularly intriguing: it related to
a school that was new enough for her to make a difference, and was in a
location where she could see her family living. She liked the prospect of
being able to contribute to and shape what was still a relatively young law
school. In her experience at longer-standing institutions, somewhat of a
“worn slipper” phenomenon developed: it does not occur to those who put
on the comfortable slippers that those slippers need a wash, or no longer
match the gown, or need to be patched.
Although very well travelled, Daleen had not previously been to Canada,
much less British Columbia. She travelled to Kamloops to be interviewed for
the position of dean in the winter of 2020. Given the weather, at first she
wondered if leaving the relative warmth of South Africa was such a good
idea after all. However, she was quickly reassured on meeting the tremendous
faculty and seeing the impressive foundations already laid at the
school.
On being hired as the new dean, Daleen faced the rather formidable
challenge later in 2020 not only of moving with her family across the world
to a new school, but also of doing so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daleen, her husband, their daughter and their dachshund quarantined in
Airbnb accommodation for two weeks on their arrival in Kamloops, but
were made very welcome by TRU faculty and staff who kindly delivered
food and treats to their door. The wider Kamloops community of students,
lawyers and others has also been warm in its reception of the family. After
just over a year, Daleen feels as though she has never lived anywhere other
than Kamloops.
Daleen appreciates the feedback that people passionate about the law
school provide to her. This has both cemented her connection to the community
and pointed out ways to further improve the school. Those providing
feedback include the graduates and current students who have already
helped develop the law school’s early path; Daleen is very impressed by the
fact students tried out what is still a new school rather than being bound to
law’s “brand loyal” tradition of attending institutions where family mem-