Jack Graham KC, McInnes Cooper Board Chair and Partner, Appointed Chancellor of Cape Breton University
Published:
March 6, 2026
Nova Scotia, March 6, 2026 — McInnes Cooper is pleased to announce that Jack Graham KC, Board Chair and Partner, has been appointed Chancellor of Cape Breton University, effective May 2026.
The appointment recognizes Jack’s distinguished leadership, longstanding commitment to education, and significant contributions to the legal profession and the broader community. As Chancellor, he will serve as the ceremonial head of the University, preside over convocation ceremonies, and act as an ambassador for the institution locally, nationally, and internationally.
“It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Chancellor of Cape Breton University,” said Graham. “Cape Breton University plays an essential role in the economic, social and cultural development of Cape Breton and I look forward to supporting the University’s mission and celebrating the achievements of its faculty, students and graduates.”
In his role at McInnes Cooper, Graham serves as Board Chair and is a senior Partner in the firm’s Halifax office. He is widely recognized as a leading labour and employment lawyer in Canada, with extensive experience in employment litigation, labour arbitration, collective bargaining, labour relations, human rights, and workers’ compensation. He has been repeatedly recognized by Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers® Canada, and in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for excellence in his field.
Jack is also respected for his integrity, strategic leadership, and commitment to governance and public service. He has served in senior leadership roles on numerous regional, national, and international boards, including as Chair of the Board of Tennis Canada and as a long-serving member of the Board of the International Tennis Federation, where he currently chairs the Constitutional and Development Advisors Committees. Jack is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers, the leading management side labour and employment lawyers' organization in Canada. In 2017 he received the Heenan-Ross award for outstanding contributions to CACE.
“Jack’s appointment as Chancellor is a reflection of the leadership, professionalism, and community commitment he brings to everything he does,” said Kevin Kiley, Managing Partner at McInnes Cooper. “We are proud to see his contributions recognized in this way, and we know he will be an outstanding ambassador for Cape Breton University.”
In 2023, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Cape Breton University in recognition of his exceptional professional achievements and community leadership. He will serve as Chancellor while continuing his role at McInnes Cooper.
About McInnes Cooper
McInnes Cooper is a solutions‑driven Canadian law firm and member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms. Providing strategic counsel to industry‑leading clients from Canada and abroad, the firm has continued to thrive for over 160 years through its relentless focus on client success, talent engagement and innovation. A certified Great Place to Work™, McInnes Cooper has an integrated team of over 220 lawyers and 250 professional resources and offers clients a full range of legal services across seven offices in Charlottetown, Fredericton, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, St. John’s and Sydney. MC+ extends the firm’s offerings to include MC Advisory – an affiliated business offering complementary advisory services, MC Innovation – customized technological solutions for unique challenges, and MC Training – fixed‑fee training workshops to help organizations meet their legal responsibilities with confidence.
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