Professor Dr. Claire Houston

Biography

Claire Houston is a distinguished faculty member at Western Law, having joined the institution in 2018. With an academic foundation that includes a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Trent University, a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University, and a Doctorate in Juridical Science from Harvard Law School, Professor Houston focuses her research on family law and children’s rights. Her scholarship is grounded in feminist legal theory, addressing issues like access to family justice and spousal support. Houston has received notable recognition for her teaching, including the Western Law Award for Teaching Excellence and the Marilyn Robinson Award for Excellence in Teaching. She has published extensively in prestigious journals such as the McGill Law Journal and the Canadian Journal of Family Law, and has received grants from various organizations, including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Furthermore, she is a co-editor of the widely used casebook "Family Law: Text, Cases, Materials & Notes." Professor Houston actively participates in judicial education and professional development for family lawyers, demonstrating her commitment to improving legal practice and education in Ontario.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards