Cross-Border Leader Top 10 Neil Gold's influence is profound at U. of Windsor and international institutions. Reasons Why Your Advisor Hasn't Called You. Bryan Gottlieb Special to the Jewish News A mid ongoing contract nego- tiations with his professors, University of Windsor Provost Neil Gold maintains the composure of a man used to finding himself embroiled in sometimes complicated matters. As the chief academic officer at Windsor's largest institution of higher learning, with 16,000 full-time gradu- ate and undergraduate students, Gold is essentially responsible for the opera- tional management of the university's various academic departments. With a vocal deliverance of the arche- typal scholar, Gold describes working to reach consensus almost like describing as an orchestra where all the instru- ments deserve to be heard. His mellow nature lends itself well to dispute reso- lution. It's that ability to listen, instruct and lead which has led him to consult with more than a dozen nations around the world regarding their judicial sys- tems and legal education institutions. "Most of my work has been in legal education, especially the preparation of lawyers and judges for their work. I have advised professional bodies and law schools in many places on curriculum reform:' he said. "I was an early expo- nent of mediation and have trained law- yers and judges in mediation in several countries!' Growing up in the Toronto suburb of Forest Hill Village, Gold said court room dramas influenced his decision to pursue law, perhaps to become the next Perry Mason, but also a desire to "help people accomplish their goals!' He made good on that promise a few years out of law school as the founding director of Legal Assistance of Windsor, a legal aid provider and site for clini- cal legal education to students and the public, operated by the University of Windsor's law faculty of which Gold was a member. After two years in Windsor, Gold joined the faculty at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Among the many interesting differences between the Canadian and U.S. legal systems is that, in Canada, you must apprentice at a law firm before you are eligible to join the bar association. So, while Gold was teaching future barristers the finer 10, Hasn't updated your contact information 9. Your account is down 8. Doesn't know what to say 7. Doesn't think about you until you call him 6. Too many papers on his desk 5. Afraid you'll ask him questions 4. Has other clients with more money 3, Doesn't have a new financial product to sell you yet 2. Is busy playing golf 1 Doesn't remember your name e. CitrinGrou 4 Expect More... 1248) 569-1100 www.CitrinGroup.com 29200 Southfield Rd, Suite 201A Southfield, MI 48076 Financial Advisor I Stocks I Bonds 401 k I IRA I Retirement 1419100 A42 October 9 • 2008 Zimbabwe. As a visitor or consultant to 25 universities and 15 quasi-governmental organizations, including the World Bank, New Zealand Law Society, the Barristers' Board in Western Australia and the Indian Law Institute in Delhi, among others, Gold has written reports in training lawyers and judges which have garnered him praise. "Some legal systems are inherently more litigious than others:' he said, adding that legal systems which "... promote useful and realistic settlement over unpredictable, non-tailored-to- (the)-individual-imposed solutions ..."tend to be more likely to prepare lawyers to find common ground rather than acrimonious stalemate. Neil Gold points of law, he too was an "articled student" at a British Columbia law firm in order to become eligible to practice in BC. At the same time, he helped found the Law Centre in Victoria, which was oper- ated collectively by Victoria University, the Legal Aid Society of British Columbia and Community Action Legal Assistance. He also took a leave of absence to direct BC's Bar Admission and Professional Legal Training program. He infused a core principle that would become the basis for reform to profes- sional practice preparation programs throughout the countries of the British Commonwealth. After three years, in 1985 Gold returned to the University of Windsor as a tenured professor and dean of the Law School's faculty. But within five years, he took another leave to found the law school at City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, now City University of Hong Kong. After spending three years in Hong Kong, Gold returned to Windsor and teaching. Given his expertise in man- agement structure and negotiation, it wasn't long before he was tapped to take on additional roles within the university's hierarchy, including his current position as provost and vice president, academic. Gold's theme of constructive interac- tion has been his guiding principle for schools and government advisory bod- ies around the world, from Australia to 'They Turn To Neil' In 2006, Gold was awarded the Law Society of Upper Canada's top honor, the Law Society Medal. A long-time colleague, Frank Borowicz, wrote in his support for Gold's nomination: "When judges in Ontario, British Columbia, the Maritimes and the Commonwealth want instruction in mediation, they turn to Neil!' Borowicz, who is now the governor of the Vancouver Board of Trade, recently said that Gold and he share many of the same ideals and that there is no finer tactician of the law than Gold. As part of the Detroit-Windsor commu- nity Gold is a huge proponent of a shared relationship, citing the cross-cultural and economic ties of the region. "We are part of the same industrial complex and network of allied businesses," he said. "Windsor supports the Detroit economy and vice versa. As a result, we are con- cerned with similar research and devel- opment issues that need addressing and solutions!" Gold and his wife, Mary, who is the associate dean of the University of Windsor's Law School, have been mar- ried 20 years. ❑ Name: Neil Gold Age: 62 Job: Provost and academic vice presi- dent, University of Winsor Education: B.A., 1967, York University; LL.B., 1970, University of Toronto: LL.M., 1975, York University. Family: Wife Mary; no children.