Historical Testimonials — Criminal Lawyer Craig Penney

1995 Letter by H. Herskowitz, Winner of the Award of Excellence in Real Property Law for 2007, Toronto:  

I must tell you that from the very first time I heard you answer one of the questions I had posed to the real property law class at Osgoode, I knew instinctively that your future legal career would be marked with success and distinction, and I am exceedingly pleased to know that you’re well on your way.

1994 Letter by Patrick Monahan, now Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School:  

I am pleased to recommend Mr. Craig Penney. Mr. Penney worked for me for one year while he was a student at Osgoode Hall Law School. Mr. Penney took on the responsibility for directing a publications program at the law school. He was responsible for overseeing the work of a dozen other law students and for ensuring the proper publication of ten different studies. His work was outstanding. He was single-handedly able to put together a team of students and to bring the project through to a successful completion. I relied on him totally throughout the process and found him to be extremely responsible, diligent, and professional in all his dealings. I recommend him to you in the highest possible terms.

1987 Letter from Horace Davis, B.A.(Ed.), B.A., M.Ed., Vice-Principal:  

The following letter of appraisal is in support of the application by Craig Penney for a Rhodes Scholarship.

I have known Craig for the past seven years, three of which represent his final years of high school in the school in which I teach and of which I am the Vice-Principal. I taught him in several courses in Language, Literature, and Social Studies. I also had extensive contact with him on a daily basis as we worked together on various extra and co-curricular projects that were both school and community related.

In my twenty-two years as a high school and university teacher and as a school administrator, I have had extensive contact and involvement with thousands of students. In looking back over those years, I can think of only one or possibly two other students who even approximated the qualities as a student that Craig Penney possesses. Other teachers in my school share with me the opinion that Craig was one of a kind. His equal has not been seen before or since in this school.

It is difficult to categorize or list the qualities he possessed. He was one of those rare, well-rounded individuals who excelled in every aspect or endeavour. His influence and leadership were an inspiration to students and staff alike. The impression he made on the school, and his contribution to it, are still being felt years after he has left us. He was a natural leader but he was more than a leader. He was an inspiration to us all in that he would suggest a cause that he felt should be addressed and he had the ability to get the student body to rise to the challenge and see the task through to fruition.

During his stay at Inglis Memorial High School, he initiated and became involved in a great number of projects with positive benefits to the school and community. It might be a Variety Concert, a community clean-up campaign, or a fund-raising activity to purchase some item needed for the school.

Throughout his involvement, he remained non-assuming, and he sought no personal recognition, accolades, or publicity. His involvement demonstrated a genuine desire to do good and was never motivated by a desire for personal gain.

In looking at the four sets of desirable qualities noted by Cecil Rhodes, I shall briefly note their applicability to Craig.

1. Literary and Scholastic ability and attainments:  Craig was truly a scholar in high school. This scholarship was demonstrated as much by the questions he asked as by the answers he gave. He has an extremely alert and inquiring mind and his capacity to think and intellectualize was well beyond what would be expected of one of his age. His knowledge of community, national, and world affairs was the envy of many. He ranked at the very top academically at the school in every subject area. Immediately upon completion of high school he enrolled at a university in Ontario and I have no doubt that his university grades will attest to both his scholastic abilities as well as his ability to adjust to a new learning environment in a different province.

2. Qualities of truthfulness, courage, devotion to duty:  Again, it may be said that he epitomizes those qualities. I found his honesty, devotion to a cause, unselfishness, and fellowship to be impeccable. He had no enemies at school and all were his friends. He would see that the timid and withdrawn became involved in activities or group work in a confidence building manner. He always respected the abilities and talents of others, including the less able. He always saw a project thought to its successful conclusion, whether it was organizing a debate or an activity to aid the elderly in the community or simply decorating the auditorium for some social event. Students and teachers of the school felt good about themselves and their school, largely because of the recognition it was receiving, due, in no small way, to Craig’s efforts.

3. Exhibition of character, instincts to lead, and showing an interest in his contemporaries:  Here again, Craig was a master, a natural leader. He approached every situation in a calm, rational, confident manner. As student council president, he had the ability to defuse potential points of disagreement between school staff and students in such a manner that all were pleased with the outcome. He displayed impeccable manners and would never engage in any activity he felt to be unethical or immoral. He was not one to use questionable language and did not partake of drugs or alcohol. He respected the authority and position of others and would consult with, and seek the approval of, the school’s administration before undertaking some student activity. His strength of character served as a model which his peers emulated.

4. Physical Vigor:  The terms "work-a-holic" and "energy-plus" were but two of the many expressions applied to Craig. His drive, energy, and determination were remarkable. No task was too big or too time-consuming. As was noted earlier, he undertook projects at his own initiative and despite his busy schedule of extra and co-curricular activities, he maintained a flawless academic standing. He was excellent at discussing and debating issues and was equally at ease addressing the entire student body as he was in a one-on-one conversation.

To further attest to his initiative, it is perhaps worthy of note that he was continually winning media or magazine sponsored contests, trips abroad, and the like, and through such efforts he was largely able to finance his own way through school. I have reason to believe that this has continued through university with little or no financial help being asked or expected from family. That is the way Craig would want it, as he is not one to impose on others by asking for hand-outs or expecting financial help.

May I say in closing that I have, on one previous occasion, written in support of an applicant for a Rhodes Scholarship. While I felt that individual was a deserving applicant, I feel that Craig Penney, when his assets are examined individually and collectively, is far more deserving of such an award than any student with whom I have worked. He would be a credit to his province, his country, and to the family of Rhodes Scholars. There is no doubt in my mind that he is "going places" and I highly recommend him.

May I note, in conclusion, that the comments made above were not made in haste nor without due consideration. I have no personal axe to grind nor any vested interest in the individual in question. Any statements made herein, I genuinely feel to be true. I feel that should your committee see fit to grant Craig an interview you will find him to be the type of individual I have described.

Horace Davis, B.A.(Ed.), B.A., M.Ed