Former U of M law dean ordered to pay university nearly $700K: Default judgment

University of Manitoba photographed on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

A former law dean at the University of Manitoba has been ordered to pay the university $679,269.98 following a lawsuit over alleged misappropriation of funds, according to a default judgment from the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba.

The lawsuit, filed by the University of Manitoba in August 2024, alleged that Jonathan Black-Branch “intentionally and maliciously perpetrated fraud” while employed with the university which “he attempted to conceal through fraud, deceit, or fraudulent misrepresentation.”

According to court documents, the default judgment was signed on the grounds that “no statement of defence has been filed.”

Black-Branch, who served as dean of the Faculty of Law from 2016 to 2020, is alleged to have misappropriated $518,722.35 toward professional development programs, including at Harvard University and on a Yale Global Executive Leadership Program, per the statement of claim.

He is also accused of using funds to pay for membership fees at the Manitoba Club and Oxford and Cambridge Club, meals, accommodation and telecommunication expenses, a donation to Yale University and providing financing for the Foundation of International Society of Law and Nuclear Disarmament per court documents.

The University of Manitoba’s statement of claim sought a judgment in the amount of $660,944.60.

The default judgment dated May 2, 2025 also orders Black-Branch to pay the university $3,180.03 in court costs and includes an interest rate on the amount owing of three per cent per year.

Former law dean’s whereabouts unknown

Court records indicate that “despite all reasonable efforts”, Black-Branch was unable to be served with the lawsuit in-person as his current address is unknown, prompting an associate judge in January 2025 to allow service of the statement of claim by email.

Black-Branch did not file a statement of defence and a lawyer is not listed as his representation on the court registry.

Black-Branch’s last known address was in Oxford, U.K., though court files indicate that he may be residing in Switzerland. The resident of Black-Branch’s last known address allegedly said that Black-Branch was leaving for Switzerland and a former neighbour claims that he called from a telephone number with a Swiss area code, according to an affidavit attached to the court filings.

Black-Branch’s employment with the University of Manitoba was terminated in July 2020 following a complaint that led to an investigation from the university’s Audit Services Department.

Changes to financial procedures implemented, says university

The University of Manitoba’s administration told CTV News in an email that additional measures have since been implemented to prevent fraud and financial irregularities, including a new university policy and procedure and a course on financial stewardship and ethical conduct.

The new training program is mandatory for deans, according to the university’s statement. Dean expenses are also analyzed on a quarterly basis.

In February 2024, the Law Society of Manitoba disbarred Black-Branch in the province after finding him guilty of professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a lawyer.

CTV News has reached out to Black-Branch for comment but has not heard back.