Cherrill Edwina Shea

UNB grants honorary doctorates to deserving individuals who exemplify those values cherished by its academic community.

Cherrill Edwina Shea will be awarded an honorary doctorate of laws by The University of New Brunswick (UNB) at the 43rd Fall Convocation Ceremony in Saint John on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

Cherrill Edwina Shea has dedicated her life to breaking barriers, advancing education, advocating human rights and civil liberties, and serving her community with distinction. Ms. Shea was born in Saint John and earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1972 from the University of New Brunswick (UNB). She was one of only five women in her law school class. She was called to the provincial bar as a barrister and solicitor in 1972 and, 50 years later, was designated as a Life Member of the Law Society of New Brunswick.

Ms. Shea began her legal career at a prominent law firm in Saint John (Stewart McKelvey) and quickly made a name for herself in litigation. Her career took her to New York City, where she worked at a firm (a predecessor of the current Dentons) and handled high-profile corporate cases and international disputes in London and Paris. Ms. Shea co-authored a pioneering multi-volume treatise on class actions and a monograph on utility deregulation in California.

Later, Ms. Shea transitioned into the telecommunications sector where she took on leadership roles in the emerging wireless telephone and mobile data industries and used her legal expertise to navigate this heavily regulated and evolving field in the United States, Europe, and Australia. She also co-founded a consulting firm focused on public safety communications.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Shea has been a passionate philanthropist and advocate for education and human rights. She has been funding major scholarships for nursing and health sciences students, as well as law students at UNB, for more than a decade. She has also made provisions to ensure these scholarships are established in perpetuity after her lifetime and to provide major support to UNB and UNB Law School. Her legacy of leadership, mentorship, and giving back exemplifies her commitment to building a stronger community.

Ms. Shea currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at UNB Law School. She received the UNB Alumni Award of Distinction in 2022. For her groundbreaking career, tireless support of education, and dedication to her province, Ms. Shea will be invested with the Order of New Brunswick, the province’s highest honour in November 2025.