Iris Barry Yake Memorial Robe Bank
Robes, waistcoats, and shirts are available to borrow from the Robe Bank located in the Calgary location of the Alberta Law Libraries. These items have been donated or purchased by members of the profession. To borrow the clothing, you will need to have an Alberta Law Libraries account. One can be created for you if you do not have one, and you can apply for a library account here.
Please treat the clothing gently. The items are in high demand and have been donated for everyone’s use. We ask that you kindly dry-clean and return the items promptly after you are finished using them.
Donations to the Calgary Robe Bank are organized by LEAD Alberta, an organization focused on promoting substantive and systemic equity in Alberta’s legal profession through advocacy, research, engagement and collaboration. LEAD members come from all areas and stages of legal practice, but share a vision of a profession that reflects the diversity of the society it serves.
Please contact Katrina Edgerton-McGhan (katrina.edgerton-mcghan@dlapiper.com) to donate robes or to make a financial contribution. Freshly dry-cleaned gowns and waistcoats can be dropped off at DLA Piper or the Alberta Law Libraries Calgary location.
About the Robe Bank
The Robe Bank is named in honour of Iris Barry Yake whose robes were the first robes donated to the Robe Bank. In April 1977, she passed her bar exam with a few months of articling behind her. She obtained robes in anticipation of her bar admission ceremony; however, she was too ill to attend. On January 12, 1978, at the age of 49, Ms. Barry Yake died of cancer. Though she never got to wear her robes in court, her legacy continues through the Robe Bank in Alberta more than 45 years after her passing.