Legal leaders are ‘pulling our profession forward and encouraging us all to do better,’ says one judge
Nominations for the inaugural Canadian Law Awards have been arriving in huge numbers – and still remain open to those who have yet to take part.
The Canadian Law Awards continue Lexpert’s and Canadian Lawyer’s long-standing tradition of recognizing excellence in the legal profession. Supported by Women General Counsel Canada, this prestigious event aims to celebrate and recognize the very best of the Canadian legal profession.
Among the 30 categories are those focusing on in-house legal achievements over the past year, including:
- Banking & Financial Institutions Law Department of the Year
- Construction, Infrastructure & Transportation Law Department of the Year
- Energy & Resources Law Department of the Year
- Investment Bank Law Department of the Year
- Canadian Law Department of the Year
- Law Department Leader of the Year
- Law Department Innovation Award
"I’m very happy to be involved with the Canadian Law Awards,” said judge Cheryl Foy (Founder of Women General Counsel Canada and university secretary and general counsel at Ontario Tech University). “Lawyers play an important role as leaders in Canadian society. It is important to recognize those leaders among us who demonstrate excellence and who are pulling our profession forward and encouraging us all to do better – encouraging us all to adapt our practices to embrace positive social and technological change."
"The various legal industry awards are all great,” added fellow judge Yonni Fushman (EVP, CLO & secretary at Aecon Group Inc.), “but with the Canadian Law Awards I’m looking forward to seeing the industry’s most accomplished in-house lawyers, firm lawyers and deal-makers all gather together and celebrate each other’s efforts on the same stage."
Lorne O’Reilly, lead counsel at Dow Canada is also a member of the judging panel.
"It is an honour to participate in recognizing and valuing those chosen as a result of their successes, and I am particularly excited to see how in-house counsel continue to raise the bar in the unique aspects of their practice as well as general professional distinction,” said O’Reilly. “Having a combined event to celebrate in-house and general professional merit only increases the value and importance of what the nominees and winners have done."
Nominations can be submitted for all categories here.
Finalists will be announced in Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer in March. Winners will be announced at the black-tie gala event in Toronto on May 7 – and will also receive extensive profile-raising media coverage across Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer.
Readers with any questions about nominations – or those would like to enquire about booking for the gala itself – can get in touch at [email protected].