Firms already asking for information on awards that recognizes legal talent across 23 categories
Already the excitement is building for the latest Canadian Law Awards, with law firms asking for information and details as the nominations process begins.
One of the questions that has come up so far is whether, in the deals categories, a deal can qualify for nomination if it was announced in 2022 but doesn’t close within the calendar year.
“The answer is no, it does not qualify,” says Tim Wilbur, Global Managing Editor of Lexpert, Canadian Lawyer and Law Times. “Deals must be closed in 2022.”
Nevertheless, there have been plenty of deals closed in 2022, and pro bono and diversity initiatives in 2022, all of which are eligible for award nominations.
“The breadth of initiatives across the legal profession is truly remarkable,” says Wilbur. “We encourage firms, in house departments and legal professionals to celebrate their many accomplishments.”
The calendar year rule also applies to the pro-bono initiative of the year category and the diversity initiative of the year category. The categories are open to any single initiative executed by a Canada-based law firm or law department between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.
Building on the success of the three previous events (virtual and in-person) since it was launched in 2020, the annual Canadian Law Awards celebrates the nation’s outstanding law firms, in-house legal teams, individuals, deals and cases in 2022.
The event hosted by Lexpert, and supported by Canadian Lawyer and InHouse, will acknowledge the legal profession’s achievements over the past year and recognize those who went above and beyond in their commitment and contributions to the sector. It’s the perfect chance to acknowledge great work and look to the future.
Nominations can be submitted for all categories on the Canadian Law Awards website with the call for submissions ending just before midnight on Feb. 3, 2023. Our external advisory panel of esteemed legal leaders will invest many hours reading the large volume of detailed submissions and casting their votes for those nominated. PwC – the official ballot accountants – will also verify the score tallies.
One of this year’s judges, Lynn Korbak, GC, and Corporate Secretary at Toromont Industries Ltd., expressed her excitement in participating this way: “I am honoured to be a judge for the 2023 Canadian Law Awards. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the talent, innovation and dedication of our legal community. “
Among the 23 categories are those focusing on the achievements of law firms over the past year, including:
- Capital Markets Deal of the Year
- Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year
- Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year
- M&A Deal of the Year
- Mid-Market Deal of the Year
- Commercial Litigation Team of the Year -
- Banking & Financial Services Law Department of the Year
- Construction, Infrastructure & Transportation Law Department of the Year
- Canadian Law Department of the Year
- Law Department Leader of the Year
- Law Department Innovation Award
- IP Boutique Law Firm
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year
- The LEAP Legal Software Award for Family Law Firm of the Year
- Boutique Law Firm of the Year
- Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm
- Regional Law Firm of the Year
- Litigator of the Year
- Managing Partner of the Year
- Pro Bono Initiative of the Year
- Diversity Initiative of the Year
- Female Trailblazer of the Year (In House Counsel/Private Practice)
- The Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future
Finalists will be announced as Excellence Awardees in Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer in March (non-deal categories) and April (deal-related categories). Winners will be announced at the black-tie gala event to be held in Toronto on May 11. The finalists and award winners will also receive extensive profile-raising media coverage across Lexpert, Canadian Lawyer and InHouse.
Confirmed sponsors for the awards so far include: event partner LEAP Legal Software (Canada); award sponsors Lexis Nexis, Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University and Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP; and media partners the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto and Women General Counsel of Canada.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected].
