Tickets are going fast for what is likely the largest gathering of Canada’s legal eagles this year
If you haven’t already booked your tickets for this year’s Canadian Law Awards gala set for May 11, you better get cracking. There’s still time, but you better hurry if you want to make sure that you’re not all dressed up with no place to go.
This is the fourth year for the law awards, which launched in 2020. But it’s only the second time it has been held as an in-person event, celebrating the best legal professionals, firms, in-house teams, deals and cases in Canada’s legal sector.
Here’s just a little taste of what at last year’s event, which had about 500 members of the legal profession and their guests turned out to be likely the largest gathering of lawyers in Canada last year.
Not only did last year’s attendees show up in their finest to enjoy cocktails and a meal, but they were also on hand to join Excellence Awardees – those who were earlier shortlisted in deal, case and non-deal categories – in finding out who came home the evening’s winners.
The shortlist is put together by Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer staff, using its research resources and relying on the expertise of members of Canada’s legal community. But the night’s winners are selected by an independent judging panel of senior legal leaders. Those who come home with a trophy will be featured in extensive profile-raising media coverage that includes the annual Lexpert Canadian Law Awards commemorative guide.
The gala will be at the Liberty Grand. Cocktails start at 6 pm, dinner and awards from 7:30 to 10:30 pm, and post-event fun from 10:30 pm to …. whenever!
There is also news of a new sponsor for one of the award categories - The Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year.
Says Marko Vesley, a litigation lawyer and marketing partner at Lawson Lundell says that among the reason why the firm is sponsoring the award is that it has “been privileged over many years to work with exceptional law department leaders across a variety of industries and sectors. The Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year celebrates the qualities, achievements and innovation a true leader has demonstrated within their organization.”
Asked about the qualities needed in a good department leader, Vesley says that a “good leader thinks critically and strategically – and most importantly, proactively – about their organization and its mission.”
In addition to being a good project manager and having the people skills and leadership qualities to succeed, a good department leader “also has the business acumen to understand their organization’s strengths and weaknesses and how they can help support or overcome them.”
Vesley notes honouring a leader in this field is important “not only as an occasion to celebrate his or her particular achievements but also to recognize a role model for others, especially those in the next generation.”
Finally, asked about the importance of members of the legal profession getting together at events such as the Canadian Law Awards, Vesley says “there is just no substitute for gathering in person to build and sustain the collegiality among members of the bar, which is vital for the legal profession. Occasions such as the CLA gala “bring people together, sustaining old connections and forging new ones.”
Other confirmed sponsors for the awards 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. PwC – the official ballot accountant – verifies the score tallies.
The shortlist of Excellence Awardees for non-deal and case categories were revealed in March and finalists for the deal categories (capital markets, infrastructure, insolvency and restructuring, mid-market transactions and M&A deal of the year) were unveiled April 19.
The deal finalists are also featured in the Lexpert Special Edition on Finance and M&A, published in the Globe and Mail and online on Lexpert.ca.
There are 23 award categories focusing on the achievements of lawyers and law firms over the past year.
- 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
- The Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Transportation Law Department of the Year
- The LexisNexis Canada Award for Canadian Law Department of the Year
- The Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year
- The Dye & Durham Award for Law Department Innovation
- 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
- The LexisNexis Canada Award for 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
Award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang will be acting as host for the evening. She has been covering North America’s top business stories for over 25 years and is currently the host of Taking Stock, a weekly national television news program airing on CTV.
Lang was previously an anchor for Bloomberg Television Canada’s Bloomberg North with Amanda Lang, and previously was the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s senior business correspondent on its flagship program, The National. Amanda also hosted The Exchange with Amanda Lang, a daily business program airing on CBC News Network, and The Lang and O’Leary Exchange, with Kevin O’Leary, before the pair co-hosted SqueezePlay, on BNN, for six years.
Music to get you off your feet and on the dance floor that evening will be provided by the Ascension Groove Band. Members of the band deliver high energy musical entertainment that will help you “rock the house.”
They band have performed on Broadway and have also played in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as on luxury cruise lines of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaska Panhandle.
Known for the authentic sounds of Motown, R&B, Soul Funk, Jazz and Rock, the band also performs in Italian and Spanish.
So don’t risk disappointment by not getting tickets in what is likely the most anticipated – and fun – event in the Canadian legal profession this year. Table reservations and tickets are going fast. Click here to register now.
