A word from Event Partner
Malcolm Muthulingum Chief Executive Officer LEAP Canada
Awards In Order of Presentation
2023 Sponsors
The Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future
Event Partner
Award Sponsors
Official Ballot Accountants
Organizer
more
Female Trailblazer of the Year (In-House Counsel)
Pro Bono Initiative of the Year
Banking & Financial Services Law Department of the Year
The LexisNexis 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
The LexisNexis Canada Award for Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Atlantic Canada
Diversity Initiative of the Year
IP Boutique Law Firm of the Year
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year
LEAP Legal Software is proud to be the Event Partner of the 2023 Canadian Law Awards. We are honoured to partner with Key Media in supporting this community, where the best achievements in the legal profession are recognized this evening. We are also privileged to present the new LEAP Legal Software Family Law Firm of the Year Award to a category of esteemed family law nominees whom we recognize for their vital contribution to society and celebrate their many successes and outstanding achievements. From around the globe, LEAP’s software technology and commitment to legal practice innovation serves markets in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. LEAP has been at the forefront of industry change for more than 30 years; we commit more than $20 million a year to research and development to support the software needs of law firms, so lawyers can improve their businesses and better serve their clients and communities. Here in Canada, we want to create an environment that fosters innovation and allows lawtech to thrive. Our recent acquisition of DivorceMate, Canada's Family Law Software Specialist, provides law professionals with critical tools needed to run their practices efficiently and successfully. Law firms using LEAP and DivorceMate Tools integration, enjoy the benefits of a complete solution for family law firms. LEAP is a cloud-based legal practice productivity solution that enables law firms to streamline their processes while increasing the firm's productivity and profits. For more information, visit leaplegalsoftware.ca
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
Sharon Haward-Laird
Nizam Hasham
Kath Hammond
Yonni Fushman
Paul Fruitman
Peter Feldberg
Innes Dey
Terrie Devonish
Vincent de l’Étoile
Jeff Davis
Bindu Cudjoe
George Cooper, KC
Jeffrey Cohen
Olivier Chouc
Lydia Bugden, KC
Mark T. Bennett
Stephen Beney
Jacqueline Beckles
Arif Ahmad
Jennifer Addison
Alison Harnick
Thank you to our esteemed judges for lending their time and expertise to help recognize and celebrate excellence in the legal profession.
2023 Judging Panel
LEAP is a cloud-based legal practice productivity solution that enables law firms to streamline their processes while increasing the firm’s productivity and profits. Law firms using LEAP software enjoy the benefits of a practice management system, legal accounting, document assembly and management, and legal publishing assets in one integrated solution. Website: leaplegalsoftware.ca
LexisNexis Legal & Professional® provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 10,500 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. Website: www.lexisnexis.ca
Award Sponsor
Kath Hammond Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Safety and Security Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Yonni Fushman Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Sustainability Northland Power Inc.
Paul Fruitman Partner Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP
Peter Feldberg Firm Managing Partner Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Innes Dey SVP, Legal & Strategy Definity Financial
Terrie Devonish Chief Legal Officer Altus Group
Vincent de l’Étoile Partner, Litigation Group; Member Board of Directors Langlois lawyers, LLP
Jeff Davis Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Bindu Cudjoe Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, and Vice President WGCC Laurentian Bank of Canada
George Cooper, KC Chief Executive Officer and Partner Cox & Palmer
Jeffrey Cohen Managing Partner Torkin Manes LLP
Olivier Chouc Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Law Canadian National Railway Company
Lydia Bugden, KC CEO & Managing Partner Stewart McKelvey
Mark T. Bennett Executive Chair Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Stephen Beney Managing Partner Bereskin & Parr LLP
Jacqueline Beckles General Counsel and CABL- Board Member Department of Justice Canada
Arif Ahmad Vice President, Corporate and Legal Affairs & General Counsel Re:Sound
Michael Ladha
Justin Kutyan
Arun Krishnamurti
James Kosa
Lynn Korbak
Kevin Kiley, KC
Jeffrey Jay Kay, KC
Rustam Juma
Philippe Johnson
Monique Jilesen
Dominique Hussey
Charles E. Hurdon
Gillian Hnatiw
Justin Kutyan National Leader and Senior Partner KPMG Law LLP
Arun Krishnamurti Counsel Google Canada
James Kosa Partner, Technology and IP WeirFoulds LLP
Lynn Korbak General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Toromont Industries Ltd
Kevin Kiley, KC Managing Partner McInnes Cooper
Jeffrey Jay Kay, KC Managing Partner Farris LLP
Rustam Juma General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Volkswagen and Audi Canada
Philippe Johnson Managing Partner, Montreal Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Monique Jilesen Managing Partner Lenczner Slaght
Dominique Hussey Vice Chair, Toronto Managing Partner Bennett Jones LLP
Gillian Hnatiw Principal at Gillian Hnatiw & Co., Past Chair of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
Sharon Haward-Laird General Counsel BMO Financial Group
Nizam Hasham AVP Securities & Assistant Corp. Secretary, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited
Alison Harnick Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary First Capital REIT And Board Member Women General Counsel Canada
Charles E. Hurdon Managing Partner – Canada Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Jennifer Addison SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary EPCOR Utilities Inc., WGCC- Prairies Chapter Lead
A word from our event partner
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
The LEAP Legal Software Award for Family Law Firm of the Year
Managing Partner of the Year
Litigator of the Year
The Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Transportation Law Department of the Year
Media Partners
Supporting Publications
Dale H. Lastman, C.M.
Benjamin Na
John G. Murphy
Blair McCreadie
Peter V. Nguyen
Steven Ngo
Kerry O’Reilly Wilks
Lorne O’Reilly
Kenneth R. Rosenstein
Karrin A. Powys-Lybbe
Heather Platt
Robert Piasentin
Poonam Puri
Clifford G. Proudfoot, KC
Emmanuel Pressman
Samir Sabharwal
Nathalie Rizcalla
Bruce Reynolds
Robert Seidel, KC
Melanie Schweizer
Thomas Santram
Lisa Skakun
Jeffrey Singer
Godyne N.L. Sibay
Bryson A. Stokes
Michael S. Slan
Andrea Wood
Yola Ventresca
Abigail Turner
The Lincoln Alexander School of Law is shaping the lawyers of tomorrow and reimagining legal education in pursuit of a more just society. Lincoln Alexander Law students are gaining professional experience beyond traditional legal contexts, enabling them to navigate diverse paths to practice, better serve their clients, expand the reach of justice, and innovate the legal profession itself. Website: www.torontomu.ca/law/
We are a preeminent Canadian construction and infrastructure law firm. Our peers and clients recognize our lawyers as the best in the construction industry. Over forty years of leadership in Canadian construction and infrastructure law is complemented by a broad offering of legal services in litigation and corporate transactions. Website: www.singleton.com
Lawson Lundell is a full-service business law firm in Western and Northern Canada known for its practical and strategic approach to legal and business problems. The Firm has more than 200 lawyers located in offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Yellowknife and Kelowna. Website: www.lawsonlundell.com
Michael Ladha Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Dale H. Lastman, C.M. Chair Goodmans LLP
Blair McCreadie Managing Partner, Toronto Dentons Canada LLP
John G. Murphy National Managing Partner & CEO Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Benjamin Na Partner and Head of the Advocacy Department, Toronto Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
Peter V. Nguyen SVP Legal, Associate General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary, and Founder GC Forum Descartes Systems Group)
Steven Ngo Counsel at Rivian, President at Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC
Kerry O’Reilly Wilks Chief Officer, Legal, Regulatory & External Affairs TransAlta Corporation
Lorne O’Reilly Lead Counsel, and VP & Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors- Alberta Chapter, Association of Corporate Counsel Dow Chemical Canada ULC
Kenneth R. Rosenstein Managing Partner, Toronto Miller Thomson LLP
Karrin A. Powys-Lybbe Partner Torys LLP
Heather Platt Chief Legal Officer Metrolinx
Robert Piasentin Partner, Technology McMillan LLP
Poonam Puri Professor of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School York University
Clifford G. Proudfoot, KC Managing Partner Lawson Lundell LLP
Emmanuel Pressman Chair, Corporate Department Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Samir Sabharwal General Counsel Alberta Securities Commission
Nathalie Rizcalla VP HR, Corporate and Legal Affairs Pelican International
Bruce Reynolds Co-Managing Partner and Co-Chair – International Construction Projects Group Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
Robert Seidel, KC Canada Managing Partner DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Melanie Schweizer Senior Vice-President Legal, General Counsel Bell Canada
Thomas Santram Senior Vice President, General Counsel Cineplex Entertainment
Lisa Skakun Chief Legal, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer Coast Capital Savings
Jeffrey Singer Chair of the Firm Stikeman Elliott LLP
Godyne N.L. Sibay Managing Partner, Ontario Region McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Bryson A. Stokes Firm Managing Partner Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Michael S. Slan Managing Partner Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
Andrea Wood Chief Legal and Governance Officer TELUS
Yola Ventresca Managing Partner Lerners LLP
Abigail Turner Partner Harper Grey LLP
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Ontario
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Prairies
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Quebec
Regional Law Firm of the Year - Western Canada
Female Trailblazer of the Year (Private Practice)
Presented By
We have a proud 110-year history of helping Canadian organizations thrive. Our 7,300+ partners and staff are located coast to coast and bring their expertise to provide quality services and products that help solve important problems. Our industry-focused professional services include audit and assurance, tax, deals and consulting targeting solutions for cybersecurity, privacy, financial crime, workforce of the future, finance transformation, value creation, strategic reassessment and cost optimization. We work as one firm to bring different perspectives and capabilities together to achieve what matters most. With offices in 155 countries and more than 284,000 people, we are among the leading professional services networks in the world. We deliver the best of our collective thinking, experience and solutions to build public trust and create value for our people, clients and communities. Website: www.pwc.com/ca/en.html
Official Ballot Acccountants
Dye & Durham provides premiere practice management solutions empowering legal professionals every day, delivers vital data insights to support critical corporate transactions and enables the essential payments infrastructure trusted by government and financial institutions. Website: www.dyedurham.ca
Photobooth Sponsor
McLeish Orlando Lawyers LLP is a personal injury boutique of experienced personal injury lawyers dedicated to representing people who have been seriously injured and family members who have lost a loved one through the negligence of others. Our lawyers have successfully represented people who have suffered brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and serious orthopaedic injuries. Our goals are to achieve a fair settlement and the best result possible for our clients while at the same time shielding them from the potential stress that comes with advancing claims with an insurance company. The firm was established in 1999 and is a recognized leader within personal injury and wrongful death law. The firm has a five out of five preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and the highest Lexpert ranking in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of “Most Consistently Recommended” (by other lawyers). Additionally, McLeish Orlando Lawyers LLP has been named by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the top ten personal injury law firms in their bi-annual ranking in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. In 2022, Canadian Lawyer Magazine named them a Top Personal Injury Boutique Website: mcleishorlando.com
Excellence Awardees for the Deal Awards categories will be announced on April 19 in the Lexpert Special Edition on Finance and M&A and on the event website
THURSDAY 11 MAY 2023 | LIBERTY GRAND, TORONTO
THURSDAY 11 MAY 2023 LIBERTY GRAND, TORONTO
Commemorative Guide
deserving luminaries and achievers across 28 categories. As Clifford Proudfoot of Lawson Lundell LLP, sponsor of Law Department Leader of the Year award, put it: “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 this gala bring people together, sustaining old connections and forging new ones.” Collin Smith, director of marketing at LexisNexis Canada, said the firm is proud to be a sponsor “as this aligns with our corporate values, including support for the Rule of Law.” The awards also promote innovation, “a key part of our strategy which underlines everything we do.” “We’re in the relationship business” The awards started with Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP taking home the Boutique Law Firm of the Year award. In accepting the award, Craig Rix, the firm’s managing partner, paid tribute to the lawyers and staff he works with and the clients. “We’re in the relationship business, partnering with our clients to solve complex problems. And the joy that we have is getting to know these organizations and the people who lead them.” Smart and Biggar won the IP Boutique Law Firm of the Year award. “Throughout the last several years, our firm has done a great job of pulling together as a team,” said principal Patrick Roszell. It was a sentiment shared by his colleague Graham Hood: “It’s a tremendous honour, and we share this with all of our team members in our five offices across the country.” Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP walked off with the LexisNexis Canada Award for Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm. Al Hounsell, director of strategic innovation and legal design, said working with his team and firm employees was key to developing legal tech tools at the firm. “I think we collaborated amongst different stakeholders, and we were able to give multiple groups a voice and pull in the right resources to make everything work out.” Next up was the legal team at Metrolinx, which won the Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Award for Construction, Infrastructure, and Transportation Law Department of the Year. “This is recognition of the work of our incredible team,” said Heather Platt, chief legal officer for Metrolinx. “It also recognizes the importance of this capital program for the region.” Singleton Reynold’s Sharon Vogel said, as the sponsor of the award, her firm is “proud to support and celebrate outstanding legal teams in construction, infrastructure, and transportation.” The honours for the award for Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year went to the teams at Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, DAVIES, Eversheds-Sutherland (UK), McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and McMillan LLP for the GoTransit Corridor expansion project. Doug Sanders, a BLG partner on the legal team representing Alstom Transport, said: “For such a complex project, we all had to make sure that it was functional and worked for our client for the long term, as well as everyone else involved.” The Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year award went to the legal talent that stickhandled the complicated and successful restructuring of shoe retailer Aldo Group. Aldo relied on the counsel of the legal team at DAVIES. McCarthy Tétrault acted for the court-appointed monitor, Martin Rosenthal of EY. Stikeman Elliott LLP was counsel for creditor National Bank. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP represented certain landlords of Aldo locations, and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada represented those involved in the exit financing for client CIBC. The main reason Aldo’s restructuring was so successful, Rosenthal said, is “because of the collaboration of all the people around the table.” Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, with a 20-plus lawyer team led by Jon Conlin, and Stikemans, led by John Leopold, won for the firms’ roles in Harbourfront Wealth Management’s purchase by Boston-based Audax Private Equity. HSBC won the award for Banking and Financial Services Law Department of the Year. General counsel Lilac Bosma said she was “so proud and excited” with how her team dealt with a year that involved transition with the pending sale to RBC. “It required a lot of agility and support for our business partners.” The trophy for Commercial Litigation Team of the Year was awarded to the legal talent behind Commissioner of Competition v. Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, which dealt with the legal complications arising from the ultimately successful merger of the telecom giants. DAVIES, Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gotlieb LLP, and Bennett Jones LLP shared the honours. The “pros” of pro bono For Pro Bono Initiative of the Year, the top honours went to Dentons Canada LLP for their work on the 30 Birds Foundation project, which helped 450 Afghan refugees – primarily schoolgirls – resettle in Canada. “I think we had so much to learn from the girls,” said Kenda Shaheen, who shared the honours with managing partner Tim Haney and lawyer Dina Awad. “After a number of them were resettled, we invited them to the firm for International Women’s Day to address the crowd. It really helped us see International Women’s Day in an intersectional way and not take things for granted.” Haney also took to the stage to accept the Managing Partner of the Year award. Access Pro Bono BC won the Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future. Donna Young, dean of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University, presented the award. She said the school wanted to sponsor an award that reflected “the pillars on which the school was founded: equity, diversity, and inclusion; technology; and access to justice.” Access Pro Bono Society of BC also won the Diversity Initiative of the Year for its Everyone Legal Clinic, which provides low-cost legal services, virtual and in person, across the province with the help of supervised articling students. Roger Chouinard of Quadreal Realty Group won the Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year. He said: “It’s great to have the recognition of the legal community for the work that we do. It’s an award for me and for my team.” As the sponsor of the award, Lawson Lundell’s Proudfoot said the firm has been “privileged over many years to work with exceptional law department leaders across a variety of industries and sectors.” EY Canada accepted the Dye & Durham Award for Law Department Innovation. To get the most out of her team members in the legal department at EY Canada, chief legal counsel Shara Roy said leadership helped guide the legal department to a place where people see a career path for themselves. “How are each of our people going to put in the extra effort? How are they going to dig deep? How are they going to put in what’s needed to transform a legal department?” Matt Proud, chief executive officer of award sponsor Dye & Durham, said: “Digital transformation is critical for the advancement of the legal profession in Canada and is central to everything that we do at Dye & Durham. It was an honour for us to help recognize the impressive innovation and modernization that is taking place in legal departments and law firms across the country.” Monique Jilesen of Lenczner Slaght LLP walked off the podium as Litigator of the Year. “It was fun to win and to reflect on all the fun and excitement I had last year,” said Jilesen, who worked for class action plaintiffs in securing a Mareva injunction freezing about $20 million in crowdfunding and crypto donated to the Freedom Convoy in early 2022. Lenczner Slaght also won the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year award, with firm partner Matt Lerner paying tribute to “an amazing group of people that work so well together – competitors that want to win and do the best that we can for our clients.” Malcolm Muthulingum, CEO of LEAP Legal Software Canada, presented the LEAP Legal Software Award for Family Law Firm of the Year, won by McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP. As the award sponsor in one of the fastest-growing areas of law, Muthulingum said: “It’s amazing celebrating the achievements of all these top lawyers in their fields. It’s fantastic to get out and let them know the good job that they’re doing.” Regional firm winners Honours were also given to regional law firms across Canada. WeirFoulds LLP won for Ontario, the second year in a row. Co-managing partner Denise Baker attributed the repeat win to her team, which she described as “very collegial,” dedicated, and hard-working. McInnes Cooper won the award for Atlantic Regional Firm of the Year. Partners Gregory Connors and Melanie Comstock came from St. John’s and Halifax to accept the award. Said Connors: “We don’t know the people here as well as some of the others, but it is very gratifying to be acknowledged with such an esteemed group.” Montreal’s Gerry Apostolatos accepted the Regional Law Firm of the Year for Quebec award on behalf of Langlois Lawyers LLP. “I think what we did this year is that we worked together as a team to bring it over the top.” Rounding out the regional awards were Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP for the Prairies and Lawson Lundell LLP for Western Canada. Pam Hrick, the executive director and general counsel at the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), accepted the LexisNexis Canada Award for Canadian Law Department of the Year award on behalf of her team. She said she “counts herself lucky” to work with the “dedicated, passionate, talented, and thoughtful team” devoted to gender equality. As for Female Trailblazers of the Year, Terrie-Lynne Devonish of Altus Group Limited took home the prize in the in-house category, while Alicia Quesnel of Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP claimed the honour for private practice. Quesnel said the award “was very unexpected,” while Devonish noted her “challenge” was to bring others into the legal profession who may have not had the opportunity before. Capping off the night on a deals high note Two more awards in the deals categories capped off the evening. The Capital Markets Deal of the Year was for Rogers Communications’ completion of the largest corporate bond offering in Canadian corporate history to finance its recent acquisition of Shaw. DAVIES acted as chief counsel to Rogers, and Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP represented initial purchasers. Patricia Olasker, a senior partner at DAVIES, accepted the award on behalf of the firm. She noted that dealing with current market challenges makes winning the CLA prize “all the more meaningful.” Finally, the M&A Deal of the Year prize was given for Rio Tinto’s $4 billion acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources. The deal received a lot of attention in the legal and business communities due to agreements reached between Rio Tinto and the largest minority shareholders of Turquoise Hill. McCarthy Tétrault acted as legal counsel for Rio Tinto. Norton Rose Fulbright Canada advised Turquoise Hill, and Blakes served as legal counsel for the Turquoise Hill Special Committee. Dustin Isaacs, the former chief legal officer for Turquoise Hill, described the completion of the deal with Rio Tinto, given the circumstances, as an “outstanding” result.
Spring was in the air, and spring was also in the steps of top Canadian legal talent who came up for their trophies at the fourth annual Canadian Law Awards on May 11. More than 500 attended the gala at Toronto’s Liberty Grand. It was the second year the awards were held in person, and there was no loss in enthusiasm among the legal community who attended to celebrate excellence within their ranks. Host and award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang, along with the Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer team working the event, were all smiles as they presented trophies to
A look back at the 2023 Canadian Law Awards gala , supported by event partner, LEAP Legal Software, held May 11 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto
The 2023 Canadian Law Awards – Celebrating the best that Canada’s legal profession has to offer
As Clifford Proudfoot of Lawson Lundell LLP, sponsor of Law Department Leader of the Year award, put it: “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 this gala bring people together, sustaining old connections and forging new ones.” Collin Smith, director of marketing at LexisNexis Canada, said the firm is proud to be a sponsor “as this aligns with our corporate values, including support for the Rule of Law.” The awards also promote innovation, “a key part of our strategy which underlines everything we do.” “We’re in the relationship business” The awards started with Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP taking home the Boutique Law Firm of the Year award. In accepting the award, Craig Rix, the firm’s managing partner, paid tribute to the lawyers and staff he works with and the clients. “We’re in the relationship business, partnering with our clients to solve complex problems. And the joy that we have is getting to know these organizations and the people who lead them.” Smart and Biggar won the IP Boutique Law Firm of the Year award. “Throughout the last several years, our firm has done a great job of pulling together as a team,” said principal Patrick Roszell. It was a sentiment shared by his colleague Graham Hood: “It’s a tremendous honour, and we share this with all of our team members in our five offices across the country.” Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP walked off with the LexisNexis Canada Award for Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm. Al Hounsell, director of strategic innovation and legal design, said working with his team and firm employees was key to developing legal tech tools at the firm. “I think we collaborated amongst different stakeholders, and we were able to give multiple groups a voice and pull in the right resources to make everything work out.” Next up was the legal team at Metrolinx, which won the Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Award for Construction, Infrastructure, and Transportation Law Department of the Year. “This is recognition of the work of our incredible team,” said Heather Platt, chief legal officer for Metrolinx. “It also recognizes the importance of this capital program for the region.” Singleton Reynold’s Sharon Vogel said, as the sponsor of the award, her firm is “proud to support and celebrate outstanding legal teams in construction, infrastructure, and transportation.” The honours for the award for Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year went to the teams at Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, DAVIES, Eversheds-Sutherland (UK), McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and McMillan LLP for the GoTransit Corridor expansion project. Doug Sanders, a BLG partner on the legal team representing Alstom Transport, said: “For such a complex project, we all had to make sure that it was functional and worked for our client for the long term, as well as everyone else involved.” The Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year award went to the legal talent that stickhandled the complicated and successful restructuring of shoe retailer Aldo Group. Aldo relied on the counsel of the legal team at DAVIES. McCarthy Tétrault acted for the court-appointed monitor, Martin Rosenthal of EY. Stikeman Elliott LLP was counsel for creditor National Bank. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP represented certain landlords of Aldo locations, and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada represented those involved in the exit financing for client CIBC. The main reason Aldo’s restructuring was so successful, Rosenthal said, is “because of the collaboration of all the people around the table.” Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, with a 20-plus lawyer team led by Jon Conlin, and Stikemans, led by John Leopold, won for the firms’ roles in Harbourfront Wealth Management’s purchase by Boston-based Audax Private Equity. HSBC won the award for Banking and Financial Services Law Department of the Year. General counsel Lilac Bosma said she was “so proud and excited” with how her team dealt with a year that involved transition with the pending sale to RBC. “It required a lot of agility and support for our business partners.” The trophy for Commercial Litigation Team of the Year was awarded to the legal talent behind Commissioner of Competition v. Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, which dealt with the legal complications arising from the ultimately successful merger of the telecom giants. DAVIES, Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gotlieb LLP, and Bennett Jones LLP shared the honours. The “pros” of pro bono For Pro Bono Initiative of the Year, the top honours went to Dentons Canada LLP for their work on the 30 Birds Foundation project, which helped 450 Afghan refugees – primarily schoolgirls – resettle in Canada. “I think we had so much to learn from the girls,” said Kenda Shaheen, who shared the honours with managing partner Tim Haney and lawyer Dina Awad. “After a number of them were resettled, we invited them to the firm for International Women’s Day to address the crowd. It really helped us see International Women’s Day in an intersectional way and not take things for granted.” Haney also took to the stage to accept the Managing Partner of the Year award. Access Pro Bono BC won the Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future. Donna Young, dean of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University, presented the award. She said the school wanted to sponsor an award that reflected “the pillars on which the school was founded: equity, diversity, and inclusion; technology; and access to justice.” Access Pro Bono Society of BC also won the Diversity Initiative of the Year for its Everyone Legal Clinic, which provides low-cost legal services, virtual and in person, across the province with the help of supervised articling students. Roger Chouinard of Quadreal Realty Group won the Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year. He said: “It’s great to have the recognition of the legal community for the work that we do. It’s an award for me and for my team.” As the sponsor of the award, Lawson Lundell’s Proudfoot said the firm has been “privileged over many years to work with exceptional law department leaders across a variety of industries and sectors.” EY Canada accepted the Dye & Durham Award for Law Department Innovation. To get the most out of her team members in the legal department at EY Canada, chief legal counsel Shara Roy said leadership helped guide the legal department to a place where people see a career path for themselves. “How are each of our people going to put in the extra effort? How are they going to dig deep? How are they going to put in what’s needed to transform a legal department?” Matt Proud, chief executive officer of award sponsor Dye & Durham, said: “Digital transformation is critical for the advancement of the legal profession in Canada and is central to everything that we do at Dye & Durham. It was an honour for us to help recognize the impressive innovation and modernization that is taking place in legal departments and law firms across the country.” Monique Jilesen of Lenczner Slaght LLP walked off the podium as Litigator of the Year. “It was fun to win and to reflect on all the fun and excitement I had last year,” said Jilesen, who worked for class action plaintiffs in securing a Mareva injunction freezing about $20 million in crowdfunding and crypto donated to the Freedom Convoy in early 2022. Lenczner Slaght also won the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year award, with firm partner Matt Lerner paying tribute to “an amazing group of people that work so well together – competitors that want to win and do the best that we can for our clients.” Malcolm Muthulingum, CEO of LEAP Legal Software Canada, presented the LEAP Legal Software Award for Family Law Firm of the Year, won by McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP. As the award sponsor in one of the fastest-growing areas of law, Muthulingum said: “It’s amazing celebrating the achievements of all these top lawyers in their fields. It’s fantastic to get out and let them know the good job that they’re doing.” Regional firm winners Honours were also given to regional law firms across Canada. WeirFoulds LLP won for Ontario, the second year in a row. Co-managing partner Denise Baker attributed the repeat win to her team, which she described as “very collegial,” dedicated, and hard-working. McInnes Cooper won the award for Atlantic Regional Firm of the Year. Partners Gregory Connors and Melanie Comstock came from St. John’s and Halifax to accept the award. Said Connors: “We don’t know the people here as well as some of the others, but it is very gratifying to be acknowledged with such an esteemed group.” Montreal’s Gerry Apostolatos accepted the Regional Law Firm of the Year for Quebec award on behalf of Langlois Lawyers LLP. “I think what we did this year is that we worked together as a team to bring it over the top.” Rounding out the regional awards were Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP for the Prairies and Lawson Lundell LLP for Western Canada. Pam Hrick, the executive director and general counsel at the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), accepted the LexisNexis Canada Award for Canadian Law Department of the Year award on behalf of her team. She said she “counts herself lucky” to work with the “dedicated, passionate, talented, and thoughtful team” devoted to gender equality. As for Female Trailblazers of the Year, Terrie-Lynne Devonish of Altus Group Limited took home the prize in the in-house category, while Alicia Quesnel of Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP claimed the honour for private practice. Quesnel said the award “was very unexpected,” while Devonish noted her “challenge” was to bring others into the legal profession who may have not had the opportunity before. Capping off the night on a deals high note Two more awards in the deals categories capped off the evening. The Capital Markets Deal of the Year was for Rogers Communications’ completion of the largest corporate bond offering in Canadian corporate history to finance its recent acquisition of Shaw. DAVIES acted as chief counsel to Rogers, and Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP represented initial purchasers. Patricia Olasker, a senior partner at DAVIES, accepted the award on behalf of the firm. She noted that dealing with current market challenges makes winning the CLA prize “all the more meaningful.” Finally, the M&A Deal of the Year prize was given for Rio Tinto’s $4 billion acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources. The deal received a lot of attention in the legal and business communities due to agreements reached between Rio Tinto and the largest minority shareholders of Turquoise Hill. McCarthy Tétrault acted as legal counsel for Rio Tinto. Norton Rose Fulbright Canada advised Turquoise Hill, and Blakes served as legal counsel for the Turquoise Hill Special Committee. Dustin Isaacs, the former chief legal officer for Turquoise Hill, described the completion of the deal with Rio Tinto, given the circumstances, as an “outstanding” result.
Spring was in the air, and spring was also in the steps of top Canadian legal talent who came up for their trophies at the fourth annual Canadian Law Awards on May 11. More than 500 attended the gala at Toronto’s Liberty Grand. It was the second year the awards were held in person, and there was no loss in enthusiasm among the legal community who attended to celebrate excellence within their ranks. Host and award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang, along with the Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer team working the event, were all smiles as they presented trophies to deserving luminaries and achievers across 28 categories.
Find out more
Judging The Canadian Law Awards team handed over the submissions to an independent panel of judges who were instructed not to share information on the submissions with third parties. All information provided in a nomination may be used in Key Media publications, unless otherwise instructed or marked as “confidential” on the submission form. The independent judging panel assessed and scored each Excellence Awardee submission according to the category criteria.
Winners Judges’ scores were aggregated to produce a winner in each of the 28 categories – a process that is verified with PwC, the official ballot accountants of the Canadian Law Awards. Those with the top scores were announced as winners during the gala and on the CLA website. They were also celebrated in an exclusive Lexpert digital feature on the Canadian Law Awards.
Excellence Awardees Once the research is completed, Excellence Awardees were notified via email or phone. The Excellence Awardees were also announced on the CLA website.
Research The Canadian Law Awards team conducted research and drew on knowledge and information gained through Lexpert, Canadian Lawyer, and Canadian Lawyer Inhouse to identify outstanding firms, teams, individuals, deals, or cases in each category.
Nominations The legal profession was invited to nominate online (this year it was between November 28, 2022, and February 3, 2023) by submitting nominations according to the specific category criteria outlined on the CLA website. Submissions are accepted only through the nomination portal.
Methodology
METHODOLOGY
JUDGING PANEL
AWARD CATEGORIES
SPONSORS
AGENDA
This award recognises an HR leader who has demonstrated excellence at the executive level over the past 12 months. Eligible finalists were senior-level leaders who report to the CEO and manage an HR team. Finalists were judged on their leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results.
Excellence Awardees
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BH Legal
Glaholt Bowles LLP
Green and Spiegel LLP
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP (Hicks Morley)
Landings LLP
McLeish Orlando
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Open to all Canada-based law firms that derived at least 50% of their 2022 revenue from a single practice area. Firms that do not qualify for the specialist firm categories (Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property) should be nominated in this category. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
Glaholt Bowles LLP Green and Spiegel LLP Landings LLP McLeish Orlando
Mortgage Intelligence
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
WINNER
LexisNexis Legal & Professional® provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 10,500 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. Website: lexisnexis.ca
“We are thrilled to be a sponsor of the prestigious LexisNexis Canada Award for Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm. As technology continues to transform the legal industry, it's more important than ever to recognize firms that are leading the way in innovative and effective use of tech. We are proud to support this industry recognition and look forward to celebrating the winners' achievements.”
LexisNexis® Canada Inc.
Judged on the extent to which firms have pushed through technological innovation and implemented fresh approaches in creating and delivering legal products, including utilizing technology and new business models, through 2022.
Caravel Law LLP Counter Tax Litigators LLP Fasken Torys LLP
Chad Wilson, Ideal Mortgage Solutions
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
This award recognizes the most outstanding mortgage broker in each of the six following regions – BC, Alberta, Prairies (Manitoba and Saskatchewan), Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and Quebec – who has demonstrated excellence within their respective regional market while delivering an exceptional experience for their clients.
The Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Transportation
We are a preeminent Canadian construction and infrastructure law firm. Our peers and clients recognize our lawyers as the best in the construction industry. Over forty years of leadership in Canadian construction and infrastructure law is complemented by a broad offering of legal services in litigation and corporate transactions. Contact details: Website: www.singleton.com
“As leaders in construction and infrastructure law, we are proud to support and celebrate outstanding in-house legal teams in Construction, Infrastructure and Transportation.”
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
Open to all Canada-based law departments in construction, infrastructure or transportation organizations. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
Alstom Group BC Hydro Brivia Group Pomerleau TransAlta Corporation VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Metrolinx
BlackRock Metals restructuring
Firms: Dentons Canada LLP; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Goodmans LLP; Gowling WLG; IMK LLP; Lavery de Billy LLP; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Torys LLP
Harte Gold Corp restructuring
Firms: Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Goodmans LLP; McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP; Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP
Groupe Sélection restructuring under the CCAA
Firms: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; DAVIES; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Fishman Flanz Meland Paquin LLP; Gowling WLG; McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP; Woods LLP
Firms:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG); DAVIES; Dentons Canada LLP; Eversheds; Gowling WLG; McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Schellenberg Wittmer; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants):
Ernst & Young Inc.
Aldo cross-border restructuring
Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks And Accountants):
Open to all insolvency and restructuring deals that reached completion within 2022 for which the majority of the legal work was Canada-based. Each organization may nominate a maximum of three deals. Judged on the legal work performed by Canadian organizations according to four criteria – size, complexity, breadth and innovation.
Avetta provides a cloud-based supply chain risk management and commercial marketplace platform. Our global solution is uniquely designed to connect the world’s leading organizations with qualified suppliers, driving sustainable growth. We build trustworthy bonds through responsive technology and human insight. Our process is collaborative. Our global reach is complemented by our local expertise. Hundreds of global organizations depend on Avetta to align their supply chains to sustainable business practices, worldwide. Avetta is building the connections that build the world. Discover more at www.avetta.com.
HSBC Bank Canada
Otéra Capital Scotiabank
Open to all Canada-based law departments in banking or financial services (including banks, credit unions, lenders, insurance companies, pension funds, brokerage firms and investment funds). Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Gilbert Séguin Guilbeault, Lamoureux v. Organisme canadien de réglementation du commerce des valeurs mobilières (OCRCVM), 2022 QCCA 685
Fasken, Owsianik v. Equifax Canada Co., 2022 ONCA 813
Lawson Lundell LLP, Remington Development Corporation v. Canadian Pacific Railway Company, 2022 ABKB 692
Lenczner Slaght, Annapolis Group Inc v Halifax Regional Municipality, 2022 SCC 3
Stikeman Elliott LLP; DAVIES, Centerra Gold Inc. v. Bolturuk, 2022 ONSC 1040;
Commissioner of Competition v Rogers Communications, Inc. and Shaw Communications, Inc.
DAVIES; Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP; Bennett Jones LLP
Open to a litigation team that worked on a single commercial case rendered or settled in Canada’s courts in 2022, including class actions. Judged on a single case’s size and complexity and the extent to which it set new standards of excellence in the delivery of legal services by the team.
Open to any single pro bono or not-for-profit initiative executed by a Canada-based law firm or law department in 2022. Judged on the impact of the initiative and its contribution to society and the community.
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, The Clinic (The Black and Indigenous Business Law Clinic) McCarthy Tétrault LLP, British Columbia (Attorney General) v. Council of Canadians with Disabilities, 2022 SCC 27 Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Obtaining relief for taxpayers from financial loss PooranLaw - I Decide Law Program Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, Representation of Residents of Homeless Encampment at Superior Court in Municipal/Constitutional case
30 Birds Foundation
Dentons Canada LLP
WeirFoulds LLP, Constitutional Challenges to Anti-LGBT+ Laws in the Eastern Caribbean
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, The Clinic (The Black and Indigenous Business Law Clinic) McCarthy Tétrault LLP, British Columbia (Attorney General) v. Council of Canadians with Disabilities, 2022 SCC 27 Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Obtaining relief for taxpayers from financial loss PooranLaw, I Decide Law Program Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, Representation of Residents of Homeless Encampment at Superior Court in Municipal/Constitutional case
Fasken - Owsianik v. Equifax Canada Co., 2022 ONCA 813
“As a leading firm in Western and Northern Canada, we are delighted to be involved with an awards ceremony that recognizes outstanding contributions to the legal industry in a diverse range of categories and, particularly, to support the Law Department Leader of the Year award honouring the achievements of in-house counsel department leaders for their accomplishments.”
Lawson Lundell LLP
Open to all Canada-based general counsels, chief legal officers, heads of legal et al in in-house positions. Judged on transactions and other initiatives spearheaded and leadership qualities demonstrated through 2022.
Marisa Muchnik, Ferrero Canada Limited Erin Eizenman, MaRS Discovery District Eric Tilley, Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (Infrastructure Ontario) Jay Vaghela, Propel Holdings Inc. Patti Chan, Sunwing Travel Group
QuadReal Property Group
Roger Chouinard
LG Energy Solution and Stellantis battery plant joint venture
Firms: Dickinson Wright PLLC; Gowling WLG; Lee & Ko; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Ontario Line transit system project
Firms: DAVIES; DLA Piper; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Latham & Watkins LLP; McMillan LLP
Organizations: 360 Alliance (Stantec and Jacobs); Agentis Capital; BDO Consulting; Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance; Henningson, Durham & Richardson; Optimus SBR; BDO Canada LLP
Pembina Pipeline Corporation and KKR & Co. joint venture to create Pembina Gas Infrastructure
Firms: Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP; Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Torys LLP
Banks and Accountants: RBC Capital Markets; TD Securities
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP; Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG); DAVIES; Eversheds-Sutherland (UK); McCarthy Tétrault LLP; McMillan LLP
GO Transit corridor expansion project
Open to all infrastructure and projects deals that reached completion within 2022 for which the majority of the legal work was Canada-based. Each organization may nominate a maximum of three deals Judged on the legal work performed by Canadian organizations according to four criteria – size, complexity, breadth and innovation.
Open to all infrastructure and projects deals that reached completion within 2022 for which the majority of the legal work was Canada-based. Each organization may nominate a maximum of three deals. Judged on the legal work performed by Canadian organizations according to four criteria – size, complexity, breadth and innovation.
The Lincoln Alexander School of Law is shaping the lawyers of tomorrow and reimagining legal education in pursuit of a more just society. Lincoln Alexander Law students are gaining professional experience beyond traditional legal contexts, enabling them to navigate diverse paths to practice, better serve their clients, expand the reach of justice, and innovate the legal profession itself. Website: torontomu.ca/law/
“We are proud to partner with the Canadian Law Awards in presenting the Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future, which recognizes a law firm that demonstrates our shared values of innovation, inclusion, and access to justice. As Canada's newest law school, this award is just one more way we celebrate Mr. Alexander's bold vision and continue his legacy.”
Donna E. Young, Founding Dean, Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Toronto Metropolitan University
Open to all Canada-based law firms. Small / medium sized firms are encouraged to enter. Judged on the concrete steps taken by the law firm during 2022 to demonstrate a commitment to any or all of the following; EDI as a core organizational value, to strengthen access to justice for underrepresented communities, to advance legal services through innovation, and to invest in legal education through mentorship and beyond.
Caravel Law LLP Community Justice Collective Counter Tax Litigators LLP Fasken Suresh Law
Access Pro Bono Society of BC
The Dye & Durham Award for Law Department Innovation Award
“Digital transformation is critical for the advancement of the legal profession in Canada, and is central to everything that we do at Dye & Durham. We’re proud to be a partner of the 2023 Canadian Law Awards and to help recognize the impressive innovation and modernization that is taking place in legal departments and law firms across the country.”
Matt Proud, Chief Executive Officer of Dye & Durham
Open to all projects or initiatives executed by Canada-based law departments in 2022. Judged on the significance, innovativeness and impact of the project or initiative.
Ivanhoé Cambridge Lightspeed Commerce Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute Wattpad Corp.
EY Canada
Lenczner Slaght
Open to all Canada-based litigators. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of litigation work performed during calendar year 2022.
François Grondin, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) Peter Aprile, Counter Tax Litigators LLP Grant Vogeli, KC, Lawson Lundell LLP Crawford Smith, Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP Sarit Batner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Resolution Institute is a leading Trans-Tasman association for mediators, arbitrators and adjudicators. In New Zealand we are approved to grant mediation accreditation for family dispute resolution and farm debt mediation. We provide an appointment process for individuals or organisations that require the services of a mediator, adjudicator and arbitrator, as well as training, accreditation and continuing professional development for mediators. Contact details: Trevor Slater FRI Chief Operating Officer Address: Level 4, 69-71 The Terrace, Wellington 6011 Phone: 0800 453 237 | DDI +64 (0) 4 974 8051 Mobile: +64 (0) 21 232 2027 Website: www.resolution.institute
Smart & Biggar
Open to all Canada-based law firms that derived at least 50% of their 2022 revenue from IP matters. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
Gilbert's LLP ROBIC LLP
Enercare Acquisition of HydroSolution L.P. and HydroSolution Ltd.
Firms: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG); Ekitas Avocats & Fiscalistes Inc.; McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Essity acquisition of 80 percent share of Knix Wear
Firms: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Wyloo Metals Acquisition of Noront Resources
Firms: Bennett Jones LLP; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Open to all deals with a value of CAD50-500m that reached completion within 2022 for which the majority of the legal work was Canada-based. Each organization may nominate a maximum of three deals. Judged on the legal work performed by Canadian organizations according to four criteria – size, complexity, breadth and innovation.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Raymond James Ltd.
Audax Private Equity Acquisition Of Harbourfront Wealth Management
Open to all Canada-based law firms and law departments. Judged on the concrete steps the law firm or law department took during 2022 to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Everyone Legal Clinic
Aird & Berlis LLP, Indigenous Community Initiatives and Support Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), The PRISME Conference Fasken, Fasken's Commitment to Reconciliation Gale Law Professional Corporation, NCA Network McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Mentorship Plus Program TransAlta Corporation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Program
“It is an honour to bestow the LEAP Legal Software Family Law Firm of the Year Award at the upcoming 2023 Canadian Law Awards. We are proud to partner with Key Media in supporting the 2023 Canadian Law Awards, where the best achievements in the legal profession are recognized. LEAP’s software technology and commitment to legal practice innovation has been at the forefront of industry change for more than 30 years; combined with our partnership with DivorceMate Software, it was a natural fit for us to create this new award category of legal excellence for family law firms across Canada. Like you, we’re looking forward to what LEAP brings to the legal profession in 2023.”
Malcolm Muthulingum, Chief Executive Officer, LEAP Legal Software Canada
McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP
Lending Choice
Ben Jamieson, Resimac
Benmor Family Law Group
Burrison Hudani Doris LLP
Epstein Cole LLP
MacLean Law
Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers
Open to all Canada-based law firms of any size that derived at least 50% of their 2022 revenue from Family Law matters. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
Crossroads Law
Benmor Family Law Group Burrison Hudani Doris LLP
Open to all Canada-based law firms that derived at least 50% of their 2022 revenue from litigation and dispute resolution. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022
Adair Goldblatt Bieber LLP Crawley MacKewn Brush LLP
Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP (JSS Barristers)
Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
WeirFoulds LLP
Torkin Manes LLP
Blaney McMurtry LLP
Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
Minerva Canada, a non-profit volunteer-run organization, aims to be a global leader in health and safety management education by influencing the curriculum of post-secondary institutions to ensure that future engineers and business leaders create healthier and safer workplaces. The only organization of our kind, we raise awareness and strive to make occupational health and safety a mindset by providing initiatives and resources that assist colleges and universities in preparing tomorrow’s leaders in the skills of incident and injury prevention. For more information visit: https://safetymanagementeducation.com/.
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
McDougall Gauley LLP
McKercher LLP
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting Ontario workers and businesses. A proud partner in Ontario’s occupational health and safety system and a trusted safety advisor since 1917, WSPS has a rich history of making Ontario workplaces safer. For more information visit: www.wsps.ca.
Langlois Lawyers, LLP
Lavery
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Farris LLP
Stewart McKelvey
McInnes Cooper
Government of Canada inaugural Green Bond issue
Firms: DAVIES; McMillan LLP
Organizations: Department of Justice; Sustainalytics
Banks and Accountants: BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.; Casgrain & Company Limited; CIBC World Markets Inc.; Desjardins Securities Inc.; HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc.; Laurentian Bank Securities Inc.; Merrill Lynch Canada Inc; National Bank Financial Inc.; RBC Dominion Securities Inc.; Scotia Capital Inc.; The Toronto-Dominion Bank
Shopify dual-class structure change
Firms: McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; DAVIES; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
BofA Securities, Inc.; Ernst & Young LLP; KPMG LLP; Merrill Lynch Canada Inc.; RBC Capital Markets, LLC; RBC Dominion Securities Inc.; Scotia Capital Inc.; Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
Rogers Communications bond offering to finance purchase of Shaw Communications
Open to all capital markets deals that reached completion within 2022 for which the majority of the legal work was Canada-based. Each organization may nominate a maximum of three deals. Judged on the legal work performed by Canadian organizations according to four criteria – size, complexity, breadth and innovation.
Open to all Canada-based women lawyers. Judged on professional accomplishments, leadership, community involvement, and the extent to which the individual has either passively or actively contributed to gender equality in the legal profession in 2022.
Ashley Butts, BASF Canada Inc. Shara Roy, EY Canada Patricia Callon, Sun Life Noren Howg, TransAlta Corporation
Altus Group Limited
Terrie-Lynne Devonish
Alicia Quesnel
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Cherie Brant, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) Corina S. Weigl, Fasken Sania Chaudhry, Forte Workplace Law Ivanna Iwaykiw, Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein Lawyers Yola Ventresca, Lerners LLP Alison Babbitt, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Charmaine Panko, Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation
Tim Haney
Open to all managing partners, CEOs or similar of Canada-based law firms. Judged on achievements, leadership and performance through 2022.
Stuart Wood, Caravel Law LLP Kristin Taylor, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP James Speakman, Clark Wilson LLP Morgyn Chandler, Hammerco Lawyers LLP Kevin Kiley, McInnes Cooper Brendon Pooran, PooranLaw
Canderel-led Consortium Acquisition of Cominar REIT
Firms: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG); DAVIES; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; McCarthy Tetrault LLP; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Organizations: BMO Capital Markets; CIBC; KPMG; National Bank Financial Inc.; Moelis & Company LLC; RBC Capital Markets; Scotiabank
Kinross Gold Corp. acquisition of Great Bear Resources
Firms: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Kirkland Lake Gold and Agnico Eagle Mines merger of equals
Firms: Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP; DAVIES; Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP; Shearman & Sterling LLP
Organizations: BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.; BofA Securities, Inc.; CIBC World Markets, Inc.; Maxit Capital LP; TD Securities Inc.; Trinity Advisory Group, LP
Banks and Accountants: Chess Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd.; Computershare Investor Services Inc.
Telus acquisition of LifeWorks
Firms: Clifford Chance LLP; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Stikeman Elliott LLP
Organizations: BMO Capital Markets; CIBC World Markets; Goldman Sachs Canada Inc.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.; TD Securities Inc.; Credit Suisse; RBC Capital Markets; Rothschild & Co
Rio Tinto acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources
Open to all M&A deals, including those that fall within the private equity sector, that reached completion within 2022 for which the majority of the legal work was Canada-based. Each organization may nominate a maximum of three deals. Judged on the legal work performed by Canadian organizations according to four criteria – size, complexity, breadth and innovation.
“LexisNexis is honoured to sponsor the Canadian Law Department of the Year Award, celebrating the outstanding achievements of all those who are nominated in this category. This award recognizes the dedication, teamwork and expertise that are critical to the success of any legal department. Well done. We are proud to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work and excellence of these deserving teams.”
Open to all Canada-based law departments. Judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during calendar year 2022.
QuadReal Property Group Sunwing Travel Group Valsoft Corporation Inc. Wattpad Corp. HSBC Canada Metrolinx
Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
