Awards
The Advocates' Society Medal
The Advocates' Society Medal is the highest expression of esteem that the Society can convey to one of our members. It is intended to honour those who have demonstrated clearly their pre-eminence as counsel and who are acknowledged unequivocally as leaders of the bar; who have been dedicated and active members of the Society, and who have made a significant contribution to the profession of law and to the well being of the community at large.
Recipients:
| 1974 - Joseph Sedgwick, Q.C. | 1999 - David W. Scott, Q.C. |
| 1975 - Arthur E. Maloney, Q.C. | 1999 - Kenneth E. Howie, Q.C. |
| 1976 - John J. Robinette, Q.C. | 2003 - C. Scott Ritchie, Q.C. |
| 1977 - Isadore Levinter, Q.C. | 2003 - The Honourable Eleanore A. Cronk |
| 1980 - Walter B. Williston, Q.C. | 2006 - Austin M. Cooper, Q.C. |
| 1983 - Brendan O'Brien, Q.C. | 2008 - Sheila R. Block |
| 1985 - Douglas K. Laidlaw, Q.C., posthumously | 2008 - Kristopher H. Knutsen, Q.C. |
| 1987 - The Honourable John D. Arnup, Q.C. | 2009 - Edward L. Greenspan, Q.C. |
| 1988 - The Honourable G.Arthur Martin, Q.C. | 2010 - Ronald G. Slaght, Q.C. |
| 1990 - Charles F. McKeon, Q.C. | 2011 - The Honourable W. Ian C. Binnie |
| 1995 - John P. Nelligan, Q.C. | 2012 - Marlys Edwardh, C.M., LSM |
| 1996 - Earl A. Cherniak, Q.C. |
2013 - The Honourable Associate Chief Justice Dennis O’Connor |
The Advocates’ Society (TAS) was pleased to award The Advocates’ Society Medal to The Honourable Dennis O’Connor, former Associate Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, on February 21, 2013.
Almost 600 guests attended the Medal Dinner at the Toronto Hilton, including many distinguished members of the judiciary. The evening featured a tribute from The Honourable Justice Eleanore A. Cronk, Court of Appeal for Ontario, Grace and Toast by The Honourable Justice Robert P. Armstrong, Court of Appeal for Ontario, and President of The Advocates’ Society, Peter H. Griffin, serving as Master of Ceremonies.
The Honourable Dennis O’Connor is the former Associate Chief Justice of Ontario and was a member of the Court of Appeal for Ontario from 1998 until his retirement from the Court this year. He attended Osgoode Hall Law School (LLB 1964) and was called to the bar of Ontario in 1966. After his call, he practised law with his father and Arthur Maloney, Q.C. In 1973, he was appointed Magistrate in the Yukon Territory where he served until 1976. During that period, he also sat as a Deputy Magistrate of the Northwest Territories and a Provincial Court judge in the northern regions of British Columbia.
The Advocates' Society Medal was designed and executed by the Canadian sculptor Kenneth Jarvis. The gryphon was chosen as the central feature of the design because of its heraldic significance and ancient connection with the law. It was said to be the offspring of a lion and an eagle, and Sir Thomas Browne records that it is emblematic of watchfulness, courage, perseverance and rapidity of execution. The emblem has been used privately to some extent, but was, at a very early time, adapted by Gray's Inn. This association may have been the beginning of its use as symbolic of the law. The source of the particular representation of the gryphon used in The Advocates' Society Medal is the carved example in the Barristers' Lounge in Osgoode Hall.
Please click here to view the photo gallery from the evening.
For further information, please contact Robin Black, Director, Marketing and Membership, 416-597-0243 x108 or robin@advocates.ca.
The Arleen Goss Young Advocates' Award
The nomination process for the 2013 Arleen Goss Young Advocates' Award is now closed.
To nominate a candidate, please forward a brief outline of their activities to merit the award, a curriculum vitae, and at least two letters in support of the nomination to robin@advocates.ca. The nomination period is now closed. The deadline for nominations was March 28, 2013.
The Advocates' Society Arleen Goss Young Advocates' Award is presented biennially in recognition of distinguished advocacy to an individual demonstrating the following qualifications and characteristics:
- a record of innovative and passionate advocacy;
- a demonstrated concern for and contribution to the advancement of social justice;
- a well-rounded person actively involved in and committed to his or her community;
- engaged in the practice of law for 10 years or less with a principal focus on advocacy, and
- a member in good standing of The Law Society of Upper Canada.
Arleen A. Goss passed away on December 10, 2002 at the age of 40, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She practised initially as a defense lawyer in the firm of Stern & Goss and then, for the last five years of her life, as an assistant Crown Attorney with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario. She was an enthusiastic member of The Advocates' Society, active in educational and social events for young advocates. Arleen is remembered for her passion for the law and for the energy with which she lived her life.
Recipients:
2004 - M. Kate Stephenson
2005 - Vilko Zbogar
2007 - Joseph Di Luca
2009 - Daniel Guttman
2011 - Lucas E. Lung
For further information, please contact Robin Black, Director, Marketing and Membership, 416-597-0243 x108 or robin@advocates.ca.
The Advocates’ Society Award for Excellence in Teaching
This award honours those who have made an outstanding contribution in the classroom and to the profession. The purpose of the award is to promote excellence in the teaching of advocacy skills. The recipients are honoured for their commitment to The Advocates’ Society education programs (measured by number, geographical location and type of programs the individuals participate in), consistently excellent teaching based on participant evaluations from The Advocates’ Society education programs and professionalism in all aspects of his or her participation in education programming. For further information, please contact Rose Yanco, Director of Education, rose@advocates.ca.
Recipients:
2012 - Barbara J. Murchie & Alf Kwinter
The Award of Justice
The Advocates' Society Award of Justice is intended to honour advocates who exemplify the finest traditions of advocacy in representing members of our society whose cause may be politically or socially unpopular or against the mainstream. Representation of the least popular of such individuals may place personal and professional burdens on an advocate, but for the unpopular individual or group, access to our justice system and the full protection of the law depends on an advocate with skills of the finest quality being willing to take on the case.
Recipients:
1997 - Raj Anand
1999 - Jeffery H. Wilson
2000 - Barbara L. Jackman
2003 - M. David Lepofsky
2006 - Jacquie Chic
2008 - Susan M. Vella
2010 - Lawrence Greenspon
2012 - James Lockyer
The Award of Justice was designed and executed by the Canadian metal artist and jeweller Ivaan Kotulsky. The gryphon was chosen for the image of the award because of its heraldic significance and ancient connection with the law. It was said to be the offspring of a lion and an eagle, and Sir Thomas Browne records that it is emblematic of watchfulness, courage, perseverance and rapidity of execution. The emblem has been used privately to some extent, but was, at a very early time, adapted by Gray's Inn. This association may have been the beginning of its use as symbolic of the law.
For further information, please contact Robin Black, Director, Marketing and Membership, 416-597-0243 x108 or robin@advocates.ca.
The Catzman Award for Professionalism & Civility
The Catzman family, The Advocates' Society and the Chief Justice of Ontario's Advisory Committee on Professionalism are pleased to call for nominations for an award in memory of the late Justice Marvin A. Catzman, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and civility in the practice of law.
The Advocates' Society is now taking nominations for the 2013 Catzman Award for Professionalism & Civility. Click here for the nomination form, or e-mail robin@advocates.ca to submit an electronic nomination. The deadline to submit nominations is May 31, 2013.
Recipients:
2009 – Stanley G. Fisher, Q.C.
2010 - Jeffrey S. Leon
2011 - Bryan A. Carroll and John Norris
2012 - Connie Reeve
Connie Reeve, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has been named as the recipient of the 2012 Catzman Memorial Award. Connie has more than 25 years of experience as an advocate, including 14 years as a specialist in employment law. She is a leader in her firm’s Employment and Labour practice, and has been a mentor to many lawyers and students. Connie has always been a generous mentor and inspirational leader, particularly of women, both within her firm and the larger profession. She has chaired and taught at many CLE programs and co-chaired the Return to Practice Initiative of the Law Society.
The Catzman Award was created in 2008 by the Catzman family, together with The Advocates’ Society and the Chief Justice of Ontario’s Advisory Committee on Professionalism, in memory of the Honourable Marvin A. Catzman of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. The annual Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the qualities exemplified by Justice Catzman throughout his distinguished career: knowledge of the law, integrity, fairness, civility, generosity of time and expertise, and dedication to the highest ideals of the legal profession through writing and lecturing. The Catzman Award is presented annually by the Chief Justice of Ontario at the Opening of the Courts Ceremony. This year’s presentation will take place September 12, 2012.
For further information, please contact Robin Black, Director, Marketing and Membership, 416-597-0243 x108 or robin@advocates.ca.
The David Stockwood Memorial Prize
The Advocates’ Society and Stockwoods LLP established the David Stockwood Memorial Prize to honour the contribution of David Stockwood, Q.C., LSM, who served as the editor of The Advocates' Society Journal from 1991 - 2008.
We will award a prize of $1,000 biennially to the author of a previously unpublished, advocacy-related article judged for its merit by a panel.
Recipients:
2009 - Pamela D. Pengelley
2012 - John Adair
For further information, please contact Robin Black, Director, Marketing and Membership, 416-597-0243 x108 or robin@advocates.ca.
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