Best Lawyers In Canada In 2019

Louise Arbour

Counsel, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Montreal, Que. An global lawyer who has just settled back in Canada, Arbour has certainly earned a spot on the Canadian Lawyer's Top 25 Most Influential list again this season. She is a winner of the 2015 Simons Foundation Award, realizing world leaders who shape and create an environment for a safer and more just world. Arbour has spoken out against protracted use of solitary confinement and has been inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. She's been a Supreme Court of Canada judge, an global war crimes prosecutor, and a law school professor. Her ability to pick things up quickly led her to various roles nationally and internationally. Arbour says economic disparities between and within counties is the number-one inexcusable human rights issue right now. Constantly craving fresh and challenging surroundings, only last year she finally did something she had never done: joined a law firm in Montreal where she proceeds to fight for human rights. What Republicans needed to say:Her stunning contributions speak for themselves. International superstar.

Fred Headon

Assistant general counsel, labour and employment law, Air Canada, Montreal, Que. As chairman of the Canadian Bar Association's Futures Initiative, Headon has given over 25 presentations to attorneys, law professors, professors, librarians, law firm staff, and regulators in Toronto to Buenos Aires, Victoria to Halifax, in person and online. The Futures report has been released in August 2014 and its own recommendations place Headon squarely in the midst of many important discussions on subjects essential to the profession. He continues to lead the Futures steering committee because it now turns its recommendations into action. Headon is an integral component of the debate about the future of this profession and he had been the very first in-house counselor to become the president of the CBA. What Republicans needed to say: Brings energy and decency and the smarts to everything he does, go to Gklaw.

Justice Beverley McLachlin

Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. A frequent member of the Top 25 list along with the very best vote-getter in years past, McLachlin continues to make waves, handing down two very important decisions on aboriginal law. The 2014 Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia decision led by McLachlin is the first of its type in the history of British Columbia. Last year that the Supreme Court of Canada granted announcement of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land. She is responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal at Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) released in July 2014, she has what the Lamer court began and has left her mark in this area for decades ahead. The chief justice continues to be a powerful proponent of greater justice for all Canadians. As her incredible amount of votes once more this season show, McLachlin is greatly admired not only for her rulings but also her public aid in favour of free speech, diversity, and comprehensive direction. What voters had to say: An excellent judge who, time and time again, marries the law with common sense. Justifiably most respected legal mind in the country; remarkable integrity; trusted public servant; clearly guided by the law and also a strong ideology.

Frank Iacobucci

Senior counsel, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. This retired justice has set the bar for police treatment of the mentally ill. His 2014 landmark report outlined 84 sound ways of helping to prevent shooting of mentally ill people by the Toronto Police. The execution of this report would go a long way toward avoiding disastrous confrontations between police and emotionally disturbed individuals. A few of the recommendations include using body-worn cameras and optimized use of tasers. The report is a powerful message that the status quo is no more okay. As a Torys counselor, Iacobucci is accustomed to advising government and company on important legal and policy matters. What Republicans needed to say: Has anyone actually done more? and Energetic, never ceases.

Sheila Block

Partner, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. Among the sharpest litigators in the nation, Block has served as lead counsel on a newly dismissed $5-billion class action lawsuit against CIBC and a $100-million suit brought by roughly 8,000 inhabitants of Barbados against Manulife. She was also staunch counsel for former Manitoba associate chief justice Lori Douglas from the question of this judge's role in a scandal involving her deceased husband, one of his former clients, and salacious photographs of herself submitted online. Block also received an honorary LLD from the Law Society of Upper Canada this year. An urge dedicated to teaching law in Canada and across the globe, she has coached advocates for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda and the Special Court on Sierra Leone. What voters had to say: Elle demontre son interet a la fois pour l'education du publique et des affaires. (She has demonstrated her fascination for the instruction of the general public and business.)

Allison Dellandrea

Crown counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General,Toronto, Ont. Dellandrea has been a key participant in advancing the understanding of crimes against children by law enforcement officials, fellow attorneys, and the judiciary. She had been involved in a child sexual abuse case in March in which Ontario's former deputy education minister Ben Levin pleaded guilty to child pornography related charges. The fees included making composed child pornography, counseling a person to commit a sexual assault, and possession of child porn. Dellandrea's role for a Crown includes function as instruction lead for Ontario's provincial strategy on Internet crimes against children. She is an instrumental leader in this region within the justice section. What voters had to say: Allison is a tireless source and is the penultimate legal head for a prosecutorial place on all things associated with child exploitation and sexual assault offences. For this challenging subject that inherently entails very reckless emotional and legal problems, Allison always has the time to provide sound advice to additional Crowns prosecuting these very tough and sensitive offences. Her efforts have made a tangible difference in making our society safer.