Top Lawyers In Canada In 2019

Justice Beverley McLachlin

Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. A frequent member of the Top 25 list and the very best vote-getter in years past, McLachlin continues to make waves, handing down two quite important conclusions on aboriginal law. The 2014 Tsilhqot'at Nation v. British Columbia decision led by McLachlin is the earliest of its kind in the history of British Columbia. This past year that the Supreme Court of Canada granted declaration of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land. She is also responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) published in July 2014, she has overhauled what the Lamer court began and has left her mark in this region for decades ahead. The chief justice continues to be a powerful proponent of greater justice for all Canadians. As her unbelievable amount of votes once again this season reveal, McLachlin is greatly admired not just for her rulings but also her public aid in favour of free speech, diversity, and inclusive direction. What voters had to say: An excellent judge that, time and time again, marries the legislation with common sense. Justifiably most respected legal mind in the nation; remarkable integrity; reliable public servant; obviously guided by the law and a strong ideology, go to https://gklaw.ca/.

Justice David Stratas

Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ont. Stratas penned possibly the most talked-about choice in the region of employment legislation this year. It will affect federally regulated companies and workers for a long time to come. His February Federal Court of Appeal decision in Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada flies in the face of 40 years of law allowing federally regulated employers to dismiss workers without cause. Prior to the decision, the consensus was that employees who are regulated by the Canada Labour Code could be terminated for just cause. Many federally controlled organizations including banks, telecommunications companies, and transport businesses view the decision that a victory, because of its long-term consequences. The court has to be a tie-breaker on this problem, composed Stratas. As a result of its impact, Joseph Wilson registered for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada in late March. A decision on leave is pending. What voters had to say: He's the best administrative law jurist of our era. The single one going deep into doctrine, making sense of it all. Thoughtful, scholarly, practical, and so hard working. With respect to the past, it appears the instances that have a true effect from the Federal Court of Appeal are written by him. Plain speaking decisions actually hammer the essential points home.

Dawn Devoe

General counselor, World Vision Canada, Toronto, Ont. Devoe is World Vision's key legal adviser because of its Child for Sale advocacy campaign aimed at ending child labour and human trafficking. As lead counsel for the Canadian discussions regarding World Vision's partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme, she has represented the organization in global partnership meetings in South Africa, Kenya, and the Philippines. This venture accounts for more than $30 million of annual food aid programmed through World Vision Canada. With jobs in nearly 100 countries across the globe, Devoe manages a busy legal department and has been able to stay flexible and nimble. What Republicans needed to say: Amazing lawyer and individual. She not only has a passion for the law, but also cares deeply for others and demonstrates that in her job. Brilliant legal counsel, very inventive problem solver, capable to integrate legal and taxation legislation into a beneficial remedy to most parties.

Orlando Da Silva

President, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, Ont. Da Silva's heartfelt public confession of a very long and deep depression and attempted suicide has opened discussion on mental health over the legal community such as never before. While there's a deep-rooted stigma against mental illness eased by a dominance of type A personalities, Da Silva's brave leadership has helped develop specialized support programs for attorneys who battle in silence. As if this was not sufficient, Da Silva has gone one step farther and asked attorneys to call him personally if they require assistance. His fans emphasise that Da Silva's efforts are critical in an industry that promotes bravado and often mistakes mental illness to get a personal weakness. What voters had to say: Mr. Da Silva's bravery in grounding increasingly recognized mental health problems in the legal profession in his personal experience will advance these concerns among attorneys and lead to positive ends.

Jean-Pierre Blais

Chairman, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Ottawa-Gatineau Blais is not scared of criticism and is prepared to go above and beyond in the name of customer rights. A recent CRTC decision provides users more freedom to choose TV stations of the liking as part of the satellite and cable subscriptions despite bitter opposition from Canada's cable businesses. Blais known as former Bell Media president Kevin Crull, without naming names, over reports Crull told CTV news personnel to not interview him after that decision. Crull ended up apologizing for interfering in the news gathering process and afterwards stepped down. From telemarketers to telcos, Blais always intends to encourage the rights and needs of customers. What voters had to say: Reaching big shift with consumer-minded focus. About time!

Allison Dellandrea

Crown counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General,Toronto, Ont. Dellandrea has been a key player in advancing the understanding of crimes against children by law enforcement officers, fellow lawyers, and the judiciary. She was included in a child sexual abuse case in March in which Ontario's former deputy education minister Ben Levin pleaded guilty to child pornography related fees. The fees included making written child porn, counseling a individual to commit a sexual assault, and possession of child porn. Dellandrea's role as a Crown includes being the instruction lead for Ontario's provincial strategy on Internet crimes against children. She's an instrumental leader in this region within the justice section. What voters had to say: Allison is a tireless resource and is the penultimate legal mind for a prosecutorial position on all things associated with child exploitation and sexual assault offences. For such a challenging subject that inherently involves quite reckless emotional and legal issues, Allison always has time to provide sound guidance to additional Crowns prosecuting these very difficult and sensitive offences. Her efforts have made a concrete difference in making our society safer.