Top Lawyers In Canada

Sheila Block

Partner, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. Among the sharpest litigators in the country, Block has served as lead counsel on a newly discounted $5-billion class action lawsuit against CIBC and a $100-million lawsuit brought by roughly 8,000 residents of Barbados from Manulife. She was also staunch counsel for former Manitoba associate chief justice Lori Douglas in the inquiry of this judge's character in a scandal involving her deceased husband, one of his former clients, and salacious photographs of herself posted on the internet. 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 world, she's coached advocates for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda and the Special Court in Sierra Leone. What Republicans needed to say: Elle demontre son interet a la fois pour l'schooling du publique et des affaires. (She's demonstrated her fascination to the instruction of the public and company.)

Frank Iacobucci

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

Sara Cohen

Founder, Fertility Law Canada at D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont. Cohen has devoted her career to 2 actions which have shifted the practice of fertility law for the greater in Canada and beyond. She has spent hundreds of hours teaching and mentoring on the field of fertility as an adjunct professor, at home and overseas. Her collegiality in a notoriously competitive region of the law, truly underlines Cohen's dedication to improving the practice of fertility legislation. More importantly she pushes for change she wants to see in this burgeoning area of the law. Current lobbying attempts are sure to repay; among them to acquire coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health plan as well as changes to the family law legislation that would explain that a sperm donor isn't a parent only by virtue of being a donor. Finally, she is the first adjunct professor in the nation to give a course exclusively devoted to reproductive law in Canada, helping clear the route for prospective field professionals. What voters had to say: Sara was instrumental in improving the law in assisted reproductive technology. Genuinely cares about her field of expertise. This isn't just a task for Sara, it's her passion.

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 contributed more than 25 presentations to attorneys, law students, professors, librarians, law firm staff, and regulators from Toronto to Buenos Aires, Victoria to Halifax, in person and online. The Futures report was released in August 2014 and its recommendations put Headon squarely in the midst of many important discussions on topics essential to the profession. He continues to lead the Futures steering committee because it now turns its guidelines into actions. Headon is an integral part of the debate on the future of the profession and he had been the first in-house counsel to eventually become the president of this CBA. What voters had to say: Brings energy and decency and the smarts to everything he does.

Justice Murray Sinclair

Chairman, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Winnipeg, Man. An uncommon write-in candidate winner for this season 's Best 25, Sinclair was among the list last year, making headlines again in June with the release of the summary of the record of the TRC along with 94 recommendations to remedy the cultural genocide of Canada's residential school program. Over six years, Sinclair directed the TRC hearing the tales of more than 7,000 survivors of sexual, physical, and mental abuse. Sinclair, that was the first aboriginal judge in Manitoba, was initially appointed to the provincial court where he became associate leader in 1988 and then raised to the Court of Queen's Bench at 2001. He was co-commissioner of Manitoba's Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in 1988 and presided over a 2000 inquest into the deaths of 12 babies at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre. Sinclair hopes to finish the commission's complete report in the not too distant future, following which he will decide whether to go back to court or retire and advocate for native rights full-time, look more ideas to aaronsonlawoffice.com.