Justice David Stratas
Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ont. Stratas penned possibly the most talked-about choice in the region of employment law this year. It'll affect federally regulated employers and employees 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 decades of law permitting federally regulated employers to dismiss employees without cause. Prior to the conclusion, the consensus was the employees that are governed by the Canada Labour Code could be terminated for just cause. Many federally controlled organizations such as banks, telecommunications firms, and transportation businesses view the choice that a success, because of its long-term consequences. The court needs to be a tie-breaker on this problem, wrote Stratas. Because of its effect, Joseph Wilson registered for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada in late March. A decision on leave is impending. What Republicans needed to say: He's the best administrative law jurist of the era. The single one moving deep into philosophy, making sense of everything. Thoughtful, scholarly, practical, and so hard working. Connected to the past, it appears the cases with a real impact from the Federal Court of Appeal are composed by him. Plain speaking decisions really hammer the essential points home, canadian citizenship card.
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 started up discussion on mental health within the legal community such as never before. Even though there is a deep-rooted stigma against mental illness eased by a dominance of type A personalities, Da Silva's courageous leadership has helped develop specialized support programs for attorneys who struggle in silence. As if this was not sufficient, Da Silva has gone one step further and asked attorneys to call him personally if they need assistance. His supporters underline that Da Silva's efforts are critical in a business that encourages bravado and often mistakes mental illness for an individual 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 crucially advance these issues among attorneys and lead to positive ends.
Marie Henein
Senior spouse, Henein Hutchison LLP, Toronto, Ont. Considered one of Canada's best criminal defence attorneys, Henein is known for representing high-profile customers including former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi -- charged with seven counts of sexual assault, of which two have been dropped -- former Ontario attorney general Michael Bryant, along with junior hockey trainer David Frost. Most recently Henein has taken on the case of defence counsel colleague Leora Shemesh, that was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice by Peel Police. Henein is well-known in the profession as a go-to attorney for all high-profile criminal issues. She has a superb track record of wins versus losses and has been part of the team that recently was victorious in getting John Salmon's conviction in a 1970s murder . What Republicans needed to say: Most observable leader of [the] criminal defence bar.
Alice Woolley
Professor and associate dean-academic, University of Calgary Faculty of Law, Calgary, Alta. Woolley is a true changemaker in the region of law and technology in addition to law regulation. She's been a valuable member of the Canadian Bar Association's integrity and professional responsibility committee. Her job with the CBA Futures job as an ethics and regulatory issues staff member is truly making a mark at the legal community. Woolley is also responsible for sweeping educational modifications as chairwoman of the committee that developed and adopted significant curricular changes at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law, which focus on the practical elements of legal instruction and will come into effect in September. What voters had to say: top expert on legal profession and integrity; when she speaks, people listen. Alice is a pragmatic visionary. Educating law students in a means that will prepare them for a 21st century practice is of crucial importance to the future of our profession.
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 over 25 presentations to attorneys, law students, professors, librarians, law firm personnel, and labs in Toronto to Buenos Aires, Victoria to Halifax, in person and online. The Futures report has been released in August 2014 and its recommendations put Headon squarely in the middle of several vital discussions on topics 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 the profession and he was the first in-house counselor to eventually become the president of this CBA. What voters had to say: Brings energy and decency and the smarts to what he does.
Poonam Puri
Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ont. Though Puri might not be involved from the biggest transactions of this year or many publicized litigation, her perform indelibly shapes the arguments and strategies of several lawyers. Her influence is reflected by the eagerness of the Canadian legal community to listen to and react to her perspectives and observations on the present state of the law and recommendations regarding what could be done to develop a more fair, just, and responsive legal system. She has led research plans including important corporate securities regulation initiatives in Canada (National Securities Regulator file) and has been appointed by the Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, since the expert adviser for its Credit Unions' legislative acts review. She's a popular and respected professor and highly recognized by professionals in the corporate-commercial bar. What Republicans needed to say: Outstanding gift. Unassuming trendsetter. Wise beyond her years. Will be an impact for several years to come on the corporate phase in Canada. Outstanding research and technical skills.