Each year the CBA presents a number of awards recognizing CBA members for their outstanding work. It’s time to turn your thoughts to who the next flight of recipients should be. Here is a list of the awards and their descriptions:
Douglas Miller Rising Star Award – The Douglas Miller Award was created to honour CBA members who demonstrated outstanding dedication and team spirit in their ongoing involvement with the association. In 2019, in consultation with the family of the late Douglas Miller, the award was renamed and the criteria have been reoriented to recognize an early career lawyer who exhibits professional excellence; service to the profession; and outstanding dedication and team spirit in his or her ongoing involvement with the CBA. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 12.
Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law – The Ramon John Hnatyshyn award is given to recognize outstanding contribution in law reform, legal scholarship and/or legal research. Ray Hnatyshyn served as Canada’s 24th Governor General. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 12.
The Louis St. Laurent Award of Excellence – The Louis St-Laurent award of Excellence is the highest award conferred to a CBA member in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service and professional achievement to the benefit of the legal profession, the CBA and society at large. The award was named in memory of Louis St-Laurent, a former Prime Minister of Canada, and former president of the CBA. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 12.
The Touchstone Award – Administered by the CBA’s Equality Subcommittee, this award celebrates the accomplishments of an individual or an organization who has excelled in promoting equality in the legal profession, the judiciary, or the legal community in Canada. The award recognizes successful promotion or furthering of equality at the national level and/or a significant contribution relating to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or other diversity issues in the recipient’s community. This award is open to non-CBA members. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1.
You will find full descriptions of the awards, the criteria for nominees, as well as forms and information about submitting nominations, on each award’s web page.
These awards are normally presented at the President’s Dinner during AGM week in Ottawa. Due to possible ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the date and time of the presentations will be announced at a later date.