OTTAWA – Mark L. Berlin, Professor of Practice at McGill University’s Institute for the Study of International Development, is the winner of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) 2016 Douglas Miller Award.
“Mark brings hard work and skills to the CBA, along with an infectious enthusiasm and sense of fun to everything he does,” said CBA President Janet Fuhrer in presenting the award. “He is a champion of the best of what the CBA embodies.”
Mark Berlin has been a CBA member for more than 20 years. During his career with the federal Department of Justice – from which he recently retired – he represented the department to the CBA for many years with commitment and zest.
An exemplary CBA volunteer, he has been active in his home Ontario Branch on numerous groups including the Board of Directors, Equality Committee, the Access to Justice Committee, and on the Editorial Board of JUST magazine. He was co-chair of the OBA mentoring program.
Nationally, he has chaired the Equality Committee, Forums and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Forum ( SOGIC). He also served as chair of the Public Sector Lawyers Forum. He is currently a member of the national Board of Directors. He has been a speaker at numerous PD events and written for many CBA publications.
His dedication to the CBA goes beyond his contributions to committees and forums. He has been a mentor to many, available at all times and for all issues, be it in person over coffee, on the phone, by email or by text. He is knowledgeable, ever-welcoming of colleagues and always encouraging.
Showing unparalleled team spirit, he offers encouragement, assistance and praise when warranted to all members of the teams he serves. Colleagues describe him as the person who gets things done, loves doing it, and helps others along the way.
The Douglas Miller Award recognizes a CBA member in good standing who demonstrates outstanding dedication and team spirit and who attends the Mid-Winter Meeting. The award consists of a framed photograph of the sculpture entitled "Crane," carved from musk ox horn by Northwest Territories artist Rex Goose.
Mark Berlin received the award on Feb. 20 at the CBA 2016 Mid-Winter Meeting of Council.
The CBA is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 36,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.