2019 President's Award Nominations and Student Awards Applications are now open. President’s Award deadline March 30th and all Student Awards deadline April 30th.
Save the Date!! The Award Gala is scheduled for June 12, 2019 at the Rosewater Room in Toronto.
President's Award
The WLAO President's Award recognizes a woman who has made a substantial contribution to the legal community as an academic, adjudicator, litigator, solicitor, author, or related profession. The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to the promotion of women in the law and be recognized as a leader. Encompassing the ideals of the Women's Law Association, the recipient of the President's Award will be engaged, aware and connected to issues, substantive and personal, facing women in the legal profession today. The Award may also be presented to a firm or organization exemplifying the ideals for which it is given.
Download Nomination Form (deadline March 30, 2019)
General Counsel Chapter Award
Nomination deadline: March 30, 2019
The WLAO General Counsel Chapter Award, established in 2015, recognizes a member of the General Counsel Chapter for her leadership role and commitment to the success of women in law. Awarded internally.
The Honourable Sandra Chapnik Women-in-Law Award
Submissions deadline: April 30th of the current year
The Honourable Sandra Chapnik Women-in-Law Award recognizes female law students who exemplify the drive and determination to achieve a law degree after having spent time in the workforce.
- Currently enrolled in an Ontario law school (include transcripts and a CV);
- A defined need for financial assistance (to be determined at law school with supporting documentation); and
- An essay of no less than 200 words explaining the above, her past experiences and her future goals.
As a guest of honour at the WLAO Annual Awards dinner in June, the recipient will receive her award and have the opportunity to meet many influential and successful women lawyers, legal educators, and judges from the Toronto area. This award will be administered through the WLAO and Ontario law schools with final selection by a panel consisting of the Honourable Sandra Chapnik and two WLAO board members.
Annual Award Amount: $1,000
Avril A. Farlam Advocacy Award
Submissions deadline: April 30th of the current year
The Avril A. Farlam Advocacy Award is designed to recognize outstanding participation in the legal clinic program of any one of the Ontario law schools to be determined by:
- Academic achievement (ie. marks);
- A copy of applicants CV (curriculum vitae), and;
- Essay of no more than 200 words describing how the applicant believes the legal clinic experience will make her a better lawyer
As a guest of honour at the WLAO Annual Awards dinner in June, the recipient will receive her award and have the opportunity to meet many influential and successful women lawyers, legal educators, and judges from the Toronto area.
Annual Award Amount: $1,000
Aird & Berlis Equality Award
Submissions deadline: April 30th of the current year
The Women's Law Association of Ontario and Aird & Berlis LLP Equality Award is designed to recognize a woman law student who has dedicated her time and talents to advancing equality rights. The recipient will receive a monetary award of $1000.00. The recipient of the award will demonstrate the following characteristics (for details see application form):
female registered, in good standing, at an Ontario faculty of law and studying for an LL.B, J.D. or LL.M.; and
a record of dedication to advancing equality rights (such as, but not limited to religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, mental health, refugee, aboriginal, minority and HIV/AIDS victim's rights).
As a guest of honour at the WLAO Annual Awards dinner in June, the recipient will receive her award and have the opportunity to meet many influential and successful women lawyers, legal educators, and judges from the Toronto area. Funds are available for accommodation and travel costs to Toronto for the recipient to attend the Awards dinner.
To obtain an application form please contact your law school’s Career Services office or contact Women's Law Association of Ontario directly.
Torkin Manes LLP Trailblazer Award
Submissions deadline: April 30th of the current year
Torkin Manes LLP and WLAO have established the Trailblazer Award to recognize a female law student for her leadership role in business and the law (this could be corporate/commercial, not-for-profit, or entrepreneurial). This award is given to a student that best exemplifies the qualities of effective business leadership, innovatively applied know-how, and potential for growth. The award (with a monetary award of $1,000) will be presented at a gala dinner in June 2018.
The recipient of this award will demonstrate the following qualifications and characteristics:
- female student registered in 2nd or 3rd year and in good standing at an Ontario faculty of law, and studying for a J.D. or LL.M. (the successful candidate will likely be enrolled in a joint J.D./LL.M. and MBA degree program);
- an acknowledged leader, actively demonstrating the promotion of women in business;
exceptional legal expertise and proven business acumen; and - demonstrates an entrepreneurial and business focused spirit, with a strong sense of how to put a project or idea into action.
Please return completed application form along with a letter of merit (not to exceed two pages) outlining the candidate’s qualifications for this award. If appropriate, please provide supporting documentation (i.e. letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae).