The 2020 Annual Award Gala will be held virtually on August 6th. For details please visit 2020 Annual Awards Virtual Gala
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.
The President's Award is normally presented at an annual dinner in Toronto in June but other arrangements will be made in 2020.
Download Nomination Form (extended deadline May 15, 2020)
Chappell Partners LLP/June Bushell Award
Submission deadline: May 15th, 2020 This award acknowledges a lawyer who, like June Bushell, experienced and overcame adversity in pursuing a career in law and, despite that adversity, is making a positive contribution through her legal practice. The award is open to female lawyers with 5 or more years of practice. The recipient will determine to which registered charity a donation of $1000 will be made in her name. The Applicant’s letter to the reviewing panel should set out her circumstances and be accompanied by two letters of support/reference attesting to the challenges facing, or faced by, the Applicant and her contributions her clients, community or the practice of law. These documents should be sent to the WLAO by email to wlao@cogeco.ca no later than May 15, 2020 with the Applicant’s contact information. The award will be presented in Toronto at the WLAO Awards night TBA. The recipient will be invited to a luncheon with the partners of Chappell Partners LLP on a date mutually agreed upon.General Counsel Chapter Award
Nomination deadline: Extended to May 30, 2020. 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 first presentation of this award was to Norie Campbell of the TD Bank Group in June 2015. The 2016 recipient of the award was Dorothy Quann of Xerox Canada. The recipient of the 2017 award was Doris Stamml, Chief General Counsel at Ernst & Young, the 2018 award was presented to Judy Naiberg, the VP, Legal & Business Affairs at Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. and the 2019 award was presented to Mary Martin, recently retired from Metrolinx.The Honourable Sandra Chapnik Women-in-Law Award
Submissions deadline: Extended to May 15th, 2020 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.
Avril A. Farlam Advocacy Award
Submissions deadline: This award has been discontinued. Thank you to Avril Farlam for her 5 year support of this award. The Avril A. Farlam Advocacy Award is designed to recognize outstanding participation in the legal clinic program of any one of the Ontario law schoolsAird & Berlis Equality Award
Submissions deadline: Extended to May 15, 2020 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).
Torkin Manes LLP Trailblazer Award
Submissions deadline: Extended to May 15, 2020 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 sometime in 2020. 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.