Best Lawyers In Canada

Justice David Stratas

Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ont. Stratas penned perhaps the very talked-about decision in the area of employment law this year. It will affect federally regulated companies and workers 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 years of legislation allowing federally regulated employers to dismiss employees without cause. Before the decision, the consensus was that workers that are regulated by the Canada Labour Code could be terminated for just cause. Many federally controlled organizations including banks, telecommunications companies, and transportation companies view the decision that a victory, because of its long-term consequences. The court needs to be a tie-breaker with this issue, composed Stratas. As a result of its effect, Joseph Wilson filed for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada in late March. A choice on leave is pending. What voters had to say: He is the greatest administrative law jurist of our age. The only one moving deep into doctrine, making sense of it all. Thoughtful, scholarly, practical, and so hard working. With respect to the last, it appears the instances with a real effect from the Federal Court of Appeal are composed by him. Plain speaking decisions really hammer the important points home, Canadian Citizenship Application & Passport. Requirements, Test, Forms, Fees.

Mark Tamminga

Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Hamilton, Ont. Tamminga has devoted his career to automating lawful practices. His information technology focus started in 1986 while he was a law student and was given the job of systemizing the manufacturing environment for files. Ever since then, Tamminga's capability for legal technology has just grown with Gowlings LLP. Three decades back, he was called Gowlings' Innovation Initiatives leader. He's responsible for automating the Gowlings recovery solutions clinic. He's designed and built lots of additional practice systems in the fields of debt collection, loan positioning, and civil litigation. His role has required re-thinking the thornier aspects of big business operations: managing cultural change, causing client-side believing, and constructing the compensation mechanisms, which induce new behavior. Exactly what the board had to say: Tamminga has shown actual vision in tackling tough issues that lots of law firms are not quite prepared to take on.

Dawn Devoe

General counsel, World Vision Canada, Toronto, Ont. Devoe is World Vision's key legal adviser for the Child for Sale advocacy campaign aimed at ending child labour and human trafficking. As lead counsel for the Canadian discussions regarding World Vision's partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme, she has represented the organization in global partnership meetings in South Africa, Kenya, and the Philippines. This venture accounts for more than $30 million of annual food help programmed through World Vision Canada. With jobs in almost 100 countries throughout the globe, Devoe oversees a busy legal division and has managed to stay flexible and nimble. What voters had to say: Amazing lawyer and individual. She not only has a love for the law, but also cares deeply for others and shows that in her job. Outstanding legal counsel, very creative problem solver, capable to integrate legal and taxation legislation into a beneficial solution to most parties.

Sara Cohen

Creator, Fertility Law Canada in D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont. Cohen has committed her career to 2 activities which have changed the practice of fertility law to the better in Canada and outside. She has spent hundreds of hours training and teaching on the field of fertility as an adjunct professor, at home and abroad. Her collegiality at a highly aggressive area of the law, truly underlines Cohen's dedication to enhancing the practice of fertility legislation. More importantly she pushes change she wants to see in this burgeoning area of law. Current lobbying attempts are sure to pay off; one of them to acquire coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health plan as well as changes to the family law legislation that would clarify a sperm donor isn't a parent only by virtue of being a donor. Finally, she is the first adjunct professor in the nation to give a course exclusively devoted to reproductive law in Canada, helping clear the path for future field professionals. What Republicans needed to say: Sara has been instrumental in improving the legislation in assisted reproductive technologies. Genuinely cares about her area of expertise. This isn't just a task for Sara, it's her passion.

Justice Beverley McLachlin

Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. A common member of the Top 25 list along with also the top vote-getter in years ago, McLachlin proceeds to make waves, handing down two very significant conclusions on aboriginal law. The 2014 Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia decision led by McLachlin is the first of its kind in the history of British Columbia. Last year the Supreme Court of Canada granted declaration of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land. She's responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) released in July 2014, she has what the Lamer court started and has left her mark in this region for decades to come. The chief justice continues to be a powerful proponent of justice for all Canadians. As her unbelievable amount of votes once more this season show, McLachlin is greatly admired not just for her rulings but also her public aid in favour of free speech, diversity, and comprehensive direction. What voters had to say: An excellent judge that, again and again, marries the legislation with common sense. Justifiably most respected legal mind in the country; remarkable integrity; trusted public servant; clearly guided by the law and also a strong ideology.

Lorne Waldman

Waldman & Associates, Toronto, Ont. Waldman is a great guardian of refugees, immigrants, and human rights. He's won a number of important successes, such as healthcare for refugees in Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care v. Canada and a female 's right to wear the niqab whilst producing her citizenship oath at Ishaq v. Canada with his partner Naseem Mithoowani. In addition, he contended at the Supreme Court of Canada in J.P. v. Canada and G.J. v. Canada, that Canada's anti-human smuggling provisions must consist of asylum seekers participating in mutual assistance. Along with Peter Edelmann, he acted on behalf of the CBA in the Harkat case prior to the SCC at 2014. On the global stage, he represents Mohamed Fahmy (alongside Amal Clooney), the Canadian journalist working for Al Jazeera. He has also been a vocal opponent of Bill C-51 and changes to Canada's citizenship law. What Republicans needed to say: Lorne educated us all, particularly today, to preserve democracy and to maintain the rule of law.