Mark Tamminga
Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Hamilton, Ont. Tamminga has committed his career to automating legal practices. His information technology focus started in 1986 while he was a law student and has been given the job of systemizing the manufacturing environment for mortgage files. Since then, Tamminga's aptitude for legal technology has just grown with Gowlings LLP. Three years back, he had been named Gowlings' Innovation Initiatives leader. He's responsible for automating the Gowlings recovery services clinic. He's designed and built a number of further training systems in the areas of debt collection, loan positioning, and civil litigation. His role has demanded re-thinking the thornier aspects of big business operations: managing cultural change, inducing client-side thinking, and constructing the compensation mechanics, which drive new behaviour. What the panel had to say: Tamminga has shown real vision in handling tough issues that lots of law firms aren't quite ready to take on.
Justice Beverley McLachlin
Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. A frequent member of the Top 25 list along with also the very best vote-getter in years past, McLachlin continues to make waves, handing down two quite significant decisions on aboriginal law. The 2014 Tsilhqot'at Nation v. British Columbia decision directed by McLachlin is the first of its type in the history of British Columbia. This past year the Supreme Court of Canada granted announcement of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land. She is also responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) published in July 2014, she has overhauled what the Lamer court started and has left her mark in this area for decades ahead. The chief justice continues to be a highly effective proponent of greater justice for all Canadians. As her unbelievable amount of votes once again this season show, McLachlin is greatly admired not only for her rulings but also her public aid in favour of free speech, diversity, and comprehensive leadership. What voters had to say: An excellent judge that, again and again, marries the law with common sense. Justifiably most respected legal mind in the nation; remarkable integrity; trusted public servant; obviously guided by law enforcement and also a strong moral compass.
Louise Arbour
Counsel, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Montreal, Que. An international lawyer who has recently settled in Canada, Arbour has certainly earned a place on the Canadian Lawyer's Top 25 Most Influential record again this year. She's a winner of the 2015 Simons Foundation Award, recognizing world leaders who form and create an environment for a much safer and more just world. Arbour has spoken out from prolonged use of solitary confinement and has been inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. She has been a Supreme Court of Canada judge, an global war crimes prosecutor, and a law school professor. Her ability to pick up things quickly led her to various roles nationally and globally. Arbour says economic disparities between and within counties is that the number-one inexcusable human rights issue right now. Constantly craving new and challenging environments, only last year she eventually did something she had never done: joined a law firm in Montreal where she continues to fight for individual rights. What voters had to say:Her magnificent contributions speak for themselves. International superstar.
Dennis Edney and Nate Whitling
Defence adviser, Edmonton, Alta. In a rare move, Edney and Whitling are being termed as Top 25 honourees as a group. Both have spent over a decade advocating for Omar Khadr, almost universally on a pro bono basis. From Guantanamo Bay to the Supreme Court of Canada (three occasions ), the unlikely duo have fought for Khadr to have him released from prison (victory in May), have him treated as a child soldier, and otherwise continue to battle for his legal rights at home and overseas. It's been exactly what the Globe and Mail called waging a war of legal attrition against the government, which has consistently done everything to paint Khadr as a dangerous terrorist who must be kept behind bars. Edney, a former soccer player who just started practising law in 40, has been the public and press face of the continuing legal conflicts, even taking Khadr into his home after he was recently released on bail. Whitling, a Harvard law grad and former SCC clerk, is a far quieter and reserved drive behind the scenes. What Republicans needed to say: Dennis has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his defence of Omar Khadr. The nobility of the profession depends on lawyers like Dennis as we're occasionally called on to defend unpopular people or entities -- but people who are not as deserving of natural justice and procedural fairness. Whitling is an smart and extremely effective advocate who remains out of the limelight. He's a fantastic lawyer. Exceptionally smart and excellent to work with.
Alice Woolley
Professor and associate dean-academic, University of Calgary Faculty of Law, Calgary, Alta. Woolley is a true changemaker in the region of law and technology as well as law regulation. She's been a valuable member of the Canadian Bar Association's integrity and professional responsibility committee. Her job with the CBA Futures job as an ethics and regulatory problems staff member is really making a mark at the legal community. Woolley is responsible for sweeping educational modifications as chairwoman of the committee that developed and adopted significant curricular changes at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law, which focus on the practical elements of legal instruction and will come into effect in September. What Republicans needed to say: top expert on legal profession and integrity; once she talks, people listen. Alice is a visionary. Teaching law students in a way that will prepare them for a 21st century practice is of crucial importance to the future of the profession.
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