OBA Award of Excellence in Criminal Justice

2024 Award Recipient

Martin

Maija Martin
Martin Barristers

The OBA’s Criminal Justice Section is pleased to announce Maija Martin as the recipient of the 2024 OBA Award of Excellence in Criminal Justice.

Maija Martin will be honoured at a reception followed by a CPD event in the Fall, at the OBA Conference Centre in Toronto. Stay tuned for the event updates.

About the Award

The award recognizes outstanding contribution to the advancement of criminal law.  The recipient shall demonstrate leadership in the criminal law bar through knowledge, experience, skill, commitment, passion, strength of character, and all or some of the following:

  • Contribution to legal education and professional development including, but not limited to, lecturing at law schools, participation in continuing legal education programs, and academic or professional writing
  • Participation in the OBA Criminal Justice Section Executive or a member of the Law Society of Ontario in good standing
  • Leadership in the criminal justice bar by acting as a role model and mentor for new members of the profession and to his or her peers
  • Contribution to the community through pro bono work or other projects or initiatives
  • Contribution as counsel or as a judge to the development of the criminal law legislative framework

Eligibility/Criteria

The following are standard criteria and must apply to the award:

  1. There is one criminal justice section award.
  2. An eligible candidate must be an OBA Member in good standing.
  3. An eligible candidate cannot be a member of the current executive, or the OBA Board of Directors.

Nomination Procedure:

  1. A candidate must be nominated by 2 OBA members.
  2. The nominators must submit a paragraph of a maximum 1000 words outlining why they feel the candidate deserves the award.
  3. The nomination must be accompanied by a copy of the nominee’s CV and a list of publications.
  4. The nomination may be accompanied by up to 5 supporting letters.

Selection Process:

  1. The selection committee will consist of the
    1. immediate past chair(s)
    2. chair(s)
    3. vice-chair(s), and
    4. a member outside of the GTA
  2. The selection committee will set the deadline for nominations each year.
  3. The selection committee may decide not to give the award in a given year.
  4. The Selection Committee shall consider OBA policies, rules and guidelines on Diversity and Inclusion when selecting the winner of the Award.

Additional Information

Janet Green
OBA Section Executive Liaison
Ontario Bar Association
300-20 Toronto Street
Toronto ON M5C 2B8
Tel: (416) 869-1047 ext 312 (Toll Free 1-800-668-8900)
E-mail: jgreen@oba.org

Previous Award Winner

  • 2022 - Faisal Mirza, Partner, Mirza Kwok Criminal Defence Lawyers
  • 2021 - Jody Berkes, Berkes Law
  • 2020 - Brock Jones, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
  • 2019 - Miriam Henry, Ministry of the Attorney General
  • 2018 - Michal Sokolski, Crown Attorney for Niagara North
  • 2017 - Enzo Rondinelli, Lafontaine & Associates