The Trust & Estates Section of the Ontario Bar Association has named Clare Sullivan as the recipient of the 2016 OBA Award of Excellence in Trusts and Estates Law. Clare has more than 30 years of experience in estate and tax planning and drafting, holding the Trust and Estate Practitioner designation.

Clare exemplifies the best of our practice area: she is an active member of professional associations, a frequent speaker and writer, a mentor and educator.  She is the sort of person who will always take the time to answer calls for advice, who willingly offers new lawyers support and encouragement, and who can be counted on by her clients for support, compassion and excellence.

Clare is an active OBA member, a member of the Estates Practitioners Group (Toronto) and of STEP Canada. She is a former member of the Windsor Estate Planning Council and past President of the Toronto Estate Planning Council.

She is recognized as a leader in this practice area and her broad range of expertise demonstrates why:  Clare plans and administers estates for individuals with all levels of complexity in their estates:  taxation, foreign residency of testators, beneficiaries and assets, guardianship and capacity concerns all fall within her range of skills.  She acts for professional fiduciaries and families, providing expertise and guidance and litigation support – all with warmth, compassion and great intelligence. 

Clare has inspired and educated others in the industry through her role as an instructor at the University of Windsor Law School and as a seminar leader for the Bar Admission Course. Clare participates in continuing legal education and academic writings on an ongoing basis. For seven years, Clare served on the Editorial Board for the Federated Press publication Goodman on Estate Planning.

Clare has shown dedication to her community:  her volunteer efforts include serving as a volunteer lawyer for the Wellspring Wills/Powers of Attorney Clinic (2010-present), Director of the Ontario Mental Health Foundation (2006-2014), former member and Chair of the March of Dimes Gift Planning Committee (1990-1999), and former member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Planned Giving Committee (1998-1999).

Clare’s long-standing devotion to the practice of trusts and estates law, her demonstrated commitment to her clients and the community and her passion for imparting knowledge and educating others exemplify her achievements and the exceptional contributions she has made to the Ontario Bar in the area of wills, trusts and estates. Congratulations Clare!

About the Author

Jane E. Martin
Dickson Appell LLP
Chair, OBA Trusts & Estates Section Executive