Central to accomplishing anything of consequence for the profession and the public we serve – is civility. Civility is paramount to productive discourse and progress. While lawyers have led the way, civility may be something we have to work more intentionally and thoughtfully to preserve in an increasingly polarized world.

In a stirring acceptance speech, Michael Eizenga, 2024 recipient of the OBA Award of Excellence in Civil Litigation, asks: “In our increasingly fraught and tribal world, do the skills of the litigator apply outside the respectful context of the courtroom?”

From deftly setting the stage to cohesively crafting the narrative, star litigators and leading judges demonstrate how to combine the art and science of skillful advocacy into a compelling courtroom story and winning trial strategy.

The OBA’s inaugural Thomas G. Heintzman Member Recognition Dinner brought together leading members of the bench and bar to toast spectacular careers in transition and pay tribute to the lawyers in attendance who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the profession through 50 or more consecutive years of membership in the OBA.

When I began my super-sized presidential term in March last year, I said that my hope was that by August 2024, every member who needs support when life shows up, will turn to the OBA and find exactly what they need to endure, adapt and thrive. And, now, as I reach that finish line, I feel confident that’s the case.

From her favourite events and her hidden talents, her best advice for students and her hopes for continued court modernization, her early heroes and her upcoming mandate to create space for lawyers to come together to discuss difficult issues in a safe, constructive, respectful way, find all about Incoming President Kathryn Manning.

I’ve been fortunate in my role as OBA president to meet people who are true trailblazers – and it’s fair to say I’ve been more than impressed, I’ve been awestruck.

After suffering a brutal attack at the hands of her then husband that left her blind, Rumana Monzur not only went on to complete her master’s degree, graduate from law school and work as a litigator for the Department of Justice in Vancouver, she became an advocate for the rights of women and persons living with disabilities.

As I reach the one-year milestone of my super-sized presidency, I marvel at the progress made in a mandate so meaningful to me and at the overwhelming encouragement from an OBA community of lawyers, students, staff and other legal professionals and partners who have ensured the thoughtful delivery and perpetual proliferation of our new and enhanced networks of peer support.

Accepting the 2023 OBA Award for Excellence in Civil Litigation in front of a Ritz-Carlton dining room filled with friends, family and leaders of the bench and civil litigation bar, Linda Plumpton spoke of the alchemy of compelling advocacy, the ability of lawyers to change lives, and the responsibility to use gifts of persuasion to guard hard-fought victories in the fight for a fair and equitable society.