In an apt and most memorable evening of celebration, the OBA’s inaugural Thomas G. Heintzman Member Recognition Dinner brought esteemed members of the bench and bar to the OBA Conference Centre on August 14 to offer toasts and congratulations to spectacular careers in transition and pay tribute to legal careers of long and lasting impact. This included recognizing past presidents of the OBA who have become judges, as well as the main event: honouring lawyers in attendance who have been members of the OBA for 50 or more consecutive years.

As attendees gathered for the reception, they enthusiastically greeted old friends, caught up with former colleagues, and made new acquaintances. Marty Sclisizzi, Central East regional representative on the OBA Board and co-chair of the OBA’s newly established committee focused on developing opportunities for senior lawyers, relished the chance to catch up. “I was especially delighted to see Stanley Shier, who I had done counsel work for and whom I had not seen for many years,  said Sclisizzi, “and Harold Caley, a former neighbour who moved out of my neighbourhood years ago.”

In front of a venerable audience that included six current and retired justices, nine former presidents of the OBA, and 14 members of the OBA ‘Half Century Club’, as well as members of the Heintzman family, OBA President Kelly McDermott kicked of the festivities with words of praise for some of the OBA’s longest-serving members.

“These exemplary members, these trailblazers, have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their profession through their steadfast, enduring commitment to the OBA,” said President McDermott. “Accomplished and inspiring, these leaders have served the public staunchly while enhancing and enriching the practice of law, and opening doors and easing paths for those who follow in their footsteps.”

Leading a toast to the honorees, the Honourable Justice Heather McGee – also an OBA past-president – lauded the half-century members for the “tremendous service to community, to legal practice, and to this noble and high-impact profession you exemplify through your membership and involvement in the Ontario Bar Association,” adding, “It’s a high bar – and high level of commitment – to which so many current members aspire.”

Partner and Co-Chair of McCarthy’s Tetrault’s International Arbitration Group, Junior Sirivar paid poignant tribute to the event’s namesake – his friend and former colleague Tom Heintzman – a legal giant and much-admired leader, who served as president of both the OBA and the CBA and was passionate about giving back to his professional community

The event also served as the official launch of the OBA Retired Lawyers Network for lawyers not wanting to lose contact peers who have supported them during their legal careers. OBA volunteer and former president, Erica James – instrumental alongside her co-chair Marty Sclisizzi with launching the network – said, “As we begin to plan future directions in life, whether this may be to a new career or retirement, many of us are concerned about how to maintain the connections that have been so vital and precious during our busy practices, and to share the challenges of the major changes in moving into, and enjoying, a new chapter.”

This new network aims to be an answer to that, explained Sclisizzi, himself a member of the OBA Half-Century Club, by providing senior lawyers with “a means of staying in touch with their peers and former peers and colleagues.” He adds, “I hope the Retired Lawyers Network will provide information to retiring and retired lawyers on a host of issues including winding down their practices, transitioning, health, the importance of remaining active physically and mentally, and much more.” 

A dedicated website for the network will feature PD programs, articles, wellness resources and career opportunities relevant to this cohort, members will enjoy an array of online and in-person opportunities (like the Heintzman Dinner itself) to bolster essential community ties.

“Attendees were very enthusiastic about the launch of the Retired Lawyers Network,” according to Sclisizzi. “Many commented that there is a real need for a retiring and retired lawyers’ network and that it was long overdue.”

The OBA will continue to expand this initiative, with input from members, but events, including an upcoming screening and discussion of the documentary Retirement on Trial, are well underway, said James. “Rest assured we have a slew of offerings and opportunities in the works to serve your need for community, knowledge and support at this stage of your professional and personal journey.”

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE HEINTZMAN DINNER

Plan to attend next year's Thomas G. Heintzman Member Recognition Dinner in June 2025.

Thank you to our event sponsor, Lawyers Financial, and our reception sponsor, McCarthy Tétrault.