Members of the Public Sector Lawyers Section came together on May 24, 2018 to celebrate the outstanding contributions of one of their members. Orlando DaSilva was recognized with the Tom Marshall Award of Excellence for Public Sector Lawyers.
Each year, one member receives the award, which was created to recognize outstanding mentorship, outstanding organizational contribution in relation to public sector issues and/or public sector lawyers, and outstanding contribution in the development of public sector legal practice, as well as exemplary achievements in the area of social justice or community affairs.
Hosts Carole Prest and Marlene Costa commented on the similarities between Mr. DaSilva and Mr. Marshall, both having had long careers with the Ministry of the Attorney General and serving as presidents of the Ontario Bar Association. They shared highlights from Mr. DaSilva’s nomination, including comments on his humanity and vulnerability – attributes that profoundly improve the image of the profession. They pointed out that it is rare to have someone from the bench support a nomination, something that speaks to the level of excellence of this year’s award recipient.
Mr. DaSilva’s compassion was a theme throughout the evening, as Tom Marshall, the founder of the Public Sector Lawyers Section, remarked. Mr. Marshall also spoke about the importance of the role of the public lawyer in upholding the rule of law, which Mr. DaSilva does fiercely.
Sean Kearney, Director of the Crown Law Office – Civil, shared the impression of Orlando throughout the office as someone who is the best of what a public lawyer should be. Orlando’s humility and coolness under pressure make him an excellent mentor to junior lawyers, and his palpable enthusiasm for the law make him a trailblazer within the profession.
Another common theme throughout the speeches was Orlando’s tremendous commitment to raising awareness regarding mental health. Justice Lucy McSweeney spoke fondly of the time when she and Orlando worked together, and said she remembers him as someone who brings his whole self and makes room for others to speak. She commended Orlando for publicly speaking of his own mental health battles and noted the benefits that this openness has brought to the entire profession by normalizing conversations about mental health challenges.
Attendants had the opportunity to hear from the guest of honour himself in a speech that was as humble and calm as the guest speakers promised. Orlando spoke of the role the OBA has played in his career, as well as his experience as a public sector lawyer. He said both of these identities provided him with perspective and reminded him that there is much more to the profession than the battle in the courtroom. He emphasized the love and support that his family provides on a daily basis and expressed gratitude to those around him who have guided him as a lawyer and as an individual.
Orlando emphasized that this award is aspirational in his eyes, and that he will continue to work to earn this honour that was bestowed upon him.
Congratulations, Orlando!
About the Author
Stephanie Bishop is a recent graduate of Queen’s University Faculty of Law and is currently articling at the Ministry of the Attorney General – Constitutional Law Branch. When she is not thinking about the law, you can safely assume that she is thinking about travelling or her adorable pup.