OBA SOGIC Robert Muir Award for Mentorship

2024 Award Winner

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Ontario Bar Association SOGIC's Robert Muir Award for Mentorship recognizes the outstanding contributions of a volunteer to Ontario Bar Association members through formal and informal mentorship. This Award honours the legacy of Associate Justice Robert Muir of the Superior Court of Justice both as a mentor and role model. 

Associate Justice Robert Muir was called to Bar in 1990 and practiced for 19 years prior to his appointment to the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario on September 25, 2009. He was an active member of both the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations and was the founding chair for Ontario Bar Association SOGIC. Associate Justice Muir was the first openly gay Associate Justice's ever appointed in Canada, a model of legal excellence, professionalism and mentorship whose legacy will live on in the many members of the legal community who benefitted from his leadership and support.

ELIGIBILITY

Nominees are required to be members in good standing of the Canadian Bar Association/Ontario Bar Association, currently in practice or retired. Current members of the Ontario Bar Association SOGIC Section Executive are not eligible to be nominated. The Selection Committee shall consider Ontario Bar Association policies, rules and guidelines on Diversity and Inclusion when selecting the winner of the Award.

CRITERIA

The recipient shall embody the legacy of Associate Justice Robert Muir. Specific criteria include:

• be called to the Bar in Ontario, either in practice (full-time or part-time) or academia;
• have an excellent reputation as a mentor, role model, guide or teacher in a field of law (formally or informally) including specifically for members of the LGBTQ2S+ community;
• have an excellent reputation in the practice of law or academia;
• have demonstrated leadership, and service in a field of law.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

Any member of the Ontario Bar Association in good standing is eligible to nominate a candidate by submitting the required documents (CV or Biography, supporting letters on behalf of an individual or organization, links to recent publications, etc.) using the online form describing how the nominee meets the Award criteria outlined above and giving an overview of the nature and scope of the nominee’s achievements including:

• professional and academic qualifications;
• participation in professional legal organizations;
• recognized leadership and mentorship.

Nominations shall be solicited as follows: by a request for nominations by way of email sent to all current members of the OBA and posted to the section awards page of the OBA website. 

Nominations and supporting material must be filed online prior to a deadline to be set each year.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection of the Award will be made by the Award Nomination Committee based upon a review of all received nominations.

The Awards Nomination Committee will include:

• The Chair of the SOGIC Section
• The immediate Past Chair
• One member of the SOGIC Executive selected by the Chair
• Two members of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (being Associate Judges of the Superior Court if possible)

* One member of the Award Nomination Committee must be from outside of the Greater Toronto Area as defined by the Ontario Bar Association.

The Selection Committee shall consider OBA policies, rules and guidelines on Diversity and Inclusion when selecting the winner of the Award.

THE AWARD

A sculpture is presented to the recipient.

PRESENTATION

The Award will be presented at an annual event organized by SOGIC.

PAST AWARD WINNERS

• 2023 - R. Douglas Elliott
• 2022 - Brad Berg