Insurance Law | Ontario Bar Association

About the Award

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Insurance Law Section of the OBA will present its 20th Annual Award for Excellence in Insurance Law. The Award was created to recognize and thank outstanding members of the Ontario Bar Association for their exceptional achievements, distinguished service and contributions in the following areas:

The development of insurance law through advocacy, teaching, writing or legislative reform;
Leadership in the profession and particularly of lawyers practicing insurance law;
Maintaining the highest standards of professional competence as well as the highest levels of honesty, integrity and civility;
Enhancement of the profession of law and the well-being of the community.

Deadline for Applications

A fully complete nomination form, along with any required supporting documents, must be submitted via the online nomination form on or before Friday, May 30, 2025, 5:00 pm (EST).
Eligibility

All OBA members who are practicing lawyers in Ontario but not including current members of the Insurance Law Section Executive or the Executive of the OBA.
Nomination Procedure

Nominations shall be solicited: through members of the Executive of the Insurance Law Section; and through members of the Insurance Law Bar throughout the Province of Ontario. Any member of the Insurance Law Section of OBA in good standing is eligible to nominate a candidate by submission in writing, together with a curriculum vitae outlining the nominee’s qualifications. The nominator must indicate that the candidate has been advised of the nomination prior to the nomination deadline and consents thereto.
Selection Process

The award recipient is confirmed by the Executive Committee of the Insurance Law section of the Ontario Bar Association, which is assisted in its deliberations by a Nomination and Selection Committee comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair, members of the judiciary, past recipients and members selected from the profession at large. Members of the Section Executive and the Board are not eligible for the award.

Members of the OBA are invited to nominate candidates for the Award by providing a summary of the candidate’s qualities, contributions and achievements in the field of Insurance Law under the selection criteria described above. We welcome nominations from across Ontario.

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

*All eligible candidates must be OBA members.

Complete the online nomination form and submit it on or before Friday, May 30, 2025 at 5:00 pm (EST).

View Nomination Form

Section Executive Liaison

Ontario Bar Association
Coordinator, Sections

(416) 869-1047 x 312
Email

Past Recipients

2024 - S. Wayne Morris, Toronto and Brian M. Bangay, Central East

2023 - Deborah Berlach, Toronto and Barbara Legate, London

2022 - Jim Vigmond (Barrie) and D. Keith Smockum

2021 - Todd J. McCarthy, Whitby and Richard H Shekter

2020 - John A. Olah and David F. Smye, K.C., Hamilton

2019 - Glenn Smith, Toronto and Mark Lerner, London

2018- C. Kirk Boggs, Toronto

2017- Donald H. Rogers, K.C., Toronto and Michael C. Birnie, North Bay

2016- John McLeish, Toronto and Wilfrid Menninga, Kingston

2015- Alfred Kwinter, Toronto and Owen Smith, New Liskeard

2014- Mary Margaret Fox, Toronto and Heather J. Williams, Ottawa

2013 - Bruce A. Thomas, K.C., Toronto and Roger G. Oatley, Barrie

2012 - Barry A. Percival, K.C., Toronto and Pasquale (Pat) Santini, Ottawa

2011 - Paul A. Lee, K.C., Toronto and James C. Simmons, K.C., Sudbury

2010 - W. Thomas McGrenere, K.C., Toronto and Kristopher H. Knutsen, K.C., Thunder Bay

2009 - Steven Stieber, Toronto

2008 - Geoffrey D. Adair, K.C., Toronto and John F. Evans K.C., Hamilton

2007 - Jesse T. Glass, K.C. Toronto and Eric R. Williams, Ottawa

2006 - Philippa G. Samworth, Toronto

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law

About the Award

Past Recipients