About the Award
This award was created to recognize contributions and/or achievements of members of the Ontario Bar Association who are emerging leaders in the area of class actions and who demonstrate:
- involvement in developing class actions law, which may include writing, speaking, teaching, advocacy inside and outside the courtroom, work on legislative reform, or organizing CPD;
- leadership in the class actions bar, which may include mentorship inside and outside one’s firm, being a key member on class action cases, or involvement with professional organizations;
- commitment to the community at large, which may include pro bono work or volunteering; and
- the highest standards of professional competence, integrity, and civility.
-
remove_circle_outline add_circle_outline
Eligibility
Any member of the Class Actions Section of the OBA in good standing with 5 to 15 years of practice.
-
remove_circle_outline add_circle_outline
Nomination Process
The Nomination Committee shall solicit nominations in a wide variety of ways, working with OBA staff to encourage a more varied pool of applicants. In particular, they shall:
- include as nominees all persons duly nominated in the previous three years who are still eligible for the award;
- inform all members of the Executive of the Class Actions Section;
- inform all members of the Civil Litigation Section;
- inform the class actions bar throughout the province of Ontario by widely publishing a request for nominations at least 30 days prior to the close of nominations;
- approach equity seeking groups; and
- approach regional bar associations.
Any member of the Class Actions Section of the OBA in good standing can nominate a candidate by submitting all of the following:
- a short letter outlining how the candidate satisfies the selection criteria listed below in clause 5.1;
- the nominee’s curriculum vitae; and
- a statement that they have advised the nominee and that the nominee consents to the nomination.
Nominations and supporting materials must be filed in the method set out in the call for nominations, which will generally be through the OBA online nomination system. If no such system is in place, nominations can be sent to the Chair of the Class Actions Section by the deadline established by the Nomination Committee.
As an exception to clauses 3.2-3.3 above, if the Nomination Committee receives a late or incomplete submission in respect of a nominee that, in its sole discretion, it determines should be considered, the Nomination Committee may submit that name and direct OBA staff to gather any additional information required.
-
remove_circle_outline add_circle_outline
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee shall consist of:
- the Section Chair (who acts as chair of the committee); and
- the Section Past Chair;
- the Section Vice Chair.
-
remove_circle_outline add_circle_outline
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee shall consist of:
- the Section Chair (who acts as chair of the committee);
- the Section Past Chair;
- the Section Vice Chair; and
- one other member of the class actions bar in Ontario. This person shall be the same person who sits on the selection committee for the OBA Class Actions Section Award of Excellence.
-
remove_circle_outline add_circle_outline
Selection Process
The Award shall recognize a class actions lawyer who demonstrates one or more of the following criteria:
- involvement in developing class actions law, which may include writing, speaking, teaching, advocacy inside and outside the courtroom, work on legislative reform, or organizing CPD;
- leadership in the class actions bar, which may include mentorship inside and outside one’s firm, being a key member on class action cases, or involvement with professional organizations;
- commitment to the community at large, which may include pro bono work or volunteering; and
- the highest standards of professional competence, integrity, and civility.
By the end of June, the Selection Committee shall select one recipient for the Award.
The Selection Committee shall consider OBA policies, rules, and guidelines on diversity and inclusion when selecting its nominee for the Award.
In September, the incoming Section Chair shall announce the selected recipient to the Executive of the Class Actions Section. In exceptional circumstances, the Executive may veto the selection and require the Selection Committee to choose an alternative recipient by the end of September. If no such concerns are raised, the recipient shall be notified.
-
remove_circle_outline add_circle_outline
Presentation
The Award shall be presented at Colloquium or at the reception following Colloquium.
