About the Award
The OBA Award of Excellence in Pensions and Benefits Law (the Award) was established in 2007 to recognize exceptional contributions in the field of pensions and benefits law. The inaugural Award was presented to the Honourable Eileen Gillese in 2009, and has since been bestowed on a deserving recipient who has had a distinguished career in the pensions and benefits bar.
The OBA Pensions and Benefits Section Award Nomination Committee (the Committee) welcomes nominations in accordance with the process described below.
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the OBA Award of Excellence in Pensions and Benefits Law, an individual must have practiced pensions and benefits law in Ontario, and made a significant contribution in one or more of the following areas:
- Enhancement of the practice of pensions and benefits law;
- Development of pensions and benefits law, including teaching, writing and advocacy;
- Leadership through participation in governmental/regulatory bodies and professional associations, including the OBA;
- Mentoring and teaching through the sharing of knowledge and experience;
- Advocacy and/or adjudication.
- Length of distinguished service
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 OBA Pensions and Benefits Section Executive and the OBA Board of Directors are not eligible to be nominated. Nominations of both practicing and retired members of the Association are encouraged. Note: Retired members must still be members in good standing of the CBA/OBA.
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Nomination Procedure
Nominations must be submitted through the OBA’s online nominations portal, by completing the Nomination Form and submitting a letter that describes how your nominee meets the Award criteria shown above and gives an overview of the nature and scope of your nominee’s achievements including:
- Professional and academic qualifications
- Participation in professional legal organizations
- Recognized leadership in the Pensions and Benefits bar
- Recognized contributions to the development of pensions and benefits law and policy
- Recognized skill in advocacy or adjudication related to pensions and benefits policy
- The Nomination letter should ideally list the eligibility criteria and provide specific examples of how the nominee meets each criterion.
While it is not a requirement to attach a copy of the nominee’s CV or letters of support from peers or colleagues, the nomination will generally be considered stronger if it includes these attachments. However, the minimum requirement for the nomination to be considered by the Committee is a completed Nomination letter.
A nominee for this award will be notified in advance and be in agreement with their nomination being submitted.
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Presentation
After 2025's presentation, this award will typically be presented biennially in the Spring at an event to be announced in the given year. Under this new schedule, the award will next be presented in Spring of 2027.
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Selection process
The Committee will consider all nominations in the year they are submitted and in the subsequent nomination period.