OBA Award for Excellence in Taxation Law

If any member of the Nominating Committee practises at the same firm as any of the nominees, that member must declare a conflict and will be replaced by another member of the Taxation Law Section Executive to be selected by the Chair of the Section.

The recipient shall demonstrate leadership in the taxation law bar through knowledge, experience, skill, commitment, passion, strength of character, plus all or some of the following:

• Contribution to legal education and professional development including, but not limited to, lecturing at law schools, participation in continuing legal education programs, and academic or professional writing.
• Participation in the OBA Taxation Law Section Executive or Law Society of Ontario on taxation law matters.
• Leadership in the taxation law bar by acting as a role model and mentor for new members of the profession and to his or her peers.
• Contribution to the community through pro bono work or other projects or initiatives.
• Contribution as counsel or as a judge to the development of the taxation law legislative framework.

A completed nomination form must be submitted by Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Any Taxation Law Section member of the OBA in good standing is eligible to receive the award. Current members of the Taxation Law Section Executive are not eligible for nomination.

Any member of the Taxation Law Section of the OBA in good standing is eligible to nominate a candidate by submission in writing of a letter of recommendation, a nomination form, and a curriculum vitae outlining the nominee’s qualifications. Additional supporting documents for a nomination are permitted and encouraged. The nominator must indicate that the candidate has been advised of the nomination prior to the nomination deadline and has consented to the nomination.

Nominations shall be solicited:

• By a Call for Nominations to the Section Membership.
• Through members of the Executive of the Taxation Law Section.
• Through members of the taxation law bar throughout Ontario.

The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of the Past Chair, the Chair and one other member of the Taxation Law Section Executive (such member to be selected by the Taxation Law Section Executive, with a vote to be taken if there is more than one candidate). The Nominating Committee shall be formed each year at the Taxation Law Section Executive’s first meeting. The Chair of the Taxation Law Section Executive for the year shall act as the Chair of the Nominating Committee.

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

A plaque will be presented to the recipient.

The number of award(s) to be presented annually will generally not exceed one. If in the opinion of the Nominating Committee there is no appropriate candidate in a given year, no award will be presented.

The award presentation date will be determined annually by the OBA Events Team and the Section Executives.