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OBA Distinguished Service Award

Ontario Bar Association Celebrating Excellence banner with a gold and blue scales of justice emblem on a light, bokeh background.

About the Award

OBA’s Award for Distinguished Service recognizes exceptional career contributions and/or career achievements by Members of the Ontario Bar Association:

  • To the legal profession in Ontario;
  • Or to jurisprudence in Ontario or Canada;
  • Or to the law or development of the law in Ontario;
  • Or a significant law-related benefit to the residents of Ontario.
Terrine Bird

Staff Liaison

Terrine Bird

Ontario Bar Association
Program Coordinator

(416) 869-1047 x 339


Valerie Robinson

Staff Liaison

Valerie Robinson

Ontario Bar Association
Executive Office Lead

(416) 869-1047 x 322


Award Presentation

Award will be presentation at the OBA Gala on April 23, 2026 at the OBA Conference Centre in Toronto.

Past Winners

2025 - The Honourable Darla Wilson, Raymond LeClair, and Steve Pengelly

2024 - Lisa Borsook and Sidney H. Troister, K.C

2023 - The Honourable Fred Myers

2022 - Ena Chadha

2020 - Michel W. Drapeau, Ian M. Hull, 
Audrey Ramsay, and Reuben M. Rosenblatt

2019 - Eva E. Marszewski, Albert O. Oosterhoff, and
Martin M. Sclisizzi

2018 - The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch and 
Raj Anand

2017 - Christopher Arthur W. Bentley, Craig R. Carter, and Orlando Da Silva

2016 - Angela J. Swan, Jerry B. Udell, and
Frank E. Walwyn

2015 - Richard C. Halpern, Mark M. Orkin, K.C., and
The Hon. Justice Paul R. Sweeny

2014 - Ian D. Kirby, Paul D. Paton, and Maryellen Symons

2013 - Dennis W. Brown, K.C., Martha Mackinnon, and
James C. Morton

2012 - Patricia DeGuire, J. Alex Langford, K.C., 
André Marin, and Jamie K. Trimble

2011 - John M. Hodgson, K.C., The Honourable Heather A. McGee, and Eugene Meehan, K.C.

2009/2010 - Steven F. Rosenhek, Dianne Saxe, Ph.D., and Jonathan Speigel

2008 - Jennifer E. Babe, William J. Simpson, K.C., and
Judith A Wahl

2007 - The Honourable Dennis R. O'Connor and
Susan T. McGrath

2006 - Wayne D. Gray, The Honourable Brian W. Lennox, and Rino A. Stradiotto, K.C.

2005 - Frank Bennett and The Honourable Mr. Justice Robert J. Sharpe

2004 -Timothy P. Bates and James F. O'Brien

2003 - Judith L. Huddart, 
The Honourable Mr. Justice Frank Iacobucci
Charles Anthony Keith, K.C., and James F. Leal

2002 - Stephen R. Cameron, 
The Honourable Mr. Justice Patrick J. LeSage, and 
Joan M. MacDonald

2001 - Larry A. Banack, John F. Evans, K.C., Arthur B. James, and The Honourable Mr. Justice John W. Morden

2000 - Harvey M. Haber, K.C. and Etienne Saint-Aubin

1999 - Mary Louise Dickson, K.C., Robert G. Murray, K.C., and Donald E. Short

1998 - Garth Manning, K.C., The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, and Professor John Whiteside, K.C.

1997 - E. Peter Newcombe, K.C.
Paul M. Perell George N. Speal, K.C.

1996 - David I. Bristow, K.C.

1995 - Mary Eberts, Erica L. James, and 
Ian G. Scott, O.C., K.C.

1994 - Emile R. Kruzick, Lynda C.E. Tanaka, 
G. Roderick Cameron, and Peter B. Stuart, K.C.

1993 - Donald R. Cameron, K.C., John R. Campbell, K.C., and Linda Silver-Dranoff

1992 - Madam Justice Rosalie Abella, Donald B. Good, K.C., Nancy M. Mossip, and Judge Charles Scullion

1991 - Brian D. Bucknall, The Honourable John R.R. Jennings, Frances P. Kiteley, and Clare Lewis, K.C.

1990 - Lloyd Brennan, K.C., Sandra Chapnik, 
William J. Harnett, Miriam A. Kelly, K.C., and
Frank K. Roberts, K.C.

1989 - Willson McTavish, K.C., The Honourable Victor Paisley, and Janet Wilson

1988 - Carole Curtis, Ian W. Outerbridge, K.C.
Albert A. Strauss, K.C.