TORONTO - Choosing the best from the legal profession is always a challenging task, but after an exhaustive review of nominations the Ontario Bar Association has finalized the recipients of their awards recognizing contributions to the advancement of justice , volunteerism and life-time achievement.   Recipients will be honoured at the OBA Awards Gala taking place at the OBA Conference Centre on Thursday, April 26, 2012, beginning at 6 p.m..

The OBA President's Award recognizes the significant contribution of an individual Canadian or Canadian organization, which in the view of the OBA President, has made a significant contribution to the advancement of Justice in Ontario or elsewhere. Receiving the 2012 President Award is The Hon. Patrick J. LeSage, Q.C. of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.

As an association built on volunteers, the Linda Adlam Manning Award is a cornerstone of its annual awards Gala that recognizes outstanding volunteer commitment to the OBA.  Recipients are selected for their work on a significant event, achievement or contribution during the previous year that has advanced the interests of the OBA Membership and promoted the role of the legal profession in Ontario.    The recipient of this year's award is Mark L. Berlin.

In a vocation like law, there are countless members of the bar who's contributions to justice are exceptional and worthy of recognition.  Each year, the OBA asks lawyers to nominate colleagues for the OBA Award for Distinguished Service whose deserve recognition for their career contributions and achievements to the legal profession, jurisprudence, development of the law or  a significant law-related benefit to the residents of Ontario.  The 2012 recipients of the Award for

Distinguished Service are Patricia DeGuire, J. Alex Langford, J. André Marin and Jamie K. Trimble.

OBA Awards Gala is now sold outM.

The OBA is the voice of the legal profession in Ontario. As a branch of the Canadian Bar Association, the OBA represents more than 17,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students throughout the province.