The OBA Award of Excellence in Pensions and Benefits Law was established in 2007 to recognize exceptional contributions to the field of pensions and benefits law.  The inaugural award was presented to The Honourable Eileen Gillese in 2009. 

Deadline for Nominations:  Nominations will close at 5:00 p.m., February 16, 2010. 

Download Nomination Form

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the OBA Award of Excellence in Pensions and Benefits Law, an individual must have 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

All nominees are required to be a member in good standing of the Ontario Bar Association to be eligible for the Award.  Current members of the OBA Pensions and Benefits Section Executive and the OBA Executive are not eligible.
 
Provide Information about Your Nominee

Send in a completed Nomination Form to the Chair of the Award Nomination Committee attaching a brief statement of no more than two typed pages that tells the Committee 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

Please attach a copy of your nominee’s CV to provide the Committee.

While it is not a requirement to notify your nominee that you are putting their name forward, it would be desirable. 

Selection Process

The selection of the Award will be made by the Award Nomination Committee. 

Presentation of the Award

The Award will be presented at the annual June end-of-year event. 

Submit Your Nomination

Mail or email your completed nomination package on or by February 16, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. to:

Ari N. Kaplan
Chair, OBA Pensions and Benefits Award Nomination Committee
Koskie Minsky LLP
900 Queen St. West
Suite 900, Box 52
Toronto ON M5H 3R3
Fax: (416) 204-2875
E-mail: akaplan@kmlaw.ca