OBA Distinguished Service Award

Join us in celebrating the outstanding contributions of The Honourable Darla Wilson, Raymond Leclair, and Steve Pengelly at the OBA Awards Gala on June 19, 2025, at the OBA Conference Centre.

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.

Eligibility

Any Member in good standing (except a Member of the current Board and the Awards Committee) of the Ontario Bar Association is eligible for the award.
Nomination Procedure

A nomination requires the signatures of three OBA Members in good standing. To assist the Committee in its selection, please include the nominee’s resume and supporting letters if possible. The Committee is also interested in contributions to the community made by the nominee.
Selection Process

The Awards Committee, a standing committee of Council, chooses the winner(s) of the Award for Distinguished Service. The number of awards to be presented annually will not exceed three.
Presentation

Award will be presented at the OBA Awards Gala on June 19, 2025, at the OBA Conference Centre, Toronto.

Staff Liaison

Ontario Bar Association
Executive Office Lead

(416) 869-1047 x 322
Email

2025 Award Winner

Court of Appeal for Ontario

2025 Award Winner

LawPRO

2025 Award Winner

Legal Aid Ontario

Past Winners

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.