OBA Markus Cohen, Q.C. Memorial Award for Excellence in Franchise Law

The Award is open to any Ontario Bar Association member currently or formerly practicing in the Province of Ontario in the area of franchise law, whether in the private or public sectors.

Both self-nomination or 2nd party nominations are accepted. Scholarly written work can have been originally authored for another purpose, an OBA program, or for the purpose of this award. The written work must have been authored in the 12 month period prior to the intended presentation date of the year.

This Award recognizes outstanding scholarly contributions by an Ontario Bar Association member to the development of franchise law made in the 12 months preceding the annual deadline date for nominations or, if no Award was granted in the prior calendar year, in the period since the last Award was granted. 

The Award is available only to individuals, not law offices or other organizations or groups. The current members of the Nomination Committee, which is a committee of the Section Executive, are not eligible for nomination. Nominations are to be made either by (a) completing the online form or (b) in the discretion of the Nomination Committee, by the Nomination Committee identifying suitable candidates through its review of scholarly contributions that meet the criteria identified below. Selection of the recipient of the Award will be made by the Executive of the Franchise Law Section with the advice and recommendations of the Nomination Committee. 

A special plaque will be presented to the recipient.

If the Section Executive determines in its discretion that there is a suitable candidate for the Award in a given calendar year, the Award will be presented at the Annual Franchise Law Conference, usually held in November on a date to be determined by the Section Executive.

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