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Home / Get Involved / Awards and Recognition / Municipal Law

The OBA Barnet Kussner Award of Excellence in Municipal Law

Join us in celebrating the outstanding contributions of Christopher J. Williams on May 28, 2025, at the OBA Conference Centre

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

About the Award

The award recognizes any single or combination of the following outstanding achievements:

  • Proven skills and expertise in the provision of legal services, including written and oral advocacy, legal advice, negotiation skills, and alternative dispute resolution;
  • Characteristically exhibits the highest degrees of professionalism, integrity and civility;
  • Significant contributions in the area of legal education or professional development;
  • Contribution to the community through pro bono activities, or other projects or initiatives;
  • Leadership in the municipal bar through the sharing of knowledge, experience, skill, commitment, and by acting as a role model and mentor to new members of the profession and to his or her peers;
  • Enhancing the practice of municipal law in the Province of Ontario;
  • And/or Contribution to the development of municipal related policies, procedures, practice and legislation in the Province of Ontario.
  • Eligibility

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    Members of the OBA who practice municipal law in Ontario or who are recently retired, but not including current members of the OBA Municipal Law Section Executive, are eligible to be nominated for the Award. Any member of the OBA in good standing is eligible to nominate a candidate for submission in writing to the committee.

  • Nomination Procedure

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    The nominator must indicate that the candidate has been advised of the nomination prior to the nomination deadline and consents to being nominated. Nominations and supporting material must be filed with the Nominations Committee of the Municipal Law Section on a deadline to be set each year.

  • Selection Process

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    The Section Executive shall assemble a Nominations Committee, which shall in turn review the nominations and select the award recipient. 

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

  • Award

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    An award plaque and a gold pin will be presented to the recipient.

  • Presentation

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    The Award is presented during an Award Dinner of the Section on a date as determined by the Section Executive.

Peter Guennel

Section Executive Liaison

Peter Guennel

Ontario Bar Association
Toronto

(416) 869-1047 x 340
Email


Award Winner

2025 Award Winner

Christopher J. Williams

Aird & Berlis LLP

Presentation
The award will be presented on May 28, 2025 at the OBA Conference Centre in Toronto.

Past Recipients

2024 - Kimberly Beckman

2023 - John Mascarin

2022 - Douglas Kelly

2021 - Barnet Kussner

2020 - Diana W. Dimmer

2019 - Mary Ellen Bench

2018 - Roger Beaman

2017 - Patrick J. Devine

2016 - Wilson Lee

2015 - Allan Leibel

2014 - William H. White, K.C.

2013 - Lynn Townsend

2012 - Alan Cohen

2011 - The Honourable Peter Howden

2010 - Leo Longo

2009 - Dennis Wood

2008 - Jane Pepino

2007 - George Rust D’eye

2006 - Julia Ryan

2005 - Rusty Russell

Become a Member

Become a Member

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