The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/1287338
www.canadianlawyermag.com 21 Advocacy and Criminal; and Government/ Non-profits/Associations. Nominees were put in the category in which the individual most recently exercised their influence, which at times might differ from their main area of practice. Once again, our list featured a naturally occurring gender balance and diverse cast of winners. We did not apply any editorial authority to shift the composition of the list in the name of diversity; the fact that so many accomplishments in Canada's legal profession were achieved by lawyers from historically marginalized groups, reflected by voters' choices, did that for us. With the Covid-19 pandemic taking Canada, and the world, by storm and taxing the ability to communicate and be productive during a lock- down that kept many at home, many of those on the list stepped into the breach to make sure operations ran as smoothly as possible. Talon Regent in Moose Jaw, Sask. worked on a virtual reality simulator to help lawyers and law students practise their advocacy skills. Meanwhile, Purolator Canada general counsel Sue-Lynn Noel assisted in dealing with the logistics for bringing personal protective equip- ment into the country, furnishing security to the warehouse and facilitating testing by Health Canada. The strong legal response to Covid-19 is also shown in the collaboration between Most Influential winners Tony Loparco, president of the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association, and John Struthers, president of the Criminal Lawyers' Association. The two facilitated the withdrawal of front-line assistant Crowns from court appearances at a time when the official response to the declaration of emer- gency was perceived as inadequate and advo- cated on behalf of incarcerated individuals, whose health and safety were particularly in danger during the outbreak. Another strong theme this year — coming at a time when the Black Lives Matter move- ment, discrimination and the need for better gender balance are generating big head- lines — are the winners who have advocated against systemic bias. Aird & Berlis's Aarondeep Bains, the top vote getter in the Young Influencer category and president of the South Asian Bar Association, focuses on issues tackling minorities. Business category winner Julie Soloway, with Blake Cassels & Graydon, is a competition lawyer who also mentors women in the profession and is co-author of Leading the Way: Canadian Women in the Law, a book that follows the journeys of 50 female lawyers in Canada. OSGOODE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION For one flat annual fee of $895 + HST, learn what you want, whenever and wherever you choose. OsgoodePD's REDe Passport is an unlimited, online subscription that offers you a convenient way to get your CPD. For the cost of one live program, get access to over 500 On Demand programs with materials across multiple areas of interest. Buy now and get CPD credits for 2020 and 2021 - including Professionalism and EDI hours. REDe when you are. Register now at: osgoodepd.ca/rede-now Multiple users? Learn how REDe Passports can benefit your firm or organization. Contact: Bernard Sandler, Program Lawyer bsandler@osgoode.yorku.ca or 416.619.8930 Benefits Include • Searchable. Use key phrases to find information and programming relevant to you. • Flexibility. Viewing is available 24/7 and is mobile-friendly. • Efficiency. Watch an entire program, or only the segments relevant to you. • Breadth. A diverse offering of content from 18 practice areas. • Value. Unlimited access to more than 2000 hours of content and searchable program materials, including downloadable templates and precedents. REDe PASSPORT ANNUAL ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION