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www.canadianlawyermag.com 21 • Participation in the legal team in the precedent-setting case of Director of Civil Forfeiture v. Angel Acres at the British Columbia Court of Appeal, testing the constitutionality of the province's civil forfeiture laws • A commitment to access to justice, as evidenced by his pro bono work in repre- senting the British Columbia Civil Liber- ties Association and the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society • Taking a public stand condemning a peti- tion challenging the Law Society of Alber- ta's course on promoting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples " There are many deserving lawyers from historically disadvantaged groups who haven't been recognized and probably should be due to our profession being slow to recognize," explains Song. "Without ques- tion, I think we need to put those lawyers in those spaces, and I just hope I can contribute to that by helping some of them find those spaces." "Lean into what you're doing and what you're passionate about; what you can achieve comes over a long period that you build upon" David Palumbo, Baker McKenzie IN PRAISE OF THE TOP 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS OF 2023 Indigenous rights advocate – Katherine Hensel Once the partner and Indigenous prac- tice group co-chair at Fogler, Rubinoff LLP began to appreciate fully the colonizing role of Canadian courts, she shifted her special- ized litigation practice. Hensel dedicated herself to working on behalf of Indigenous communities to emphasize the inherent jurisdiction of Indigenous peoples. Hensel has substantially contributed to Indigenous nations, families, and Awanish Sinha: "He has had an outsized impact on the evolution of law over the last decade. Smart, thoughtful, and funny, Awi is an influencer." Christian Lim: "Christian's work to protect animals and human victims of violence has been cutting-edge, advancing the courts' understanding of abuser tactics and the jurisprudence on fit sentences." Daniel J. Song: "He has emerged as a leading criminal counsel, having argued more cases than anyone else in the Supreme Court of Canada in the last 18 months." David Palumbo: "He has been a tireless champion for 2SLGBTQI+ rights in the legal profession and as board chair of You Can Play. He has been a top influencer at Baker McKenzie nationally and globally." Ed Waitzer: "He is recognized as Canada's preeminent dean of securities and governance laws." George Strathy: "He stands out notably for his active and enthusiastic support for equity and diversity in the bar and on the bench and his advocacy for mental health and wellness in the legal profession." Gillian Hnatiw: "An accomplished litigator and one of Canada's foremost practi- tioners in sexual assault, harassment, and violence, including claims for voyeurism and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images." Jacqueline Dinsmore: "Jackie's voracious intellect, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to making the world a better place is demonstrated through her ambi- tious, courageous redesign of the legal sector model." Janice Rubin: "A trailblazing lawyer making a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing human rights violations, harassment, discrimination, and violence." Jennifer L. King: "A formidable litigator and advocate, Jennifer is a joyous and inclusive presence whose work often deals with issues of national significance in environmental law and climate change, constitutional law, public health, land use and municipal law, and Indigenous rights." Karl Tabbakh: "Leadership, inspiring, visionary, exemplary, and consummate professional are all words that pop immediately to mind when Karl's name comes up; an amazing ambassador and a deal maker extraordinaire that belongs with the greats that this country has to offer." Katherine Hensel: "A passionate advocate for the assertion of Indigenous and treaty rights, the duty to consult, and child welfare matters."