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56 www.canadianlawyermag.com OPINION BACK PAGE How awards elevate underrepresented lawyers Accolades provide visibility, credibility, and opportunities for those historically left out, which can only strengthen the legal profession Lorin MacDonald is a Toronto-based human rights lawyer, disability/ accessibility advocate, and educator. In 2024, she was a member of Canadian Lawyer's editorial board, which selected the final recipients of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers. legal awards provide validation while facing discrimination or bias, reassure them that their work is valued, and motivate them to strive for excellence. This recognition is significant for sole practitioners who often work in isolation, reaffirming their efforts are being noticed. Legal awards have a broader impact beyond individual recognition. They send a powerful message to other underrepresented lawyers, showing that their work is valuable and they can achieve success. As social justice activist Marian Wright Edelman said, "You can't be what you can't see." These acknowledgements inspire the next generation of lawyers to pursue their dreams and believe in their potential, regardless of their barriers. Legal awards influence the profession by recognizing diverse practitioners, encouraging inclusivity, and driving change. This recognition helps shift norms, promotes more inclusive work environments, and encourages attention to social justice issues. Thus, legal awards are not just about celebrating individual achievements – they catalyze positive transformation within the profession. Legal awards are vital for underrepresented lawyers. They provide visibility, build credibility, and create growth opportunities. Beyond individual benefits, these awards foster diversity, inclusion, and social justice within the legal profession. If you know a lawyer from an underrepresented community deserving of recognition, consider nominating them. It could lead to impactful outcomes for the individual and the legal field. THIS ISSUE of Canadian Lawyer profiles the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers of 2024. As a 2021 honouree, this recogni- tion highlights the significance of awards for underrepresented lawyers – those who are Indigenous, racialized, living with a disability, or part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Beyond personal accolades, legal industry awards help these lawyers by enhancing visibility, building credibility, and opening doors to opportunities while promoting a more inclusive legal profession. For underrepresented practitioners, legal awards provide visibility that is often lacking due to systemic biases. Despite increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, many lawyers outside the mainstream still struggle for recognition. They are frequently forced to pursue sole practice, in-house, or government roles to counteract barriers within traditional firms. Awards elevate their achievements, acting as powerful endorsements that help attract clients and build a reputation in a competitive market. Beyond individual benefits, this visibility helps normalize diversity in the legal profession, pushing the industry toward greater inclusion. Awards can also lead to media exposure, raising the profiles of underrepresented lawyers and opening more opportunities for leadership roles, public speaking engagements, and further professional recognition. Recognition from a reputable institution enhances credibility, especially for sole practitioners who depend on their reputation. Credibility is often challenging for underrepresented lawyers due to biases and doubts about their abilities. Awards offer tangible proof of their competence, helping counter these challenges. This leads to more referrals, higher retention rates, and the ability to command better fees. Accolades help level the playing field, especially for those who do not have the resources of a large firm backing them. An award is not just recognition – it's a testament to a lawyer's expertise and success. In a crowded market, potential clients see awards as quality indicators, making them more likely to choose the recognized practitioner. For underrepresented lawyers who may not have the backing of large firms, this validation helps them stand out and overcome biases. These awards also serve as marketing tools, signalling reliability and excellence to clients, colleagues, and the broader legal community. They help lawyers establish themselves as trusted experts in their field, which can result in business growth and long-term professional success. Awards also open doors to valuable n e t w o r k i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s . A w a r d recipients often receive invitations to industry events and panels, connecting them with other professionals. T his access to exclusive spaces can help underrepresented prac titioners build relationships, find mentors, and explore new career growth avenues that would otherwise be challenging to reach. Awards can lead to mentorship and collaboration opportunities, attracting the attention of seasoned professionals. These connections help underrepresented lawyers gain access to resources and knowledge, enhancing their ability to manage complex or high-profile cases. For many underrepresented practitioners,