Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 31 MOST INFLUENTIAL TOP THE MERCER IS LEADING THE CHARGE for alternative busi- ness structures in the legal profession. With 30 years of litigation practice under his belt, Mercer is well placed to have pushed the debate for change further this year as the working group he leads proposed amendments at the Law Society of Upper Canada that would allow non- lawyers to own up to 49 per cent of a law fi rm. A leader in professional ethics, Mercer is also an LSUC bencher, chairman of the Canadian Bar Association's ethics and professional responsibility committee, and a member of the CBA task force on confl icts of interest. MALCOLM MERCER PARTNER AND GENERAL COUNSEL, McCARTHY TÉTRAULT LLP, TORONTO What the panel had to say: "Malcolm is a leader and an innovator who is deeply concerned about the future of the legal profession." SAKALAUSKAS IS ALL ABOUT EQUALITY. She played an instrumental role in Nova Scotia (and across Canada) in the last few years advocating against the accreditation of the law school at Trinity West- ern University, where students will be required to sign a document promising not to engage in sexual relations outside of a heterosexual marriage. Nationally, she championed a resolution for non- discrimination in legal education at the Canadian Bar Association's mid-winter meeting in February that was passed. She has also urged law societies and The Federation of Law Societies to require all legal education programs to offer equal opportuni- ty to everyone without discrimination. She is currently an executive member of the CBA, Nova Scotia Branch, and active in many areas. AMY SAKALAUSKAS CHILD PROTECTION LAWYER, NOVA SCOTIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, HALIFAX What voters had to say: "Amy is a passionate advocate for equity and justice. She is a constant inspiration to me." SCHMIDT SHOCKED THE LEGAL COMMUNITY when he sued his own ministry and exposed many ethical issues govern- ment lawyers face. After years of trying to get his bosses to listen, Schmidt was ready to lose his job to make public his complaint that the federal government doesn't take adequate steps to vet whether proposed bills violate the Bill of Rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. His whistleblower lawsuit, which is expected to begin later this year, could have dramatic ramifications for government lawyers in Canada by forcing changes to policy. After instigating legal action against the government, Schmidt was suspended without pay and barred from his office. He disputed any wrongdoing and it was agreed the DoJ would not take disciplinary action and he retired May 16, 2013. EDGAR SCHMIDT FORMER GENERAL COUNSEL, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CANADA, OTTAWA What voters had to say: "Courage to stand by your convictions is the hallmark of every public servant and lawyer."

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