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25 TOP MOST INFLUENTIAL Top 3 Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa It's safe to say there will be little debate about Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin's placement at the top of this list. She was arguably the clear-cut No. 1 pick from the start, and our panellists have backed this up by voting her to the top spot. In this day and age, her career is virtually unparalleled. She was the first woman to be named chief jus- tice, making her an obvious trail- blazer. She has led the Supreme Court of Canada for the last 10 years after being first named to the court in 1989. Previously, she served as chief justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court from 1988 to 1989; as judge of the B.C. Court of Appeal from 1985 to 1988; and a judge of the B.C. Supreme Court from 1981 to 1985. As the head of Canada's top court, McLachlin holds the most power- ful position in the judiciary in the country, and is capable of raising debate and handing down deci- sions that will set precedents and, in some cases, change the face of law itself. She is highly respected by members of the legal profession as well as lawmakers and the pub- lic — in short, her level of influ- ence cannot be understated. What panellists had to say: "As a judge, she is simply primus inter pares." "Simply put, no other legal figure commands as much respect as McLachlin. She continues to show that the country's top court is in good hands." 1 www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com A UGUST 2010 27 THE COLIN ROWE