The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50809
C anadian Lawyer is back with our second annual list of the Top 25 Most Influential in the justice system and legal profession in Canada. Our inau- gural Top 25 was one of our most-read, and most commented-on, features in 2010. As expected, it was contro- versial and lawyers across the country had lots to say about it. We took heed of the comments and this year put our list together slightly dif- ferently, asking for nominations from: legal groups and associations representing a variety of memberships and locations; some winners from last year's Top 25; our general reader- ship; and our internal panel of writers and editors. We received more than 100 nomina- tions, which the internal panel then whittled down to about 55 candidates. We then posted the list online and once again asked our read- ers to participate, with more than 1,300 peo- ple voting in the poll. The final list is based on that poll with input and the last word from the internal panel. The Top 25 Most Influential is not just about bright stars, big deals, or number of media mentions — although those may play a part. What sets our list apart is that we have endeavoured to select the most influ- ential within the profession over the last 18 months. For instance, some lawyers may get the billion-dollar deals but may not have influence in other areas. It's about respect, ability to influence public opinion, and help shape the laws of this country; contribution to the strength and quality of legal services; and social and political influence and involve- ment. This year, we also split the list up into five areas of influence and have chosen the top five in each of: corporate-commercial law; in-house counsel; criminal and human rights law; government, associations, and non-prof- its, including public inquiries and officers of Parliament; and outliers, a catch-all category for anyone who's a lawyer and has been influ- ential over the past 18 months but doesn't fit into the other categories. Nominees were put in the category in which the individuals exer- cised their influence during the time period. As such, law firm leaders who may practise corporate-commercial law but were this year the driving force behind a merger would fit into the outlier category rather than the cor- porate-commercial one. Some of last year's winners are back, such as law professor Alan Young and constitu- tional law legend Peter Hogg, but this year's list also sees a crop of different faces who have been the movers and shakers over the last year to 18 months, including Green party Leader Elizabeth May, Norton Rose OR LLP managing partner John Coleman, and a group of highly respected corporate counsel. There were also a few write-in candidates in our online poll but one deserves mention due to the many voters who suggested him. In the government/non-profit category, Ontario ombudsman André Marin was frequently mentioned for "his incredible leadership, pas- sion for fairness, and care and concern for those who have been disadvantaged by some- times well-intended policies and practices and decisions of government." Another voter said Marin "had an incredible positive impact on government administration in Ontario, act- ing as a catalyst for change in diverse areas, including expansion of the newborn screening program, greater fairness and transparency in property assessment and consumer protection in provincially run lotteries." So without further ado, here are the 2011 Top 25 Most Influential. They are listed with the top vote getter first, followed by the others in alphabetical order. Disagree with the choices? Did we miss someone obvious? Send your feedback to clb. cleditor@thomsonreuters.com. We'll be doing it all again next year. www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com A U GUST 2011 27