Canadian Lawyer

CRIMINAL/HUMAN RIGHTS LAW Bill Trudell Criminal lawyer, William Trudell Professional Corp./Simcoe Chambers, Toronto Trudell has been a vital and indispensable part of two national endeavours, on the justice system and access to justice, particularly on the criminal side. As its chairman, he regularly represents the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers before Parliament and is always ready to address issues of legislative change and the health of our system of justice. He is a tireless advocate for both protection of our criminal justice system and its reform with a particular passion about the issue of mental illness and addressing those with mental illness who appear in our criminal courts. On this, he has been very vocal in relation to the government's recent omnibus crime bill. Alan Young Associate professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto What voters had to say: "Bill effects change by his quiet, consistent articulation of why change is needed and how change can be effective." On the Top 25 since its inception, Alan Young's case for the legalization of prostitution wins another victory and marches on to the country's top court. He has brought constitutional challenges to Canada's gambling, obscenity, bawdy-house, and drug laws and for more than a decade has provided free legal services for people whose alternative lifestyles have brought them into conflict with the law. He is also the director of the Osgoode Hall Innocence Project, which involves LLB students in the investigation of suspected cases of wrongful conviction and imprisonment. He played a major role in compelling the federal government to take action to recognize the medicinal values of marijuana through his representation of countless people suffering from AIDS, cancer, and multiple sclerosis who had been charged as a result of using marijuana for medicinal purposes. What the panel had to say: "Young continues unabated in his fight for the underdogs in society. " GOVERNMENT/NON-PROFITS/ REGULATORS/ASSOCIATIONS Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, MP for Niagara Falls, Ont. Whether you agree with them or not, you can't deny that the changes to criminal law in Canada, led by Rob Nicholson, are making waves in both the legal profession and among the general public. With its majority, the federal Conservatives have pushed through their omni- bus crime bill, perhaps one of the most controversial pieces of legislation this government has tabled. Nicholson has been at the forefront of selling it and also taking the heat from detractors. With pull behind the scenes, as the Hill Times recently noted: "Nicholson is the vice-chair of the second most influential Cabinet committee, Operations, which is respon- sible for providing 'day-to-day coordination of the government's agenda, including issues management, legislation and House planning, and communications.'" The minister faces some tough court battles with the fight against the legalization of brothels and the future of the assisted-suicide laws likely heading to the Supreme Court of Canada. What the panel had to say: "Nicholson is able to stay on message and push the government's agenda despite the backlash from numerous critics including members of the opposition." www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com A U GUST 2012 33 youNg: toroNto star /steve russell INFLUENTIAL MOST 25 TOP THE

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