Top Canadian Lawyers In 2019

Orlando Da Silva

President, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, Ont. Da Silva's heartfelt public confession of a long and profound depression and attempted suicide has opened discussion on mental health within the legal community like never before. While there's a deep-rooted stigma against mental illness facilitated by a dominance of type A personalities, Da Silva's courageous leadership has helped develop technical support programs for attorneys who struggle in silence. Like that was not sufficient, Da Silva has gone one step further and asked lawyers to call him if they require assistance. His supporters emphasise that Da Silva's efforts are critical in an industry that promotes bravado and frequently mistakes mental illness to get a personal weakness. What Republicans needed to say: Mr. Da Silva's bravery in grounding increasingly acknowledged mental health problems in the legal profession within their personal experience will crucially advance these issues among attorneys and lead to positive ends.

Wayne Myles

Counsel, Cox & Palmer, St. John's, N.L. Myles' recent claim to fame is that the $3-billion global merger of Barbados-based Columbus International Inc. with England-based Cable & Wireless Communications PLC.. His M&A experience, together with his dedicated customer connections, haven't only led to the greatest deal in the telecommunications company's history, but demonstrated that significant foreign prices are being deftly managed by an Atlantic Canadian law firm. He also 's also acted as lead counsel and strategic advisor on several acquisitions, licensing, and funding of many subsea and terrestrial telecommunications businesses in the international seafood processing and marketing industry. Myles also advised on aviation issues, on many domestic and international commercial insolvency and restructuring jobs and on energy and transport matters. What Republicans needed to state:[An] excellent lawyer with global vision. Huge asset to any transaction.

Rocco Galati

Rocco Galati Law Firm PC, Toronto, Ont. Rocco Galati is famous for being a one-man resistance to the present authorities, so far spending $42,000 of his money on court challenges. He successfully launched a situation that blocked Stephen Harper's appointment of Justice Marc Nadon into the Supreme Court of Canada. His resistance to the appointment of Federal Court of Appeal Justice Robert Mainville into the Quebec Court of Appeal Wasn't as Profitable. While he doesn't always win, Galati is dogged in his own attempts to defend the Constitution against a government he sees pushing the boundaries with a lack of respect to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He also 's now also been chosen as bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada and it will be interesting to see exactly what he brings into the regulation of this profession.What voters needed to say: An authentic Canadian constitutional and human rights enthusiast.

Fred Headon

Assistant general counsel, labor and employment law, Air Canada, Montreal, Que. As chairman of the Canadian Bar Association's Futures Initiative, Headon has given over 25 presentations to lawyers, law professors, professors, librarians, law firm personnel, and labs from Toronto to Buenos Aires, Victoria to Halifax, in person and online. The Futures report was released in August 2014 and its recommendations put Headon squarely in the middle of many vital discussions on topics essential to the profession. He continues to lead the Futures steering committee as it now turns its recommendations into actions. Headon is an essential component of the debate about the future of this profession and he was the very first in-house counsel to eventually become the president of this CBA. What Republicans needed to say: Brings energy and decency and the smarts to everything he does, go to website.

Justice Beverley McLachlin

Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. A common member of the Top 25 list along with the very best vote-getter in years past, McLachlin continues to make waves, handing down two quite significant conclusions on aboriginal law. The 2014 Tsilhqot'at Nation v. British Columbia decision directed by McLachlin is the first of its type in the history of British Columbia. This past year the Supreme Court of Canada granted announcement of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land. She is also responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) released in July 2014, she has overhauled what the Lamer court started and has left her mark in this region for decades to come. The chief justice continues to be a powerful proponent of justice for all Canadians. As her incredible amount of votes once more this season show, McLachlin is greatly admired not only for her rulings but her public support in favour of free speech, diversity, and comprehensive direction. What voters had to say: A brilliant judge who, time and time again, marries the law with common sense. Justifiably most respected legal mind in the country; remarkable integrity; trusted public servant; obviously guided by law enforcement and a strong moral compass.

Dennis Edney and Nate Whitling

Defence adviser, Edmonton, Alta. In a rare move, Edney and Whitling are being named as Best 25 honourees as a group. Both have spent more than a decade recommending for Omar Khadr, almost universally on a pro bono basis. From Guantanamo Bay to the Supreme Court of Canada (three occasions ), the improbable duo have fought for Khadr to get him released from prison (success in May), have him treated as a child soldier, and continue to battle for his lawful rights at home and overseas. It's been exactly what the Globe and Mail called waging a war of legal attrition from the authorities, that has consistently done everything to paint Khadr as a dangerous terrorist who must be kept behind bars. Edney, a former football player who only started practising law at 40, has become the public and media face of the continuing legal battles, even taking Khadr to his own home after he was recently released on bond. Whitling, a Harvard law graduate and former SCC clerk, is a much quieter and reserved force behind the scenes. What voters had to say: Dennis has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his defence of Omar Khadr. The nobility of the profession depends on lawyers like Dennis as we're occasionally called on to defend unpopular people or entities -- but people who are not as deserving of natural justice and procedural fairness. Whitling is an smart and highly effective advocate who remains out of the limelight. He is a fantastic lawyer. Exceptionally smart and excellent to use.