Top Canadian Lawyers In 2018

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 important decisions on aboriginal law. The 2014 Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia decision directed by McLachlin is the earliest of its type in the history of British Columbia. Last year that the Supreme Court of Canada granted declaration of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land. She's responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal at Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) published in July 2014, she has what the Lamer court started and has left her mark in this area for decades to come. The chief justice continues to be a powerful proponent of greater justice for all Canadians. As her unbelievable amount of votes once again this season reveal, McLachlin is greatly admired not just for her rulings but her public aid in favour of free speech, diversity, and comprehensive leadership. What voters had to say: An excellent judge who, again and again, marries the legislation with common sense. Justifiably most respected legal mind in the country; remarkable integrity; trusted public servant; obviously guided by the law and also a strong moral compass.

Lorne Waldman

Waldman & Associates, Toronto, Ont. Waldman is a great defender of refugees, immigrants, and human rights. He's won a number of important successes, such as health care for refugees in Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care v. Canada and a female 's best to wear the niqab whilst making her citizenship oath at Ishaq v. Canada together with his associate Naseem Mithoowani. He also argued at the Supreme Court of Canada at J.P. v. Canada and G.J. v. Canada, that Canada's anti-human smuggling provisions should consist of asylum seekers participating in mutual assistance. In addition to Peter Edelmann, he acted on behalf of the CBA from the Harkat case before the SCC at 2014. On the international stage, he represents Mohamed Fahmy (along with Amal Clooney), the Canadian journalist working for Al Jazeera. He has also been a vocal opponent of Bill C-51 and modifications to Canada's citizenship law. What Republicans needed to say: Lorne educated us all, particularly now, to preserve democracy and to maintain the rule of law.

Justice Ian Nordheimer

Judge, Ontario Supreme Court, Toronto, Ont. Nordheimer's name is becoming synonymous with class action suits mostly due to his ruling, which overturned Justice Edward Belobaba's decision in a high-profile case on carriage at the Barrick Gold class action lawsuit. Nordheimer granted the losing coalition of law firms leave to appeal Belobaba's decision in the Divisional Court. He is probably the most influential Superior Court degree judge in the nation using a decade on the seat and produces perhaps the best number of comprehensive judgments every year in comparison to some trial level judge. He is famous for his quick wit and sharp decisions. In the past year, Nordheimer has made a significant splash from the legal community by imitating a professional discipline penalty for current LSUC bencher Joe Groia and releasing data which demonstrated Rob Ford was the subject of a police investigation.What the panel had to say: He is the sort of judge who should be about the Court of Appeal... or greater. A judge of absolute integrity.

Poonam Puri

Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ont. Though Puri may not be involved from the largest transactions of this year or many publicized litigation, her perform indelibly shapes the disagreements and strategies of several attorneys. Her influence is reflected by the eagerness of the Canadian legal community to listen and respond to her perspectives and observations on the present condition of the law and recommendations concerning what could be done to develop a more honest, just, and responsive legal system. She has led research programs including significant company securities law initiatives in Canada (National Securities Regulator document ) and has been recently appointed by the Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, since the expert adviser for its Credit Unions' legislative acts review. She's a respected and popular professor and highly regarded by professionals in the corporate-commercial bar. What voters had to say: Exceptional gift. Unassuming trendsetter. Wise beyond her years. Will be an impact for several years to come on the corporate stage in Canada. Outstanding research and practical capabilities.