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Best Lawyers In Canada In 2019

Justice Beverley McLachlin

Chief justice, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.  A frequent member of the Top 25 list along with also the very best vote-getter in years ago, McLachlin proceeds to make waves, handing down two quite important 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 that the Supreme Court of Canada granted declaration of aboriginal title to over 1,700 square kilometres of land.  She's also responsible for upholding the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal at Keewatin v. Ontario (Natural Resources) published in July 2014, she has overhauled what the Lamer court began and has left her mark in this region for decades ahead.  The chief justice continues to be a highly effective proponent of greater justice for all Canadians.  As her incredible number of votes once again this season show, McLachlin is greatly admired not only for her rulings but also her public support in favour of free speech, diversity, and inclusive direction.  What voters had to say: A brilliant judge that, again and again, marries the law with common sense.   Justifiably most respected legal mind in the country; outstanding integrity; trusted public servant; clearly guided by law enforcement and a strong moral compass.

Dennis Edney and Nate Whitling

Defence counsel, Edmonton, Alta. In a rare move, Edney and Whitling are being named as Top 25 honourees as a team.  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 unlikely 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 legal rights at home and overseas.  It's been what the Globe and Mail called waging a war of legal attrition against the government, which has always done everything to paint Khadr as a dangerous terrorist who must be held behind bars.  Edney, a former football player who just started practising law at 40, has become the public and press face of the continuing legal conflicts, even taking Khadr into 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 drive behind the scenes. What voters had to say: Dennis has gone over and beyond the call of duty in his defence of Omar Khadr. The nobility of our profession is dependent on attorneys like Dennis as we are occasionally called on to defend unpopular entities or people -- but people who are no less 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 intelligent and excellent to work with.

Rocco Galati

Rocco Galati Law Firm PC, Toronto, Ont.  Rocco Galati is famous for being a one-man opposition to the current government, so much spending $42,000 of his money on court challenges.  He successfully launched a case that blocked Stephen Harper's appointment of Justice Marc Nadon to the Supreme Court of Canada.  His opposition to the appointment of Federal Court of Appeal Justice Robert Mainville to the Quebec Court of Appeal Wasn't as successful.  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 using a lack of respect for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  He also 's now also been chosen as bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada and it'll be interesting to see what he brings to the regulation of the profession.What voters needed to say: A true Canadian constitutional and human rights hero.

Jean-Pierre Blais

Chairman, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Ottawa-Gatineau Blais isn't scared of criticism and is willing to go above and beyond in the name of customer rights.  A new CRTC decision provides users more freedom to select TV stations of their liking as part of their satellite and cable subscriptions despite bitter opposition from Canada's cable companies.  Blais called out former Bell Media president Kevin Crull, without naming names, over reports Crull told CTV news personnel to not interview him later that decision.  Crull ended up apologizing for interfering in the news gathering process and later stepped down.  From telemarketers to telcos, Blais always aims to encourage the rights and needs of customers. What voters had to say: Achieving big change with consumer-minded focus.   About time!

Frank Iacobucci

Senior counselor, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. This retired justice has set the bar for authorities treatment of the mentally ill.  His 2014 milestone report outlined 84 sound ways of helping prevent shooting of mentally ill people by the Toronto Police.  The implementation of the report would go a long way toward preventing catastrophic confrontations between police and emotionally disturbed individuals.  A few of the recommendations include using body-worn cameras and optimized use of tasers.  The report is a powerful message that the status quo is no more acceptable.  As a Torys counsel, Iacobucci is accustomed to advising government and business on important policy and legal issues. What voters had to say: Has anyone really done more?  and Energetic, not ceases.

Katrina Pacey

Executive manager, Pivot Legal Society, Vancouver, B.C. Pacey was recently appointed executive director of Pivot Legal and continues the fantastic work of her predecessors.  Pivot focuses on issues associated with health, police liability, drug coverage, and homelessness, poverty, and gender workers' rights.  She may be best known for her role at the Bedford situation, but Pivot is more than that and frequently has intervener status in major Supreme Court of Canada cases, including the current one on required minimums.  She's also gifted at bringing on board highly respected counsel to work pro bono on many of these instances that may really influence the lives of a number of the city, and nation 's, most vulnerable citizens. What voters had to say: Unbelievable dedication to social justice at every level with keen enthusiastic intellect.  She's helped alter draconian legislation that threaten the lives of sex trade workers and restore dignity to individuals who've been marginalized.