Legal mobile apps in 2020

President, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, Ont. Da Silva's heartfelt public confession of a long and deep depression and attempted suicide has started discussion on mental health over the legal community such as never before. While there's a deep-rooted stigma against mental illness facilitated by a dominance of type A personalities, Da Silva's brave leadership has helped develop specialized support programs for lawyers who battle in silence. Like this was not enough, Da Silva has gone one step farther and asked lawyers to call him if they require support. His supporters underline that Da Silva's efforts are critical in an industry that promotes bravado and frequently mistakes mental illness to get a personal weakness. What voters had to say: Mr. Da Silva's bravery in grounding increasingly acknowledged mental health problems in the legal profession within their personal experience will advance these concerns among attorneys and cause positive ends, go to website.

Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa, Ont. Stratas penned perhaps the most talked-about choice in the region of employment law this year. It will affect federally regulated employers and employees for years to come. His February Federal Court of Appeal decision in Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada flies in the face of 40 decades of legislation permitting federally regulated employers to dismiss workers without cause. Before the conclusion, the consensus was the employees who are governed by the Canada Labour Code could only be terminated for just cause. Many federally regulated organizations such as banks, telecommunications companies, and transport businesses view the choice a success, due to its long-term effects. The court has to be a tie-breaker on this issue, composed Stratas. Because of its impact, Joseph Wilson registered for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada in late March. A decision on leave is pending. What Republicans needed to say: He's the greatest administrative law jurist of the age. The single one moving deep into philosophy, making sense of everything. Thoughtful, scholarly, practical, and so hard working. Connected to the past, it seems the instances that have a real effect from the Federal Court of Appeal are written by him. Plain speaking decisions actually hammer the essential points home.

Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ont. Although Puri may not be involved from the biggest transactions of the year or most publicized lawsuit, her work indelibly shapes the disagreements and strategies of many attorneys. Her influence is reflected by the eagerness of the Canadian legal community to listen to and respond to her viewpoints and observations on the present state of regulations and recommendations regarding what could be done to develop a more honest, just, and responsive legal system. She has directed research programs including important company securities regulation initiatives in Canada (National Securities Regulator document ) and has been appointed by the Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, since the expert adviser for its Credit Unions' legislative acts review. She's a popular and respected professor and highly recognized by practitioners in the corporate-commercial bar. What Republicans needed to say: Outstanding 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 technical skills.

Defence counsel, Edmonton, Alta. In a rare move, Edney and Whitling are being termed as Best 25 honourees as a team. Both have spent over a decade advocating for Omar Khadr, almost universally on a pro bono basis. From Guantanamo Bay to the Supreme Court of Canada (three times), the unlikely duo have fought for Khadr to have him released from prison (victory in May), have him treated as a child soldier, and continue to battle for his legal rights at home and abroad. It's been exactly 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 soccer player who just started practising law at 40, has been the public and press face of the continuing legal conflicts, even taking Khadr into his home after he had been recently released on bail. Whitling, a Harvard law graduate and former SCC clerk, is a much more quiet and reserved drive behind the scenes. What Republicans needed to say: Dennis has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his defence of Omar Khadr. The nobility of our profession depends on attorneys like Dennis as we are occasionally called on to defend unpopular people or entities -- but people who are no less deserving of natural justice and procedural fairness. Whitling is an smart and extremely effective advocate who stays out of the limelight. He's a excellent lawyer. Exceptionally smart and excellent to use. We are here.