Community-nominated Awards
The individual and team award winners were announced at the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA) and Mondaq inaugural Celebration, which was held at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario on October 5, 2023.
2023 Gallery & Winners
CANADIAN IN-HOUSE COUNSEL CELEBRATION 2023
Award Winners
RVA Jones Award
Stephen Rotstein
Past President
Canadian Bar Association
“Through Stephen’s many leadership roles, he has tirelessly fought for the issues that matter to our in-house community.”
The Robert V.A. Jones Award recognizes an exceptional contribution to the development or the promotion of the in-house counsel bar or community, including significant research or writing on related issues, advocacy efforts, etc. It is awarded to a Canadian In-house counsel whose career exemplifies the highest standards of service, conduct and professionalism for in-house counsel.
sponsored by ...
Finalists:
Bindu Cudjoe
Executive Vice-President,
Chief Legal Officer,
Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer and Corporate Secretary
Laurentian Bank
Christine Silversides
General Counsel
York University
In-House Counsel Up & Comer Award
Husein Panju
In-House Counsel
Travel Industry Council of Ontario
“Husein uses his legal expertise and in-house learning to promote accessibility and inspires numerous individuals to do the same.”
The Up & Comer Award recognizes excellence among emerging in-house counsels in the private or public sector. Areas of performance might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, management and leadership of a strategic initiative, resolution of material litigation, mentorship other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, or professional development.
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Finalists:
Christelle Gedeon
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Canopy Growth Corporation
Jason Gisser
Legal Counsel
University of Manitoba Faculty Association
Transition to Business Award
Martin Cossette
Vice President, Corporate Strategy (M&A) and Managing Director, Bell Ventures
Bell Canada
“Martin has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled level of expertise and innovation in his field.”
The Transition to Business Award recognizes an in-house counsel who has transitioned out of the traditional legal role into a business / strategic or leadership role within an organization. This person embodies the sentiment of advancing the organizational goals through the lens of a business or organizational partner, not just a legal advisor. Roles within HR, Risk Management, Finance and others are considered.
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Finalists:
Jennifer Cleversey Moffitt
Chief Administrative Officer
and General Counsel
Belledune Port Authority
Miranda Lam
Chief Legal Officer and Vice President,
Business Development
Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc.
Jeremy Trickett
Former Chief Governance Officer
Great-West Lifeco Inc.
Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award
Bindu Cudjoe
Executive Vice-President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer and Corporate Secretary
Laurentian Bank
“Bindu leads by example, being authentically herself and encouraging others to do the same.”
The Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award honours an in-house counsel or legal department who has shown leadership and commitment towards supporting inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. This award recognizes a law department or individual who has demonstrated a tangible and innovative approach to encourage and promote diverse and inclusive workspaces, either within their organization or more broadly across their industry.
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Finalists:
Corrine Kennedy
Associate Vice-President, Legal (Client Solutions – C.A.R.E.)
The Co-operators Group Limited
Angela Yadav
Associate General Counsel
HSBC Bank Canada
Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award
Kwende Thomas
Counsel
TD Bank Group
“Kwende has helped to create space for others to feel comfortable to explore and openly discuss health and wellbeing concepts.”
The Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award recognizes a legal department or in-house counsel who has fostered wellness for the workforce through a specific wellness initiative. The overwhelming trend towards increased workloads, pressure, stress and anxiety within the legal profession has strained departments, workforces and wellness. This award shines a light on organizational initiatives that are actively addressing these critical issues.
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Finalist:
Kevin Wentzel
Senior Corporate Counsel – Management
VMware
Legal Team Awards
Innovation Impacting the Profession Award
WorkSafeNB
“The WorkSafeNB Legal Team is a true innovator, under the stewardship of Mr. David Luther.”
Innovation in legal department management is not contained to employing technology. It is understanding the organizational objectives, strategy and change management processes that will make innovation successful. More than using new tools or cost saving measures, the Innovation Impacting the Profession Award recognizes a legal department that has truly moved the needle in a way that sets an example for our profession.
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Finalists:
EY Canada
The Corporation of the City of Vaughan
Legal Team of the Year Award
Legal and Constitutional Law Division – Nunavut Department of Justice
“In what are uniquely challenging circumstances … a remarkable level of commitment.”
The Legal Team of the Year Award recognizes a boundary shifting legal team, small or large, that has achieved extraordinary outcomes in our uniquely Canadian In-house community. Beyond large transactions or litigation this award recognizes the unique challenges and successes faced by Canadian departments.
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Finalists:
Brandt Group of Companies Legal Department
Canopy Growth Corporation Legal Team
Cargojet Legal Team
