Awards & Nominations

CANADIAN IN-HOUSE COUNSEL CELEBRATION 2024

These are the awards for the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA) and Mondaq’s celebration. We look forward to announcing the winners at the gala evening on October 10 in the magnificent Crystal Ballroom at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario.

Nominations will open on April 17 and close on June 19 – follow Mondaq and/or the CCCA on LinkedIn to keep informed.

Nominate Now

Individual and team awards are now closed for nominations.

Shortlist announced: late August

Community-Nominated Award Finalists

We are delighted to announce the finalists for the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA) and Mondaq’s celebration. We look forward to announcing the winners at the gala evening on October 10 in the magnificent Crystal Ballroom at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario.

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Awards

RVA Jones Award

The RVA Jones Award is named after Robert V.A. Jones, an in-house counsel who made significant contributions to the in-house counsel community.  The RVA Jones Award is awarded to a Canadian in-house counsel who exemplifies the highest standards of conduct, professionalism, and service as in-house counsel; has made long-term, significant contributions to the promotion and improvement of the Canadian in-house community; is a champion and advocate of the Canadian in-house counsel community, and is viewed by their peers as a leader and a source of inspiration within the Canadian in-house counsel community.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

Bennett Jones

Finalists:

Donald L. Bjornson
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Manitoba Hydro

Elizabeth Sanderson
 Justice Canada (retired)

Sonne Udemgba
Director, Legal (Securities Division)
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan

Learn More

In-House Counsel Up & Comer Award

The Up & Comer Award recognizes excellence among emerging in-house counsel in the private or public sector who have been called to the bar within the last 10 years. Areas of excellence might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, management and leadership of a strategic initiative, resolution of material litigation, mentorship of other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, or professional development.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

Fasken

Finalists:

Hayley Ha
Manager, Supply Management and Legal Counsel
Vancouver Airport Authority

Kenny Okunola
Legal Counsel, Corporate and Securities
Avenue Living Asset Management

Shea Sanders
Corporate Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer
Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.

Carla Saunders
Legal Counsel
Purolator Inc.

Daniel van den Berg
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
BC Assessment Authority

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Transition to Business Award

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.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

Torkin Manes

Finalists:

Gennady Ferenbok
Corporate Development
Coca Cola Canada Bottling Limited

Mark Guillet, K.C.
President and Chief Executive Officer
SaskEnergy Incorporated

Jacqueline Tsai
Head, Client Relationships (Vice President)
Interac Corp.

Learn More

Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award

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.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

Cassels

Finalists:

James Bond, K.C.
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Governance Officer
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

Hina Latif
Vice-President, General Counsel & Secretary
MBFS and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. (MBC)

Sue-Lynn Noel
Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Purolator Inc.

Learn More

Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award

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.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

Gowling WLG

Finalists:

Luana DiCandia
Director and Senior Legal Counsel, Securities Regulatory & Compliance
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Kelly McDermott
Senior Solicitor, Labour & Employment
Regional Municipality of Durham

Oxford Properties Group Legal Department

Learn More

Legal Team Awards

Innovation Impacting the Profession Award

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.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

Lexis nexis

Finalists:

Julian Perez
Chief Legal Officer
Dentalcorp

Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan Legal Branch

Melanie de Wit
Chief Legal Officer
Unity Health Toronto

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Legal Team of the Year Award

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 legal departments.

Nominations must include examples of activity and outcomes that demonstrate excellence in this category.

sponsored by ...

mcmillanlogo

Finalists:

iA Financial Group

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Red Tape

Royal Bank of Canada

Vancouver Airport Authority

Learn More

The Nomination Form

We recommend that you have all relevant information to hand before you start the nomination process.

Your Details (the Nominator)

All items marked with '*' are mandatory.

Please add first name.
Please add last name.
Please add email.
Please add business contact number.
Please add organization.
Please add title/role.
Are you currently a member of a provincial/territorial law society?*
Please choose an option.
If ‘YES’, which one?
Are you currently a CBA member?*
Please choose an option.
If yes, please provide your member number
Your Nomination, for
Please choose an award.
is ...
Please add first name.
Please add last name.
Please add an email.
Please add a buisness contact number.
Please add title/role.
Please choose one.
Please add organization.
Please state why you wish to nominate this individual for the award (in PDF format).* Maximum 500 words
Please supply PDF.
  1. If the nominee is being considered for an individual award, provide details of service or contribution including various positions or titles held. Provide a brief synopsis of each position and/or professional contribution.
  2. If nominee is being considered for project/initiative award, provide details of the project, objectives, outcomes and the reasons why the project is significant for the in-house community.
  3. If the nominee is being considered for a department award, provide details about the composition of the department, the challenge or obstacle faced, the solution or initiative
Optional: You may include up to 5 additional documents (in PDF format) which support your nomination. These may include but are not limited to: letters of support, testimonials, news clippings, CV, project descriptions.
Seconder One Details (mandatory)
Please add first name.
Please add last name.
Please add email.
Please add business contact number.
Please add organization.
Please add title/role.
Are they currently a member of a provincial/territorial law society?*
Please choose an option.
If ‘YES’, which one?
Are they currently a CBA member?*
Please choose an option.
If yes, please provide their member number

The 'seconder' information provided in this form will be used for the sole purpose of the Canadian In-House Counsel Celebration awards' nominations, judging and informing the seconder about the award status.

Please confirm agreement.
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