Community-nominated Awards
The individual and team award winners were announced at the CBA In-House Lawyers and Mondaq Celebration, which was held at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario, on October 9, 2025.
Winners
CANADIAN IN-HOUSE COUNSEL CELEBRATION 2025
Award Winners
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. This award celebrates a Canadian in-house counsel who exemplifies the highest standards of conduct, professionalism, and service as in-house counsel. The recipient will be an individual who has made long-term, significant contributions to the promotion and advancement of the Canadian in-house community. They will be a champion and advocate of the Canadian in-house community, and viewed by their peers as a leader and a source of inspiration.
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Finalists:
Robert Balcom
Corporate Advisor & retired General Counsel / Adjunct Professor / PhD Candidate
Wittington Investments / Ted Rogers School of Management / Osgoode Hall Law School
Sean Sexton
Executive Vice President, Law, General Counsel, & Corporate Secretary
Alberta Energy Regulator
Margot Spence
Executive Director, Legal & Chief Privacy Officer
Destination Canada
In-House Legal Leader of the Year Award
Hina Latif
VP, General Counsel & Secretary
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
The In-House Legal Leader of the Year Award honours an in-house legal professional who has exemplified outstanding leadership, strategic insight, and legal expertise within their organization over the past year. The recipient has made a meaningful impact by driving innovation, upholding the highest ethical standards, and contributing to broader organizational goals as well as the legal and professional community. They have led by example, fostering collaboration and mentorship within their teams. This award highlights the critical role in-house counsel play in advancing organizational success and elevating the legal department’s value.
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Finalists:
Sabrina Anzini
Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer
goeasy Ltd.
Hina Latif
VP, General Counsel & Secretary
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Christina Porretta
Chief Legal Officer
BDO Canada LLP
Transition to Business Award
The Transition to Business Award recognizes an in-house counsel who has successfully moved beyond a traditional legal role within an in-house legal department to take on a business, strategic or leadership position within an organization, outside of the legal department. This individual exemplifies the ability to advance organizational goals from the perspective of a business or organizational partner, rather than solely as a legal advisor. Roles within HR, Risk Management, Finance and others are considered.
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Finalists:
Alaine Grand
Vice President Market Access & Strategic Customers
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
Bob Gray
Commissioner, Corporate Services & Corporate Counsel
Regional Municipality of Halton
Evan Johnston
President & CEO
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award
The Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award honours an in-house counsel or legal department that has exhibited exceptional leadership and commitment towards fostering inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. This award recognizes those who have implemented tangible and innovative strategies to encourage and promote diverse and inclusive work environments, either within their organization or more broadly across their industry.
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Finalists:
Conni Gibson
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Interac Corp.
Kristina Milbourn
Managing Counsel, Litigation
Rogers Communications Inc.
Kenny Okunola
Co-founder & Director / Legal Counsel
The ITL Network / Information Services Corporation
Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award
The Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award honours a legal department or in-house counsel that has championed workforce wellness through a specific initiative. Amid increasing workloads and heightened work-related stress and anxiety within the legal profession, this award highlights organizational initiatives that are proactively addressing these critical challenges and fostering a healthier work environment.
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Finalists:
Jobber Legal Department
goeasy Ltd. Legal and Corporate Affairs Team
In-House Counsel Up & Comer Award
The Up & Comer Award recognizes outstanding emerging in-house counsel in the private or public sector who have been called to the bar within the last 10 years. This award highlights excellence in areas such as a significant transaction, strategic initiative management and leadership, resolution of material litigation, mentorship of other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, or professional development.
The winner receives complimentary registration to CBA In-House Lawyers’ prestigious Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel at the Rotman School of Management, which equips in-house lawyers with the business, leadership and financial skills to deliver greater strategic value.
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Finalists:
Ravipal Bains
Director & Senior Counsel
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
Samson Chan
Associate General Counsel
London Drugs Limited
Jennifer Cox
Legal Counsel & Manager, Research Contracts
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
James Hall
General Counsel & Privacy Officer
Niagara Health
Legal Team/Initiative Awards
Innovation Impacting the Profession Award
Innovation in legal department management goes beyond merely employing technology. It involves understanding the organizational objectives, strategy and change management processes to ensure successful innovation. The Innovation Impacting the Profession Award recognizes a legal department that has significantly advanced the profession, setting a benchmark through impactful practices beyond new tools or cost saving measures.
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Finalists:
Interac Corp. Legal Department
Jobber Legal Department
Melanie de Wit
Chief Legal Officer
Unity Health Toronto
Legal Team of the Year Award
The Legal Team of the Year Award honours a pioneering legal team, whether small or large, that has achieved extraordinary outcomes in our uniquely Canadian In-house community. The award goes beyond large transactions or litigation, highlighting the unique challenges and successes faced by Canadian legal departments.
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Finalists:
Beneva
Fengate Asset Management
lululemon
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors for their generous support
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