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.

Elizabeth Sanderson
Justice Canada (retired)
University of Ottawa, Justice Canada, Justice Nunavut

Elizabeth Sanderson has consistently demonstrated throughout her entire career her commitment to the legal profession. Over three decades, she has held numerous positions at Justice Canada. For instance, during the 1990-1992 “Canada Round” of constitutional reform that culminated in the Charlottetown Accord and October 26, 1992 national referendum, she was Justice Canada’s Legal Coordinator. From 2002 to 2010, she was Justice Canada’s Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio, leading coordination of Indigenous legal issues involving the federal Crown across Canada. In fact, in 2002, she was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her work on diversity and employment equity.

Sanderson has also spent considerable time sharing her knowledge through webinars for public sector lawyers and writing books on government counsel, most notably, Government: Duties and Ethical Challenges of Government Lawyers, which details the ethical challenges and duties of government lawyers.

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.

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

After working with the Legal Services Branch of the Government of Manitoba, Shea Sanders moved to Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc. as Corporate Counsel in 2022. She demonstrated her commitment to the profession when she successfully passed the CIPP/C examination and added Chief Privacy Officer to her title in 2023. As the key resource for privacy-related issues within the company, she has been instrumental in developing and implementing privacy policies, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations and advising on best practices for data protection. Her contributions have helped safeguard the company’s reputation and reinforced trust among its clients and stakeholders.

Sanders also contributes to her profession and community, volunteering with West Central Women’s Resource Centre, serving as Chair of the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Manitoba Bar Association and mentoring law students and new graduates, to name only a few of her commitments.

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.

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

Mark Guillet has worked for SaskEnergy since 1990, holding various leadership roles, and in 2023, he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer. Guillet has been recognized many times for his work for Saskatchewan. In 2015, he was appointed to the King’s Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor in Council Exceptional Merit. Likewise, he received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for outstanding service to the province.

Guillet is a recognized leader in governance practices, developing the first TSX-style Governance Scorecard in the Crown sector, recommending the establishment of the first ESG Committee of the Board in the Crown sector, and being the executive liaison for the first Governance and Social Responsibility Committee of the Board in the Crown sector. He is also currently a Member of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of the Canadian Gas Association.

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.

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

James Bond has served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Governance Officer, at the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company since 2021. In 2022 and 2023, he was named a Top 100 LGBT+ Executive as part of a worldwide list of Outstanding LGBT+ Executive Role Models, awarded by a global organization based in London. Since then, he has used his platform to encourage and spread diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging programs at Wawanesa Insurance and other companies around the world.

Bond is the founding executive sponsor of the Pride ERG, where he was able to serve as a mentor to others, and encourage positive changes and equal opportunities for all. His influence is obvious to those who know him and is clearly reflected in the workplace. In 2023, Wawanesa was named as one of Canada’s best diversity employers by Forbes magazine.

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.

Oxford Properties Group Legal Department 

The “One Company, One Team, One Wellness Blue Zone – Path Vitality” initiative was created by the Oxford Properties Group Legal Department in 2023. This initiative was designed around four core principles: eating wisely, moving naturally, having the right outlook, and fostering community connection. Through this, a diverse collection of programs and activities are offered that help facilitate and promote employee wellness.

The Legal Department also initiated Summer and Winter “Someday” Day Challenges in 2023 and 2024 that encouraged team members to take additional days off to pursue personal interests, relax or explore new hobbies. They also host monthly peer-led presentations that cover a wide range of health and wellness topics, and they organize various social activities, including Friday Music Therapy, holiday events and team-building activities. The impact of these wellness initiatives is evidenced by employee survey results: 98% of the legal team members are proud to work at Oxford – a score that is 11% above best-in-class.

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 demonstrated activity and outcomes for the specific initiative.

Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan Legal Branch

In 2023, the Legal Branch of the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) of Saskatchewan initiated the Consumer Disputes Online Dispute Resolution Platform. One integral part of this project was the Consumer Rights Pathway, which provides a platform for consumers and businesses to obtain information and form educated decisions. Another key part of this project was the Online Dispute Resolution Suite, which provides a platform and resources to facilitate negotiation and mediation services.

Through these initiatives and more, the FCCA demonstrates their ability to innovate and make a positive impact in the legal community.

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.

Royal Bank of Canada

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Law Group is a team full of exceptional talent and this talent was evident during the acquisition and integration of HSBC’s Canadian business, RBC’s largest M&A transaction and the largest and most complex in Canadian banking history. Likewise, RBC Law Group continues to be a strategic advisor in the development of RBC’s overall patent strategy and in 2023, RBC was named by Evident AI Index as the top bank in quality of AI-related patents.

Showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement, RBC Law Group’s Learning & Innovation Council provided over 20 training sessions last year. Also, with its long tradition of pro bono work, members served more than 100 clients during the annual volunteer day organized by the Law Group. Finally, the team is involved in a volunteer telephone reassurance program that offers support and friendship to isolated seniors and other vulnerable people.