Top Canadian Lawyers

Justice Murray Sinclair

Chairman, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Winnipeg, Man. An uncommon write-in candidate winner with this season 's Best 25, Sinclair was among the list last year, making headlines in June with the release of this overview of the report of the TRC along with 94 recommendations to remedy the cultural genocide of Canada's residential college system. Over six decades, Sinclair directed the TRC hearing the stories of more than 7,000 survivors of sexual, physical, and mental abuse. Sinclair, who was the first aboriginal judge in Manitoba, was initially appointed to the provincial court in which he became associate leader in 1988 and then elevated to the Court of Queen's Bench in 2001. He had been co-commissioner of Manitoba's Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in 1988 and presided over a 2000 inquest into the deaths of 12 babies at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre. Sinclair expects to finish the commission's full report in the near future, following which he will choose whether to return to retire or court and advocate for native rights fulltime.

Orlando Da Silva

President, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, Ont. Da Silva's heartfelt public confession of a long and deep depression and attempted suicide has opened up discussion on mental health within the legal community such as never before. While there's a deep-rooted stigma against mental illness eased by a dominance of type A personalities, Da Silva's brave leadership has helped develop specialized support programs for lawyers who struggle in silence. Like that was not sufficient, Da Silva has gone one step farther and asked lawyers to call him if they need assistance. His supporters underline that Da Silva's efforts are crucial in an industry that promotes bravado and frequently mistakes mental illness for a personal weakness. What voters had to say: Mr. Da Silva's bravery in grounding increasingly recognized mental health issues in the legal profession within their personal experience will crucially advance these concerns among lawyers and cause positive ends, Sexual assault lawyer in Toronto here.

Wayne Myles

Counsel, Cox & Palmer, St. John's, N.L. Myles' recent claim to fame is the $3-billion international merger of Barbados-based Columbus International Inc. with England-based Cable & Wireless Communications PLC.. His M&A expertise, combined with his dedicated customer relationships, haven't only led to the largest deal in the telecommunications company's history, but revealed that major international prices are being deftly handled by an Atlantic Canadian law firm. He also 's also acted as lead counsel and tactical adviser on several acquisitions, licensing, and funding of many subsea and terrestrial telecommunications businesses in the global seafood processing and marketing sector. Myles also advised on aviation issues, on many national and international business insolvency and restructuring jobs and on power and transportation matters. What Republicans needed to state:[An] excellent lawyer with global vision. Massive advantage to any transaction.

Dawn Devoe

General counsel, World Vision Canada, Toronto, Ont. Devoe is World Vision's key legal advisor for the No Child for Sale advocacy campaign aimed at stopping child labor and human trafficking. As lead counsel for the Canadian discussions regarding World Vision's partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme, she has represented the organization in global partnership meetings in South Africa, Kenya, and the Philippines. This venture accounts for more than $30 million of annual food help programmed through World Vision Canada. With projects in nearly 100 nations throughout the world, Devoe oversees a busy legal department and has managed to stay nimble and flexible. What voters had to say: Amazing lawyer and individual. She not only has a passion for the legislation, but also cares deeply for others and demonstrates that in her job. Outstanding legal counsel, very inventive problem solver, capable to incorporate legal and taxation legislation into a beneficial remedy to most parties.