Best Lawyers In Canada

Jean-Pierre Blais

Chairman, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Ottawa-Gatineau Blais isn't afraid of criticism and is prepared to go above and beyond in the name of consumer rights, real estate lawyer in toronto‌. A new CRTC decision provides users more freedom to choose TV channels of their liking as part of the cable and satellite subscriptions despite bitter opposition from Canada's cable companies. Blais known as former Bell Media president Kevin Crull, without naming names, over reports Crull told CTV news staff to not interview him after that decision. Crull ended up apologizing for interfering in the news gathering process and afterwards stepped down. From telemarketers to telcos, Blais consistently aims to encourage the rights and demands of customers. What Republicans needed to say: Achieving big change with consumer-minded focus. About time!

Dennis Edney and Nate Whitling

Defence counsel, Edmonton, Alta. In a rare move, Edney and Whitling have been named as Best 25 honourees as a team. Both have spent more than a decade advocating for Omar Khadr, nearly universally on a pro bono basis. From Guantanamo Bay to the Supreme Court of Canada (three times), the improbable duo have fought for Khadr to have him released from prison (success in May), have him treated as a child soldier, and otherwise continue to fight for his legal rights at home and abroad. It's been exactly what the Globe and Mail called waging a war of legal attrition against the authorities, which has consistently done everything to paint Khadr as a dangerous terrorist who must be held behind bars. Edney, a former soccer player who just started practising law in 40, has been the public and media face of the continuing legal battles, even taking Khadr to his home after he had been recently released on bond. Whitling, a Harvard law graduate and former SCC clerk, is a much quieter and reserved drive behind the scenes. What voters had to say: Dennis has gone over and beyond the call of duty in his defence of Omar Khadr. The nobility of the profession is dependent on lawyers like Dennis as we're occasionally called upon to defend unpopular people or entities -- but individuals who are no less deserving of natural justice and procedural fairness. Whitling is an smart and extremely effective advocate who remains out of the limelight. He's a excellent lawyer. Exceptionally intelligent and excellent to use.

Alice Woolley

Professor and associate dean-academic, University of Calgary Faculty of Law, Calgary, Alta. Woolley is a true changemaker in the area of technology and law as well as law regulation. She's been a valuable member of the Canadian Bar Association's integrity and professional responsibility committee. Her work with the CBA Futures project as an ethics and regulatory problems team member is truly making a mark at the legal community. Woolley is also responsible for sweeping educational changes as chairwoman of the committee that developed and embraced significant curricular changes in the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law, which concentrate on the practical elements of legal education and will come into effect in September. What Republicans needed to say: top expert on legal profession and integrity; when she speaks, people listen. Alice is a visionary. Educating law students in a way that will prepare them for a 21st century practice is of critical importance to the future of our profession.

Sheila Block

Partner, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. One of the sharpest litigators in the nation, Block has served as lead counsel on a newly dismissed $5-billion class action lawsuit against CIBC plus a $100-million lawsuit brought by approximately 8,000 residents of Barbados against Manulife. She was also staunch counsel for former Manitoba associate chief justice Lori Douglas in the inquiry of this judge's character in a scandal involving her husband, one of his former clients, and salacious photos of herself submitted online. Block additionally received an honorary LLD from the Law Society of Upper Canada this year. An urge dedicated to teaching law in Canada and across the world, she has trained advocates for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda and the Special Court in Sierra Leone. What voters had to say: Elle demontre son interet a la fois pour l'education du publique et des affaires. (She has shown her fascination to the instruction of the general public and business.)

Wayne Myles

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