Award of Excellence

The Award celebrates the accomplishments of a woman who has succeeded in breaking new ground for women in the legal profession in British Columbia. The Award recognizes an exceptional woman who has taken risks, fostered change and ultimately opened doors for women lawyers. In this award we are not only celebrating the woman’s distinguished career achievements, but her outstanding contributions to women in the legal profession as a change agent, leader and mentor.

The Award is administered by the Awards and Recognition Committee of the CBABC Women Lawyers Forum (WLF).

• Consideration will be given to candidates who have successfully advanced changes in the practice of law for women lawyers, including, but not limited to: leadership, mentoring, education, writing, the development of policies, systems, development of new firms, as well as committee work which has enhanced the practice of law for women.
• Consideration will be given to candidates who have worked on issues related to the practise of law for women, issues of retention, upward mobility, firm culture and general advancement of women in law.
• Consideration will be given to candidates who have succeeded in breaking new frontiers for women lawyers, including, but not limited to: positions in professional associations (such as the CBA, LSBC, TLABC, VBA etc.); appointments to boards and commissions; and leadership roles in government and/or business.

Award Recipients
2010/2011 - Margaret Ostrowski, QC
2009/2010 - Kathryn Berge, QC
2008/2009 - Maria Morellato, QC