MBA Recognition Awards

MBA Recognition Awards

2008 Distinguished Service Award Recipient:
David Matas

The award is presented to a member of the Bench or Bar who exemplifies the ideals of service to the legal profession and the community. An Ad Hoc Committee of MBA Past-Presidents reviews nominations received and makes a recommendation, to the MBA’s Executive Committee, regarding the recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Service Award. Both the MBA Past-Presidents and the Executive Committee unanimously agreed that David Matas receive the 2008 Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights as well as his dedication to the affairs of the legal profession in the area of immigration law.

2008 Pro Bono Award Recipient:
Ron Dearman, Mayer, Dearman & Pellizzaro

Is part of the Pro Bono Public Interest Law Project, a unique joint venture between the Manitoba Bar Association (MBA) and the Public Interest Law Centre. The Project was launched in 1996 and encourages lawyers and law firms to donate professional time or funds to enhance access to public interest legal services in Manitoba. Ron Dearman worked with Myfanwy Bowman and Bev Froese of the Public Interest Law Centre on the Thompson Curfew case. This case involved a youth curfew passed by the City of Thompson back in July of 2005. The Public Interest Law Centre and Mr. Dearman filed a challenge to the validity of the Curfew on the basis of sections 15, 7 and 2(d) of the Charter, division of powers and the Municipal Act. Although this case was not necessarily popular with many of the people in Thompson, Mr. Dearman was dedicated to the case and worked tirelessly. Not only did Mr. Dearman contribute in a very important way to the legal thinking and development of the legal case: he was able to obtain very compelling documents from the City of Thompson regarding the process followed in passing the Curfew by-law, he worked with the media, and did most of the on-the-ground work in Thompson. Mr. Dearman's commitment to the case paid off. Within months of filing the Statement of Claim, the City of Thompson agreed to settle and rescinded the by-law. This case is important because its implications extend beyond the City of Thompson. Since the Thompson Curfew case settled, the Public Interest Law Centre has challenged the Portage la Prairie Curfew by-law using similar legal arguments. In November of 2007, the Crown agreed to stay the charges in Portage. The Thompson Curfew case has laid the ground work for other youth Curfew cases that may be addressed in the future.

Recipients of the 2007 MBA Recognition Awards:

Robert Fabbri, Deeley Fabbri Sellen Law Corporation: Community Involvement Award, Awarded to an MBA member who, through involvement in non-legal public service, has enhanced the image of the MBA, the legal profession or the justice system. Presented to Robert Fabbri of the firm Deeley Fabbri Sellen Law Corportation for his exemplary volunteer service. Bob has served as a member of The John Black Foundation for over 10 years, assisted with SPIKE (Special People in Kildonan East) Inc. given his time and talent to the Bronx Park Community Centre, the Good Neighbours Senior Centre, Angus McKay Community School Association, the Angus McKay Nursery School Inc. and the River East Minor Hockey Association (including the Red River Hockey League and the Henderson Park Hockey Association) just to name a few. In quoting from the nomination received for the award, the nominators describes Bob as someone, “Who does work for others with no expectation of accolades. Rather, he is driven by a selfless motivation to help others.”

Richard Lonstrup, Legal Aid Manitoba - Westman Community Law Centre & Scott Abel, Paterson, Patterson Wyman & Abel: Council Member Awards, Awarded to an MBA Council Member deserving special recognition. Presented to Richard Lonstrup and Scott Abel for their contributions as members of the Manitoba Bar Association Council. Since 2004, Rich and Scott have coordinated Law Day activities in Brandon, Manitoba. Law Day is a celebration of the Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Law Day is aimed at educating and informing the public about the role and importance of the law. Since many people have a limited knowledge about the law and how the legal system works, Law Day empowers the public at large. It provides an excellent opportunity for the profession to educate the public about the vital role that lawyers and the judiciary serve in guaranteeing an open, independent and unbiased judicial system. Law Day activities have been held in Winnipeg for over 15 years and the MBA is pleased to now have Law Day activities in Brandon because of the great work by Richard Lonstrup and Scott Abel.

Professor Debra Parkes, University of Manitoba Faculty of Law: Equality Award, Awarded to an MBA member whose actions have contributed to the promotion of equality within the profession. Presented to Professor Debra Parkes. Professor Parkes has worked tirelessly in her promotion of equality, within the legal profession and with the community at large. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of Constitutional and Human Rights Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law and Prisoners’ Rights and she is a published author in these areas of law. Professor Parkes is one of the coaches of the Wilson Moot, an appellate competition in honour of the late Justice Bertha Wilson. Built around section 15 of the Charter, this moot promotes the ideals of equality and diversity. Debra was also the faculty sponsor of a proposal to the Academic Affairs Committee at the University of Manitoba which resulted in the creation of the first Poverty Law course at Robson Hall. As President of the Elizabeth Fry Society, Debra was instrumental in the recent mediated settlement between the provincial government and the Elizabeth Fry Society. The settlement of a systemic discrimination complaint before the Manitoba Human Rights Commission will lead to changes within the justice system that will improve the situation of incarcerated women in Manitoba’s Portage Correctional Centre. In addition to her advocacy work with regard to prisoner rights, Debra will also be participating in a Community University Research Alliance Grant. Led by the Court of Canadians with Disabilities and together with researchers from across Canada various social and economic rights will be examined.

Crown/Defence Conference: Wild Card Award. Is awarded to the MBA member or group whose contributions to goals of the MBA deserves special recognition. This year’s recipient is the Crown/Defence Conference. The conference not only provides a valued educational component but it becomes a meeting place for those involved in the criminal justice system, including lawyers, judges, police, correctional officials and law students. Accepting the award on behalf of the Crown/Defence Conference is Saul Simmonds, Co-Chair of the 2007 Conference.

2007 Distinguished Service Award Recipient:
Professor D. Trevor Anderson, Q.C.

Since 1971 Professor Anderson has been training many generations of law students at the U of M Faculty of Law and has served as both its Associate Dean and Dean. In addition to his public support of the legal profession of Manitoba, Professor Anderson’s consistent encouragement of individuals evidences the kindness and thoughtfulness that is his trademark.

2007 Pro Bono Award Recipient:
Veronica Jackson, Gange Goodman & French

In recognition of her ongoing work with the Public Interest Law Centre (Legal Aid Manitoba) on behalf of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba in its human rights complaint against the Province of Manitoba.

Recipients of the 2006 MBA Recognition Awards:

Dean Scaletta, Manitoba Public Insurance: Headnotes & Footnotes Award, for his contributions towards the "What's Happening" column in Headnotes & Footnotes. This column began in October 2005 and highlights accomplishments and features MBA members on the move. It has quickly become one of the most popular columns in the Association's newsletter.

Stuart Blake, Fillmore Riley LLP: Community Involvement Award, for his exemplary volunteer service to the Winnipeg Humane Society bringing credit to the legal profession. Stuart was elected to the Board of Directors of The Winnipeg Humane Society in 1996 and is currently their Past-Chairperson. In 1999, Stuart assumed the important role of Chair of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee had two significant responsibilities: planning the Humane Society's new shelter and undertaking the Capital Campaign to raise the funds necessary for its construction. The results of Stuart's leadership and personal contribution were enormous. The Humane Society's Capital Campaign raised over $13 million and last year Stuart proudly participated in a sod turning ceremony at the site of the new shelter. Thank you to Ted Bock of Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP and Tony Fletcher of Fillmore Riley LLP for submitting this very worthwhile nomination.

Veronica Jackson, Gange Goodman & French, Sandra Phillips, Barrister & Solicitor and Jacqueline St. Hill, Manitoba Justice: Council Member Awards, for their contributions as members of the Manitoba Bar Association Council in 2005/2006. These three dedicated individuals undertook a complete review of the MBA By-Laws which were approved by the MBA Council in June 2006. Countless hours were spent by these dedicated Council members ensuring the Association has usable, accurate and understandable By-Laws.

Brenlee Carrington-Trepel, Equity Ombudsperson of the Law Society of Manitoba: Equality Award. The Equity Ombudsperson program began as a pilot project of the Law Society of Manitoba in November 2001 and became a permanent program in 2003. Ms Trepel has been the Law Society's Equity Ombudsperson since its inception. The Equity Ombudsperson provides confidential and neutral assistance to lawyers, support staff working for legal employers, articling students and clients who have concerns about any kind of discrimination and harassment. In addition to her personal contacts with lawyers, students, support staff and clients, Ms Trepel also provides ongoing education on respectful workplace issues in a variety of ways. Over the past give years, Brenlee has spent hundreds of hours educating and informing the legal profession and others about the value of treating everyone equally, with respect and dignity. Thank you to Allan Fineblit, Q.C. and Marilyn Billinkoff for submitting this worthwhile nomination.

2006 Distinguished Service Award Recipient:
Dr. Arthur V. Mauro, O.C., O.M., Q.C.

Both in private enterprise and community service, Dr. Mauro has contributed to the economic, social and cultural life of Manitoba. His contributions span the law, higher education, charitable works, health services, advanced research and national and provincial aspects of public policy on sport, Aboriginal affairs, the fine arts and community and business development.

2006 Pro Bono Award Recipient:
Candace Everard, Pitblado LLP

In recognition of her work in advancing the interests of motor vehicle accident victims, particularly those with intellectual disabilities or cognitive impairments, in being reimbursed for rehabilitation expenses under the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act.

Recipients of the 2005 MBA Recognition Awards:

Robert Dawson: Council Member Award, for contributions as a member of the Council of the Manitoba Bar Association.

Diana Cameron: Headnotes & Footnotes Award, for contributions toward the “Criminal Law Decisions” column in the Manitoba Bar Association’s Headnotes & Footnotes publication.

Real Property Law Section, Ned Brown and Kim Joss, Co-Chairs: Section Activity Award, for significant contributions to the goals of the Manitoba Bar Association.

Jon van der Krabben: Wild Card Award, for contributions deserving special recognition.

Patricia Lane: Equality Award, for contributions towards the promotion of equality in the legal profession in Manitoba.

Gail Asper: Community Service Award, for exemplary volunteer service to the community, bringing credit to the legal profession.