VANCOUVER – Patricia Lane, a managing partner at Taylor McCaffrey LLP in Winnipeg, has been named winner of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) 2015 Cecilia Johnstone Award for outstanding work in the advancement of women in the legal profession.
The Cecilia I. Johnstone Award is presented by the CBA’s Women Lawyers Forum (WLF) to recognize women who have achieved professional excellence in their field and influenced other women to pursue legal careers, supported other women in career advancement or opened doors for women lawyers in a variety of professional settings that historically were closed to them.
Patricia Lane’s contributions to her profession, community and society at large make her an excellent role model for women lawyers and women considering a legal career, according to Linda Robertson of Vancouver, co-chair of the WLF.
“There is no doubt she has influenced women to pursue legal careers, supported women in career advancement, and opened doors for women lawyers in job settings that were historically closed to them,” adds Linda Robertson.
“Her work with and for women has been remarkable and longstanding. She demonstrates the highest standards of professional conduct and competence, leadership, commitment, and service to other women both inside and outside the legal profession,” says Linda Robertson.
The award will be presented to Patricia Lane at the WLF conference during the lunch on Nov. 20 at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver.
Patricia Lane has been called to the Bars of Manitoba and Ontario. She began her career at Taylor McCaffrey in 1983, has been a partner since 1991, and has been a managing partner since 2010. She practises in the area of family law with particular expertise in resolving matters through collaborative law techniques.
She has been recognized for her outstanding achievement on numerous occasions, including: “Best Family Lawyer in Winnipeg” for 2015 by “Best Lawyers in Canada;” "Lexpert Zenith Award Celebrating Women Leaders in the Legal Profession" (2013); "CBA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference (SOGIC) Ally Award" (2010); and "Manitoba Bar Association and Pro Bono Public Interest Project Certificate of Recognition" (2005) for representation on cases seeking employment benefits and marriage status for same sex couples.
Established in 2007, the award is named to honour Cecilia Johnstone, an outstanding lawyer, judge, and CBA President, who passed away in 2006.
The CBA is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 36,000 lawyers, notaries in Quebec, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.
- 30 -