Ottawa – William (Mick) Ryan, Q.C., of Stewart McKelvey in Halifax is the recipient of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) 2015 Louis St. Laurent Award of Excellence that recognizes distinguished or exceptional service to the objectives and goals of the CBA.
“Mick Ryan has been an active and proud member of the CBA for over 42 years,” noted Analea Wayne, Q.C., chair of the CBA Awards Committee. “His dedication to building partnerships with international legal communities, as well as his involvement in many other CBA initiatives, committees, presentations, and events throughout his legal career is evidence of his energy and enthusiasm for the organization, the profession, and its members.”
Mr. Ryan’s involvement in the CBA began in 1972 as a young lawyer. He chaired the CBA’s national study on the future of young lawyers in Canada in 1974.
He served as member of the Nova Scotia Branch executive, the Nova Scotia and National Chair of the Construction Law Section, National Sections Council member, and National Chair of the Supreme Court of Canada Liaison Committee. In 1989, he was also appointed as the CBA spokesperson for the release of the Marshall Committee Report that provided a groundbreaking condemnation of racism and discrimination in the legal profession and sparked fundamental changes.
Most recently, Mr. Ryan joined the CBA International Initiatives Committee (ICC) in 2010, after having served as Chair of the Supreme Court of Canada Liasion Committee. He became Chair of the ICC in 2013 and continues to hold that position. During his tenure as Chair, he has been involved in initiatives in Vietnam, Bangladesh, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.
He has practised law with Stewart McKelvey since 1972 after completing his masters in England in 1972 and became partner in 1977. Mr. Ryan has worked with clients and advises on a broad range of issues, including corporate and commercial disputes over shareholders, complicated tax matters, property disputes, family matters, trust disputes and construction law disputes, among others.
The Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence was named in memory of Louis St-Laurent, former Prime Minister of Canada and CBA President. It takes the form of a bronze statue of the former prime minister.
Mr. Ryan will receive the award on Saturday, February 21, at the Fairmont Château Laurier, during the CBA Mid-Winter Meeting of Council.
The meeting is open to accredited media. Please contact Hannah Bernstein at hannahb@cba.org for accreditation.
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, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.