The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella

For a significant contribution of a Canadian jurist to the legal profession, the CBA or the public.

The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella, our 2024 CBA President’s Award recipient, has had a distinguished career on the bench. She was the youngest judge appointed in Canadian history and became the first Jewish woman and refugee appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC).

Over the course of her 50-year trailblazing career, Justice Abella earned international recognition as an expert on human rights law. She established the concept of employment equity and developed theories of equality and discrimination that were adopted by the SCC long before her appointment.

Her contributions and unwavering commitment to leadership shaped the profession, including the SCC’s historic first decision on equality rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. CBA President John Stefaniuk, K.C. presented the award to Justice Abella.