Top Canadian Lawyers In 2020

Pascale Fournier

Professor & study chair, legal pluralism and comparative law, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Ottawa, Ont. Fournier has achieved international fame for her groundbreaking work on gender, faith, and the legislation, using fieldwork interviews with women from various countries to highlight the complex interplay between spiritual and secular law. She's received numerous national and international awards and nominations in 2014. Fournier became a fellow of the prestigious International Women's Forum for her role as a leader in the legal profession; receiving the Canada-Arab Chamber of Commerce Award for academic excellence and contribution to humankind. Fournier represented the University of Ottawa as a successful leader in the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference and has been appointed by the National Assembly of Quebec to the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission. What voters had to say: Outstanding thoughts, according [to] Harvard's Prof. Kennedy.

Frank Iacobucci

Senior counselor, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. This retired justice has set the bar for police treatment of the mentally ill. His 2014 landmark report summarized 84 sound ways of helping to prevent shooting of mentally ill people by the Toronto Police. The execution of the report would go a long way toward avoiding disastrous confrontations between police and emotionally disturbed individuals. Some of the recommendations include using body-worn cameras and enhanced use of tasers. The report is a strong message that the status quo is no longer acceptable. As a Torys counsel, Iacobucci is accustomed to advising government and business on important policy and legal issues. What Republicans needed to say: Has anybody actually done more? and Energetic, never ceases.

Poonam Puri

Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ont. Though Puri might not be involved in the biggest transactions of this year or most publicized lawsuit, her work indelibly shapes the arguments and strategies of several lawyers. Her influence is reflected by the eagerness of the Canadian legal community to listen to and respond to her viewpoints and observations on the current state of regulations and recommendations concerning what could be done in order to develop a more honest, just, and responsive legal system. She has directed research plans including significant corporate securities regulation initiatives in Canada (National Securities Regulator file) and has been appointed by the Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, since the expert adviser for the Credit Unions' legislative framework review. She is a popular and respected professor and highly recognized by professionals in the corporate-commercial bar. What Republicans needed to say: Exceptional talent. Unassuming trendsetter. Wise beyond her years. Will be an impact for several years to come on the corporate phase in Canada. Outstanding research and technical skills, temporary work permits in canada.

Sheila Block

Partner, Torys LLP, Toronto, Ont. Among the sharpest litigators in the country, Block has served as lead counsel on a recently discounted $5-billion class action lawsuit against CIBC plus a $100-million lawsuit brought by roughly 8,000 inhabitants of Barbados against Manulife. She was also staunch counsel for former Manitoba associate chief justice Lori Douglas in the inquiry of this judge's role in a scandal involving her deceased husband, one of his former customers, and salacious photographs of herself posted on the internet. Block also received an honorary LLD from the Law Society of Upper Canada this past year. An advocate dedicated to teaching law in Canada and across the world, she's coached advocates for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda and the Special Court on Sierra Leone. What Republicans needed to say: Elle demontre son interet a la fois pour l'education du publique et des affaires. (She's shown her fascination for the education of the public and business.)