LEXPERT MAGAZINE
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 37
COVER STORY
This year's celebration of Canada's Leading Lawyers
under 40 also honours alumni BY JEAN CUMMING
RISING STARS
THIS YEAR, Lexpert welcomed Rising Stars alumni to its celebration in various ways. is included invit-
ing alumnus Marc-André Blanchard, now Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, to be our keynote
speaker. We took this opportunity to ask alumni, some of whose careers have taken turns since they won:
"What did winning the Award mean to you in your career?"
McInnes Cooper partner Michelle Awad, QC, who would go on to earn more accolades in recognition of
her litigation talents and success, had this to say: "Being named as one of Canada's Rising Stars was a huge
honour. At the time, I knew I worked hard to provide great service to clients, develop my practice skills and
knowledge of the law, and give back to the profession and my community, but I did not have time, or perhaps
the necessary perspective, to step back and assess whether I was making progress on those fronts. e national
recognition by Lexpert gave me both a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to carry on with the high-
est level of dedication."
In general, she added, the Award is "a distinguishing factor for the young lawyers chosen and it comes at a
time when they are trying to build their professional reputations."
