Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
Issue link: https://digital.carswellmedia.com/i/834783
LEXPERT MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017 41 | ZENITH AWARDS | who gives birth is a parent, one partner in an LGBTQ couple is frequently a legal stranger to his or her child. Joanna first litigated the issue in Rutherford v. Ontario. She was also key strategist behind Cy and Ruby's Law (Bill 137). Aer the bill stalled in 2015, Joanna launched a constitutional challenge, Grand v. Ontario, securing an interim settlement with the government. Joanna then helped dra the All Families Are Equal Act, which passed with all-party support in late 2016. Audrey Ramsay BLOUIN DUNN LLP TORONTO Audrey Ramsay is a volunteer for Nour- ishHOPE, raising funds for the Interna- tional Justice Mission rescuing women and girls from sexual slavery. An immi- grant daughter of a single mother of six, she was the first black woman to serve as chair of: the Bar Dispute Counsel Forum at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO); the OBA Professional Development Committee, where she ini- tiated a diversity program for all 37 sec- tions and a strategic plan for the expan- sion of Continuing Legal Education; and the OBA Insurance Law Section (2014 to 2016), where she made submissions on the impact of proposed regulatory chang- es to no-fault benefits. She was Chair of OBA Civil Litigation Section (2009 to 2010), which spawned the Franchise Law & Class Action sections. In 2010, she was awarded the OBA Linda Adlam Man- ning Award for volunteerism. Brenda Pritchard GOWLING WLG TORONTO Brenda Pritchard is the undisputed leader of advertising and marketing law in Can- ada. As co-author of the seminal text Ad- vertising and Marketing Law in Canada, Brenda is a driving force in the evolution of advertising and marketing law in Canada. Over three decades, she has trained and mentored many successful practitioners, with particular emphasis on team building, promoting and involving other women. Her charitable work includes "Stay Alert… Stay Safe" and "Women Gaining Ground," where she currently sits on the investment committee. She has been named in Acritas Star (2017, inaugural edition); Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2010 to 2016); Lexpert American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (2010 to 2017); Chambers Canada (2016 to 2017); Chambers Global (2015 to 2017); and e Best Lawyers in Canada (2006 to 2017). She received the Starbucks International Excellence in Diversity Award in 2013. Joanna Radbord MARTHA MCCARTHY & COMPANY LLP TORONTO As co-counsel, Joanna Radbord successful- ly challenged the ban on same-sex marriage in Ontario. Since 2006, she has worked on a pro bono basis to help LGBTQ families secure equal parental recognition. While heterosexual couples benefited from a pre- sumption that the male spouse of a woman Charlene Ripley GOLDCORP INC. VANCOUVER As executive and General Counsel, Char- lene Ripley's contributions to community, company and legal profession are pro- found. Charlene is responsible for Gold- corp's human resources function and a member of its diversity committee. She is a key contributor in setting policy and process and enhancing diversity awareness across the company. She has mandated that high-potential employee selection and hir- ing process all require gender diversity in candidate selection; all language used in job postings be gender-neutral; and that a diverse candidate pool be presented for final selection. She has mandated diver- sity within succession planning and helped Goldcorp cra an ethics and compliance function. She restructured the legal func- tion, including a "make versus buy" proj- ect to determine what legal work should be managed internally versus externally. Charlene is Chair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. Suzanne Rix COX & PALMER HALIFAX Suzanne Rix is a partner and chair of the firm's immigration practice group. She specializes in relocation and retention of foreign workers for regional, national and international companies and assisting cli- ents in applying for permanent residence, retaining permanent-resident status and applying for Canadian citizenship. Since