Ontario Bar Association

The Ontario Bar Association is a bar association representing more than 16,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Ontario. It is also a branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Approximately two-thirds of all practicing lawyers in Canada belong to the CBA.

Established in 1907, the OBA was incorporated on April 22, 1985.^[1] It is a voluntary association for legal members, whereas the regulatory body for lawyers in the province is under the Law Society of Ontario.

An essential ally and advocate for members of the legal profession, the organization promotes fair justice systems, facilitates effective law reform, upholds equality in the legal profession and is devoted to eliminating discrimination. The OBA is also the premiere provider of quality professional development and information to members of the legal profession.

The OBA is headed by a President and a 21-member Board of Directors.

Vision and Mission

"To be indispensable to our members, the legal profession and the administration of justice in Ontario."

As the professional association for Ontario's lawyers, judges and law students, the OBA will:

Advance the interests of our members, the justice system and the rule of law in Ontario;
Be the leading provider of high quality continuing professional development for lawyers throughout Ontario;
Support a network where all our members share their practical experience, knowledge and ideas.

Mandate and Priorities

The mandate of the CBA-OBA is to:

improve the law;
improve the administration of justice;
improve and promote access to justice;
promote equality in the legal profession and in the justice system;
improve and promote the knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession;
represent the legal profession nationally and internationally; and
promote the interests of the members of CBA.

Sections

The Ontario Bar Association has 40 specialty groups, or Sections, that focus on substantive areas of the law and the legal profession. More than 10,000 members participate in Ontario Sections. They are:

Aboriginal Law
Administrative Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Business Law
Canadian Corporate Counsel Association - Ontario Chapter
Charity and Not-for-Profit-Law
Child and Youth Law
Citizenship and Immigration Law
Civil Litigation
Class Actions Law
Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law
Construction and Infrastructure Law
Criminal Justice
Education Law
Elder Law
Entertainment, Media and Communications Law
Environmental Law
Family Law
Franchise Law
Health Law
Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law
Insolvency Law
Insurance Law
International Law
Labour & Employment Law
Law Practice Management
Municipal Law
Natural Resources and Energy Law
Pensions and Benefits Law
Privacy and Access to Information Law
Public Sector Lawyers
Real Property Law
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law
Sole Small Firm and General Practice
Students
Taxation Law
Trusts and Estates Law
Women Lawyers Forum
Workers' Compensation
Young Lawyers Division

Presidents

List of recent Presidents of the OBA:

Kelly McDermott 2023-Present
Karen Perron 2021-2023
Charlene Theodore 2020-2021
Colin Stevenson 2019-2020
Lynne M.J. Vicars 2018-2019
Quinn M. Ross 2017-2018
David L. Sterns 2016-2017
Edwin G. Upenieks 2015-2016
Orlando Da Silva, LSM 2014-2015
Pascale Daigneault 2013-2014
Morris A. Chochla 2012-2013
The Hon. Paul R. Sweeny 2011-2012
R. Lee Akazaki 2010-2011
The Hon. Carole J. Brown 2009-2010
The Hon. Jamie K. Trimble 2008-2009
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM 2007-2008
James C. Morton 2006-2007
The Hon. Heather McGee 2005-2006
Ian Kirby 2004-2005
Jonathan Speigel 2003-2004
Virginia MacLean, Q.C. 2002-2003
James F. O’Brien 2001-2002
Thomas C. Marshall 2000-2001
Susan T. McGrath 1999-2000
Steven F. Rosenhek 1998-1999
William J. Simpson, Q.C., LSM 1997-1998
The Hon. Michelle K. Fuerst 1996-1997
Douglas J. Los 1995-1996
Igor Ellyn, Q.C. 1994-1995
D. Kevin Carroll, Q.C. 1994-1995
Erica L. James 1993-1994
J. Kenneth Alexander 1992-1993
Garth Manning, Q.C. 1991-1992
Thomas G. Heintzman, Q.C., 1989-1990
J. Douglas Grenkie, Q.C. 1988-1999
Harvey J. Bliss, Q.C. 1987-1988
Stephen R. Cameron 1987-1988
J. Alex Langford 1985-1986
Thomas E, Evans, Q.C. 1984-1985
The Hon. Lorraine Gotlib 1983-1984
Raymond J. Ostiguy 1982-1983
John R. Finley, Q.C. 1981-1982
The Hon. Joseph Potts 1980-1981
The Hon. Mr. Justice John R.R. Jennings 1979-1980
William H. Kidd, Q.C. 1978-1979

References

^ "NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NOMINATION - OLD SALEM HISTORIC DISTRICT". Archived from the original on 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2012-12-04.

External links