Canadian in-house lawyers have once again been named as the top of their field at the International Law Office Global Counsel Awards.
Jeff Davis, Roger Barton, and the legal team from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan received the team award in the category of general commercial legal.
The individual award in the intellectual property category went to Research In Motion Ltd.’s Krishna Pathiyal.
The award ceremony took place in New York June 25.
“We are honoured that we were selected for this international distinction,” says Barton, vice president, general counsel, and secretary of the pension plan. “Teachers' talented legal team, which was recognized for its awareness, depth, and strength in the general commercial category, makes an important contribution to Teachers' leadership position in the pension management industry.
“As general counsel, I’m personally delighted that the members of this dedicated group of lawyers and paralegals have been commended for their effective communication, expertise, and professionalism.”
This year was the third year of the Global Counsel Awards given out by the ILO and the Association of Corporate Counsel. Recipients were chosen from more than 3,000 individual nominations from corporate counsel and law firm partners.
“While tough times have doubtlessly rendered us all more cautious, the core skills required to make great counsel have not changed,” ACC Greater New York chapter president Rosemary Nelson said at the awards ceremony. “During bust as well as boom, great businesses need great in-house and external counsel, and we are fortunate to have both represented here tonight.”
Awards were also handed out for intellectual property, competition, corporate tax, litigation, financial services regulatory, non-financial services regulatory, pro bono, and general counsel of the year.
Hans Peter Frick of the Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. was named general counsel of the year.
Canadian firm Ogilvy Renault LLP sponsors a pair of awards in the mergers and acquisitions and best training program categories.
“Ogilvy Renault is proud to support the Global Counsel Awards, an event that shines the spotlight on the impressive achievements of corporate counsel,” says Ogilvy Renault managing partner John Coleman. “Corporate counsel are key partners in business success and we truly value their excellent work.”
Previous Canadian winners have included RBC Financial Group general counsel David Allgood in 2008 in the regulatory financial services category. In 2007, Daniel Desjardins of Bombardier Inc. was named general counsel of the year.
