Canadian Law Awards – come for the gala, stay for the photo booth

If, by any stretch of the imagination, you need more enticement to make sure to get your tickets for this year’s Canadian Law Awards event set for May 11, here are just two little words to consider – photo booth.

Yes, that’s right, like last year’s triumphant return to in-person gatherings, this year’s gala at the Liberty Grand will have a photobooth, sponsored by personal injury law firm McLeish Orlando LLP. There in its snug little confines, you can put on silly hats and glasses and squeeze in tight with friends and colleagues to get those photographic memories that live on forever – perhaps in infamy.

"Covid taught us how meaningful social gatherings are. It's great that we are able to get together again and the addition of a photo booth not only enhances the event, but the photos guests take with them will provide a tangible reminder of the special evening celebrating excellence in the legal profession,” says Dale Orlando, principal partner at McLeish Orlando.

McLeish Orlando already incorporates a photo booth into its workplace culture, with one regularly appearing at firm functions to help keep alive warm memories.

This is the fourth year for the law awards, which launched in 2020. But it’s only the second time it has been held as an in-person event, celebrating the best legal professionals, firms, in-house teams, deals and cases in Canada’s legal sector.

Here’s just a little taste of what at last year’s event, which had about 500 members of the legal profession and their guests turn out to what was likely the largest gathering of lawyers in Canada last year.

Not only did last year’s attendees show up in their finest to enjoy cocktails and a meal, but they were also on hand to join Excellence Awardees – those who were earlier shortlisted in deal, case and non-deal categories – in finding out who came home the evening’s winners.

The shortlist is put together by Lexpert and Canadian Lawyer staff, using its research resources and relying on the expertise of members of Canada’s legal community. But the night’s winners are selected by an independent judging panel of senior legal leaders. Those who come home with a trophy will be featured in extensive profile-raising media coverage that includes the annual Lexpert Canadian Law Awards commemorative guide.

The gala will be at the Liberty Grand. Cocktails start at 6 pm, dinner and awards from 7:30 to 10:30 pm, and post-event fun from 10:30 pm to …. whenever!

Confirmed sponsors for the awards apart from McLeish Orlando include event partner LEAP Legal Software (Canada); award sponsors Lawson Lundell LLP, Lexis Nexis, Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University and Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP;  and media partners the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto and Women General Counsel of Canada. 

There are 23 award categories focusing on the achievements of lawyers and law firms over the past year.

The shortlist of Excellence Awardees for non-deal and case categories were revealed in March and finalists for the deal categories (capital markets, infrastructure, insolvency and restructuring, mid-market transactions and M&A deal of the year) were unveiled April 19.

The deal finalists are also featured in the Lexpert Special Edition on Finance and M&A, published in the Globe and Mail and online on Lexpert.ca.

There are 23 award categories focusing on the achievements of lawyers and law firms over the past year.

• Capital Markets Deal of the Year
• Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year
• Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year
• M&A Deal of the Year
• Mid-Market Deal of the Year
• Commercial Litigation Team of the Year
• Banking & Financial Services Law Department of the Year
• The Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Transportation Law Department of the Year
• The LexisNexis Canada Award for Canadian Law Department of the Year
• The Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year
• The Dye & Durham Award for Law Department Innovation
• IP Boutique Law Firm
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm of the Year
• The LEAP Legal Software Award for Family Law Firm of the Year
• Boutique Law Firm of the Year
• The LexisNexis Canada Award for Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm
• Regional Law Firm of the Year
• Litigator of the Year
• Managing Partner of the Year
• Pro Bono Initiative of the Year
• Diversity Initiative of the Year
• Female Trailblazer of the Year (In-House Counsel/Private Practice)
• The Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future

Award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang will be acting as host for the evening. She has been covering North America’s top business stories for over 25 years and is currently the host of Taking Stock, a weekly national television news program airing on CTV.

Lang was previously an anchor for Bloomberg Television Canada’s Bloomberg North with Amanda Lang, and previously was the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s senior business correspondent on its flagship program, The National. Amanda also hosted The Exchange with Amanda Lang, a daily business program airing on CBC News Network, and The Lang and O’Leary Exchange, with Kevin O’Leary, before the pair co-hosted SqueezePlay, on BNN, for six years.

Music to get you off your feet and on the dance floor that evening will be provided by the Ascension Groove Band. Members of the band deliver high energy musical entertainment that will help you “rock the house.”

They band have performed on Broadway and have also played in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as on luxury cruise lines of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaska Panhandle.

Known for the authentic sounds of Motown, R&B, Soul Funk, Jazz and Rock, the band also performs in Italian and Spanish.

So don’t risk disappointment by not getting tickets in what is likely the most anticipated – and fun – event in the Canadian legal profession this year. Table reservations and tickets are going fast. Click here to register now.