{"id":262502,"date":"2026-04-21T13:59:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:59:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/?page_id=262502"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:28:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:28:39","slug":"2025-gallery-and-winners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/canadian-in-house-counsel-celebration-2026\/2025-gallery-and-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Gallery and Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Community-nominated Awards<\/h3>\n

The individual and team award winners were announced at the CBA In-House Lawyers and Mondaq Celebration, which was held at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario, on October 9, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
Reception<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
Celebration<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
Winners<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Award Winners<\/h3>\n

RVA Jones Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Margot Spence
\n<\/strong>Executive Director, Legal & Chief Privacy Officer<\/em>
\nDestination Canada<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Robert V.A. Jones Award recognizes an exceptional contribution to the development or the promotion of the in-house counsel bar or community, including significant research or writing on related issues, advocacy efforts, etc. It is awarded to a Canadian In-house counsel whose career exemplifies the highest standards of service, conduct and professionalism for in-house counsel.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Robert Balcom<\/strong>
\nCorporate Advisor & retired General Counsel \/ Adjunct Professor \/ PhD Candidate<\/em>
\nWittington Investments \/ Ted Rogers School of Management \/ Osgoode Hall Law School<\/p>\n

Sean Sexton<\/strong>
\nExecutive Vice President, Law, General Counsel, & Corporate Secretary<\/em>
\nAlberta Energy Regulator<\/p>\n

Margot Spence<\/strong>
\nExecutive Director, Legal & Chief Privacy Officer<\/em>
\nDestination Canada<\/p>\n

\n

In-House Legal Leader of the Year Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hina Latif
\n<\/strong>VP, General Counsel & Secretary<\/em>
\nMercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The In-House Legal Leader of the Year Award honours an in-house legal professional who has exemplified outstanding leadership, strategic insight, and legal expertise within their organization over the past year. The recipient has made a meaningful impact by driving innovation, upholding the highest ethical standards, and contributing to broader organizational goals as well as the legal and professional community. They have led by example, fostering collaboration and mentorship within their teams. This award highlights the critical role in-house counsel play in advancing organizational success and elevating the legal department\u2019s value.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Sabrina Anzini<\/strong>
\nExecutive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer<\/em>
\ngoeasy Ltd.<\/p>\n

Hina Latif<\/strong>
\nVP, General Counsel & Secretary<\/em>
\nMercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.<\/p>\n

Christina Porretta<\/strong>
\nChief Legal Officer<\/em>
\nBDO Canada LLP<\/p>\n

\n

Transition to Business Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Evan Johnston
\n<\/strong>President and CEO
\n<\/em>The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Transition to Business Award recognizes an in-house counsel who has transitioned out of the traditional legal role into a business \/ strategic or leadership role within an organization. This person embodies the sentiment of advancing the organizational goals through the lens of a business or organizational partner, not just a legal advisor. Roles within HR, Risk Management, Finance and others are considered.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Alaine Grand<\/strong>
\nVice President Market Access & Strategic Customers<\/em>
\nJohnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine<\/p>\n

Bob Gray<\/strong>
\nCommissioner, Corporate Services & Corporate Counsel<\/em>
\nRegional Municipality of Halton<\/p>\n

Evan Johnston<\/strong>
\nPresident & CEO<\/em>
\nThe Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company<\/p>\n

\n

Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kristina Milbourn
\n<\/strong>Managing Counsel, Litigation
\n<\/em>Rogers Communications Inc.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award honours an in-house counsel or legal department who has shown leadership and commitment towards supporting inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. This award recognizes a law department or individual who has demonstrated a tangible and innovative approach to encourage and promote diverse and inclusive workspaces, either within their organization or more broadly across their industry.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Conni Gibson<\/strong>
\nChief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary<\/em>
\nInterac Corp.<\/p>\n

Kristina Milbourn<\/strong>
\nManaging Counsel, Litigation<\/em>
\nRogers Communications Inc.<\/p>\n

Kenny Okunola<\/strong>
\nCo-founder & Director \/ Legal Counsel<\/em>
\nThe ITL Network \/ Information Services Corporation<\/p>\n

\n

Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jobber Legal Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award honours a legal department or in-house counsel that has championed workforce wellness through a specific initiative. Amid increasing workloads and heightened work-related stress and anxiety within the legal profession, this award highlights organizational initiatives that are proactively addressing these critical challenges and fostering a healthier work environment.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jobber Legal Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

goeasy Ltd. Legal and Corporate Affairs Team<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In-House Counsel Up & Comer Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Samson Chan<\/strong>
\nAssociate General Counsel<\/em>
\nLondon Drugs Limited<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Up & Comer Award recognizes outstanding emerging in-house counsel in the private or public sector who have been called to the bar within the last 10 years. This award highlights excellence in areas such as a significant transaction, strategic initiative management and leadership, resolution of material litigation, mentorship of other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, or professional development.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ravipal Bains<\/strong>
\nDirector & Senior Counsel<\/em>
\nBritish Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)<\/p>\n

Samson Chan<\/strong>
\nAssociate General Counsel<\/em>
\nLondon Drugs Limited<\/p>\n

Jennifer Cox<\/strong>
\nLegal Counsel & Manager, Research Contracts<\/em>
\nOttawa Hospital Research Institute<\/p>\n

James Hall<\/strong>
\nGeneral Counsel & Privacy Officer<\/em>
\nNiagara Health<\/p>\n

\n

Legal Team\/Initiative Awards<\/h3>\n

Innovation Impacting the Profession Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Melanie de Wit
\n<\/strong>Chief Legal Officer<\/em>
\nUnity Health Toronto<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Innovation in legal department management goes beyond merely employing technology. It involves understanding the organizational objectives, strategy and change management processes to ensure successful innovation. The Innovation Impacting the Profession Award recognizes a legal department that has significantly advanced the profession, setting a benchmark through impactful practices beyond new tools or cost saving measures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Interac Corp. Legal Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jobber Legal Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

Melanie de Wit<\/strong>
\nChief Legal Officer<\/em>
\nUnity Health Toronto<\/p>\n

\n

Legal Team of the Year Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Beneva<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

The Legal Team of the Year Award honours a pioneering legal team, whether small or large, that has achieved extraordinary outcomes in our uniquely Canadian In-house community. The award goes beyond large transactions or litigation, highlighting the unique challenges and successes faced by Canadian legal departments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Beneva<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fengate Asset Management<\/strong><\/p>\n

lululemon<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Community-nominated Awards The individual and team award winners were announced at the CBA In-House Lawyers and Mondaq Celebration, which was held at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario, on October 9, 2025. Award Winners RVA Jones Award Margot Spence Executive Director, Legal & Chief Privacy Officer Destination Canada The Robert V.A. Jones Award recognizes … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “2025 Gallery and Winners”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":261768,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-262502","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262502"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":262978,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262502\/revisions\/262978"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/261768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}