Celebrating the Stars of Canada’s Defence Bar in 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
The Canadian Defence Lawyers (CDL) presented three Annual Awards at the 2024 President’s Dinner last night at the Novotel Toronto Centre.
CDL’s Annual Awards recognize excellence in, and contribution to the Canadian Legal Profession, by a member of the Defence Bar. The Awards and Winners are:
2024 Lee Samis Award: Marcus Snowden, Principle, Snowden Law Professional Corporation
The Lee Samis Award of Excellence is named for CDL’s Founding President. Each year CDL recognizes a member who has made exceptional contributions to; the legal profession in general, jurisprudence in Canada on the law of Insurance; law or development of the law of Insurance in Canada; or a significant law-related benefit to CDL and/or the Insurance Industry.
The 2024 Recipient of the Samis Award was described by a current CDL Board Member as ‘a giant in the industry’ active in CDL and related associations for several decades, Marcus is a highly regarded and respected voice on Insurance Law and Defence. In 2024 Mr. Snowden chaired the sold out 20th Annual Canadian Defence Lawyers Insurance Coverage Symposium, and is the Canadian Regional Representative to DRI.
“I am very honoured to be nominated by David McKenzie and truly grateful for this peer recognition. To be included in the company of past award recipients, such as Tom McGrenere, KC, Madam Justice Sandra Corbett, the late Graham Dutton, KC, Heather Sanderson, KC, Geoff Adair, KC and other leaders of the Canadian bar is truly humbling. I also stand on the shoulders of those in the Canadian and US insurance coverage bar from whom I’ve learned so much, including my co-author Mark G. Lichty, Gordon Hilliker, KC and practitioners south of the border such as Dan Kohane, Andy Downs, Barbara O’Donnell, Michael Aylward, Shaun McParland Baldwin, Thomas R. Newman and Tom Segalla. Finally, I could not continue to do what I do without the unqualified support of my spouse Pearl Rombis and our blended family.” – Marcus Snowden, 2024 Lee Samis Award of Excellence Winner.
Previous Lee Samis Award Winners Are:
2023: Stephen J. May, KC
2022: David Festeryga
2021: John Barry, ONN, KC
2020: Alison Murray, KC
2019: Eric Grossman
2018: Patricia Armstrong, KC
2017: Clarence Beckett, KC
2016: Paul Tushinski
2015: Dennis Quinlan, KC
2014: Sandra Corbett, KC
2013: Geoff Adair, KC
2012: Heather Sanderson
2011: Jan Lindsay, KC
2010: David Hashey, KC
2009: Mary Helen Wright
2008: Rick Davison, KC
2007: Graham Dutton, KC
2006: Richard Lindsay, KC
2005: Harrison Arrell
2004: Thomas McGrenere
2003: David Miller KC
2002: Philippa Samworth
2024 Philippa G. Samworth Award: Krista Springstead, Founder and Managing Partner, Bruder Springstead LLP
The Philippa G. Samworth Award for Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession is named for one of CDL’s founding members. Each year the CDL recognizes a member show has demonstrated; commitment to advocating the inclusion and promotion of women in the legal profession through activity has a visible, tangible or measurable impact on the perception of attitude toward, and respect for the treatment of women, and fostering women’s initiatives and promoting positive mentoring relationships with other women in the legal profession; and/or leadership in the development of measures to fight gender discrimination and prejudice in the profession.
The 2024 Recipient of the Samworth Award is a founder and managing partner at one of the few female-led boutique litigation firms in Canada. Krista received notable letters of support from Associate Justice Gillian Eckler, as well as from the award’s namesake Philippa Samworth.
“It is with the utmost appreciation that I humbly accept the Philippa G. Samworth Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession. I am indebted to Philippa and all of the other women trailblazers who have confidently carved the path ahead for female litigators. I am very proud to be a woman in the legal profession and continue to be inspired by my peers, partners, colleagues and all of the amazing younger female talent. It is with sincere gratitude that I thank the CDL and my partner and nominator, Louis Covens, for thinking me worthy of such a prestigious award.” – Krista Springstead, 2024 Philippa G. Samworth Award for Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession Winner.
Previous Philippa G. Samworth Award Winners:
2023: Christina J. Cook
2022: Janet Clark
2021: Susan Gunter
2020: Lisa Armstrong
2019: Marla Cox
2024 Richard B. Lindsay Award: Andy Smith, Senior Counsel, Aviva Trial Lawyers
The Richard B. Lindsay, KC, Exceptional Young Lawyer Award is named in honour of one of CDL’s most impactful Past Presidents. Each year CDL recognizes a lawyer within 10 years of call who has made exceptional contributions to; the legal profession in general, jurisprudence in Canada; the Canadian Defence Lawyers and its membership; or service to the community at large.
The 2024 Recipient of the Lindsay Award, was the youngest counsel ever promoted by his direct supervisor to Senior Council. Andy has made numerous volunteer contributions to CDL, including having co-chaired an Annual Young Lawyers Bootcamp event, and presented on several substantive CLE topics.
“I was humbled to be nominated for the Richard B. Lindsay KC Exceptional Young Lawyer Award and incredibly grateful to have won. I have been blessed in my career to have had so many wonderful mentors and colleagues who have invested in my growth and my path as a lawyer. Winning this award is a reflection on the talented people around me that have given me so many opportunities to succeed. I am incredibly thankful for all those who took time to support my nomination.” - Andy Smith – 2024 Richard B. Lindsay, KC, Exceptional Young Lawyer Award Winner.
Previous Richard B. Lindsay, KC, Award Winners:
2023: Serena Genova
2022: Devan Marr
2021: Erin Durant & Mouna Hanna
2020: Christina J. Cook
2019: Alison Hopkins
2018: John Lea
2017: Jason Frost
2016: Andrea Lim
2015: Laura Emmett
2012: Stuart Zacharias
2010: Kadey J. Schultz
Canadian Defence Lawyers 2024 Nominating Committee
Each year the Immediate Past-President of the CDL assembles a small group of Past-Presidents to serve as the Nominating Committee, in addition to recommending the slate of Officers and Directors, the committee is charged with selecting the Award Recipients.
In accordance with CDL Policies the following individuals were approved by the CDL Executive Committee to serve as the 2024 Nominating Committee.
CDL’s Annual Awards recognize excellence in, and contribution to the Canadian Legal Profession, by a member of the Defence Bar. The Awards and Winners are:
2024 Lee Samis Award: Marcus Snowden, Principle, Snowden Law Professional Corporation
The Lee Samis Award of Excellence is named for CDL’s Founding President. Each year CDL recognizes a member who has made exceptional contributions to; the legal profession in general, jurisprudence in Canada on the law of Insurance; law or development of the law of Insurance in Canada; or a significant law-related benefit to CDL and/or the Insurance Industry.
The 2024 Recipient of the Samis Award was described by a current CDL Board Member as ‘a giant in the industry’ active in CDL and related associations for several decades, Marcus is a highly regarded and respected voice on Insurance Law and Defence. In 2024 Mr. Snowden chaired the sold out 20th Annual Canadian Defence Lawyers Insurance Coverage Symposium, and is the Canadian Regional Representative to DRI.
“I am very honoured to be nominated by David McKenzie and truly grateful for this peer recognition. To be included in the company of past award recipients, such as Tom McGrenere, KC, Madam Justice Sandra Corbett, the late Graham Dutton, KC, Heather Sanderson, KC, Geoff Adair, KC and other leaders of the Canadian bar is truly humbling. I also stand on the shoulders of those in the Canadian and US insurance coverage bar from whom I’ve learned so much, including my co-author Mark G. Lichty, Gordon Hilliker, KC and practitioners south of the border such as Dan Kohane, Andy Downs, Barbara O’Donnell, Michael Aylward, Shaun McParland Baldwin, Thomas R. Newman and Tom Segalla. Finally, I could not continue to do what I do without the unqualified support of my spouse Pearl Rombis and our blended family.” – Marcus Snowden, 2024 Lee Samis Award of Excellence Winner.
Previous Lee Samis Award Winners Are:
2023: Stephen J. May, KC
2022: David Festeryga
2021: John Barry, ONN, KC
2020: Alison Murray, KC
2019: Eric Grossman
2018: Patricia Armstrong, KC
2017: Clarence Beckett, KC
2016: Paul Tushinski
2015: Dennis Quinlan, KC
2014: Sandra Corbett, KC
2013: Geoff Adair, KC
2012: Heather Sanderson
2011: Jan Lindsay, KC
2010: David Hashey, KC
2009: Mary Helen Wright
2008: Rick Davison, KC
2007: Graham Dutton, KC
2006: Richard Lindsay, KC
2005: Harrison Arrell
2004: Thomas McGrenere
2003: David Miller KC
2002: Philippa Samworth
2024 Philippa G. Samworth Award: Krista Springstead, Founder and Managing Partner, Bruder Springstead LLP
The Philippa G. Samworth Award for Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession is named for one of CDL’s founding members. Each year the CDL recognizes a member show has demonstrated; commitment to advocating the inclusion and promotion of women in the legal profession through activity has a visible, tangible or measurable impact on the perception of attitude toward, and respect for the treatment of women, and fostering women’s initiatives and promoting positive mentoring relationships with other women in the legal profession; and/or leadership in the development of measures to fight gender discrimination and prejudice in the profession.
The 2024 Recipient of the Samworth Award is a founder and managing partner at one of the few female-led boutique litigation firms in Canada. Krista received notable letters of support from Associate Justice Gillian Eckler, as well as from the award’s namesake Philippa Samworth.
“It is with the utmost appreciation that I humbly accept the Philippa G. Samworth Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession. I am indebted to Philippa and all of the other women trailblazers who have confidently carved the path ahead for female litigators. I am very proud to be a woman in the legal profession and continue to be inspired by my peers, partners, colleagues and all of the amazing younger female talent. It is with sincere gratitude that I thank the CDL and my partner and nominator, Louis Covens, for thinking me worthy of such a prestigious award.” – Krista Springstead, 2024 Philippa G. Samworth Award for Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession Winner.
Previous Philippa G. Samworth Award Winners:
2023: Christina J. Cook
2022: Janet Clark
2021: Susan Gunter
2020: Lisa Armstrong
2019: Marla Cox
2024 Richard B. Lindsay Award: Andy Smith, Senior Counsel, Aviva Trial Lawyers
The Richard B. Lindsay, KC, Exceptional Young Lawyer Award is named in honour of one of CDL’s most impactful Past Presidents. Each year CDL recognizes a lawyer within 10 years of call who has made exceptional contributions to; the legal profession in general, jurisprudence in Canada; the Canadian Defence Lawyers and its membership; or service to the community at large.
The 2024 Recipient of the Lindsay Award, was the youngest counsel ever promoted by his direct supervisor to Senior Council. Andy has made numerous volunteer contributions to CDL, including having co-chaired an Annual Young Lawyers Bootcamp event, and presented on several substantive CLE topics.
“I was humbled to be nominated for the Richard B. Lindsay KC Exceptional Young Lawyer Award and incredibly grateful to have won. I have been blessed in my career to have had so many wonderful mentors and colleagues who have invested in my growth and my path as a lawyer. Winning this award is a reflection on the talented people around me that have given me so many opportunities to succeed. I am incredibly thankful for all those who took time to support my nomination.” - Andy Smith – 2024 Richard B. Lindsay, KC, Exceptional Young Lawyer Award Winner.
Previous Richard B. Lindsay, KC, Award Winners:
2023: Serena Genova
2022: Devan Marr
2021: Erin Durant & Mouna Hanna
2020: Christina J. Cook
2019: Alison Hopkins
2018: John Lea
2017: Jason Frost
2016: Andrea Lim
2015: Laura Emmett
2012: Stuart Zacharias
2010: Kadey J. Schultz
Canadian Defence Lawyers 2024 Nominating Committee
Each year the Immediate Past-President of the CDL assembles a small group of Past-Presidents to serve as the Nominating Committee, in addition to recommending the slate of Officers and Directors, the committee is charged with selecting the Award Recipients.
In accordance with CDL Policies the following individuals were approved by the CDL Executive Committee to serve as the 2024 Nominating Committee.
- Andrea Lim (ON) – Immediate Past President
- Heather Sanderson (AB) – President, 2023/2024
- Dave Festeryga (ON) – Past President
- Max Hufton (BC) – Past President
- Jade Spalding (NB) – Past President
- Aleksandra Zivanovic (ON) – Past President