A Legacy of Leadership: Looking Back on the Past Presidents of Canadian Defence Lawyers
30th Anniversary - Special Feature
Over the years Canadian Defence Lawyers has been led by engaged and active leaders of the Canadian Civil Defence Bar; from coast-to-coast these busy professionals have contributed their time, talents and perspectives.
As CDL enters its fourth decade, the Association is blessed to still enjoy ongoing relationships with many Past-Presidents. This is Where They Are Now:
Lee Samis – Namesake of CDL’s highest award of excellence, while his practice has changed, he remains active in CDL as the inaugural (and only) Emeritus Member.
Richard Lindsay – Namesake of CDL’s Award for Exceptional Young Lawyers, many of the winners of which, also appear on these pages.
Sandra Corbett – Known now as Justice Corbett, she has graciously agreed to speak at the 2025 Annual Litigation Conference.
Susan Gunter – The powerhouse Volunteer leading CDL’s Advocacy efforts as Chair of the Public Policy Secretariat, she continues to represent CDL to Governments and the Courts, and as the only Canadian Multi-DRI-Award Winner.
Janet Clark – The first CDL President from Atlantic Canada, she continues to contribute regional insights to the Public Policy Secretariat and, encourage participation and membership from colleagues in her region.
David Festeryga – A member of the Nominating Committee, he continues to support succession planning and the recognition of member excellence. He also supported the 2023/2024 Board in the selection of the current Executive Director.
Jade Spalding – A member of the 2024 Nominating Committee, he provided important insights into the recruitment of CDL Volunteer leaders from Atlantic Canada and, continues to encourage regional engagement and membership.
Laura Emmett – Not just an active volunteer with CDL, DRI, and many other Legal Organizations, she is also a current Law Society of Ontario Bencher. She also supported the 2023/2024 Board in the selection of the current Executive Director.
Max Hufton – The most recent CDL President from BC, Max continues to play an active role in the Public Policy Secretariat providing important provincial and regional perspectives. He is a member of the Nominating Committee, and will be appearing alongside Phillipa Samworth presenting a 30-year CDL Retrospective at the 2025 ALC.
Aleksandra Zivanovic – As the Canadian Regional Board Member of DRI, she is a key voice for CDL in the International Defence Law community. The founder of the CDL Women’s Caucus she continues to support the Association as a member of the Nominating Committee.
Talaal Bond – One of CDL’s most outspoken Past-Presidents continues to ask challenging but important questions through his active participation as a member of the Public Policy Secretariat.
Andrea Lim – The current Co-Chair of the Public Policy Secretariat’s Government Relations Subcommittee, she helps shape and communicate CDL’s Advocacy positions. She is a member of the Nominating Committee.
Heather Sanderson, KC – Remains the Immediate Past President of CDL, in addition to her role as Chair of the Nominating Committee, she is CDL’s liaison to FOIL and AIDA.
To Honour their legacy, Canadian Defence Lawyers has added a page to the CDL Website listing each of the important volunteer leaders who have helped shape our Association. The Past-Presidents are:
Founding President: Lee Samis (ON)*
2000-2001: Paul Tushinski (ON)*
2001-2002: Harrison Arrell (ON)
2002-2003: Kevin Carroll KC (ON)
2003-2004: Richard B. Lindsay KC (BC)
2004-2005: Leilah Edroos (ON)*
2005-2006: Jamie Chipman KC (NS) †
2006-2007: Carmen Place (BC)
2007-2008: Brian Elkin (ON)
2008-2009: Sandra Corbett KC (AB)
2009-2010: Susan Gunter (ON)*
2010-2011: Dan Reisler (ON)*
2011-2012: Colin Clackson KC (SK)
2012-2013: Janet Clark (PE)*
2013-2014: Jonathan Hodes (BC)*
2014-2015: Patricia Armstrong KC (BC)
2015-2016: David Bertschi (ON)
2016-2017: David Festeryga (ON)*
2017-2018: Jade Spalding (NB)*
2018-2019: Laura Emmett (ON)*
2019-2020: Max Hufton (BC)*
2020-2021: Aleksandra Zivanovic (ON)*
2021-2022: Talaal Bond (ON)*
2022-2023: Andrea Lim (ON)*
2023-2024: Heather Sanderson KC (AB)*
2024-2026: Lisa Pool (ON)*
† Denotes that the Individual is Deceased
*Denotes Active CDL Membership
As CDL enters its fourth decade, the Association is blessed to still enjoy ongoing relationships with many Past-Presidents. This is Where They Are Now:
Lee Samis – Namesake of CDL’s highest award of excellence, while his practice has changed, he remains active in CDL as the inaugural (and only) Emeritus Member.
Richard Lindsay – Namesake of CDL’s Award for Exceptional Young Lawyers, many of the winners of which, also appear on these pages.
Sandra Corbett – Known now as Justice Corbett, she has graciously agreed to speak at the 2025 Annual Litigation Conference.
Susan Gunter – The powerhouse Volunteer leading CDL’s Advocacy efforts as Chair of the Public Policy Secretariat, she continues to represent CDL to Governments and the Courts, and as the only Canadian Multi-DRI-Award Winner.
Janet Clark – The first CDL President from Atlantic Canada, she continues to contribute regional insights to the Public Policy Secretariat and, encourage participation and membership from colleagues in her region.
David Festeryga – A member of the Nominating Committee, he continues to support succession planning and the recognition of member excellence. He also supported the 2023/2024 Board in the selection of the current Executive Director.
Jade Spalding – A member of the 2024 Nominating Committee, he provided important insights into the recruitment of CDL Volunteer leaders from Atlantic Canada and, continues to encourage regional engagement and membership.
Laura Emmett – Not just an active volunteer with CDL, DRI, and many other Legal Organizations, she is also a current Law Society of Ontario Bencher. She also supported the 2023/2024 Board in the selection of the current Executive Director.
Max Hufton – The most recent CDL President from BC, Max continues to play an active role in the Public Policy Secretariat providing important provincial and regional perspectives. He is a member of the Nominating Committee, and will be appearing alongside Phillipa Samworth presenting a 30-year CDL Retrospective at the 2025 ALC.
Aleksandra Zivanovic – As the Canadian Regional Board Member of DRI, she is a key voice for CDL in the International Defence Law community. The founder of the CDL Women’s Caucus she continues to support the Association as a member of the Nominating Committee.
Talaal Bond – One of CDL’s most outspoken Past-Presidents continues to ask challenging but important questions through his active participation as a member of the Public Policy Secretariat.
Andrea Lim – The current Co-Chair of the Public Policy Secretariat’s Government Relations Subcommittee, she helps shape and communicate CDL’s Advocacy positions. She is a member of the Nominating Committee.
Heather Sanderson, KC – Remains the Immediate Past President of CDL, in addition to her role as Chair of the Nominating Committee, she is CDL’s liaison to FOIL and AIDA.
To Honour their legacy, Canadian Defence Lawyers has added a page to the CDL Website listing each of the important volunteer leaders who have helped shape our Association. The Past-Presidents are:
Founding President: Lee Samis (ON)*
2000-2001: Paul Tushinski (ON)*
2001-2002: Harrison Arrell (ON)
2002-2003: Kevin Carroll KC (ON)
2003-2004: Richard B. Lindsay KC (BC)
2004-2005: Leilah Edroos (ON)*
2005-2006: Jamie Chipman KC (NS) †
2006-2007: Carmen Place (BC)
2007-2008: Brian Elkin (ON)
2008-2009: Sandra Corbett KC (AB)
2009-2010: Susan Gunter (ON)*
2010-2011: Dan Reisler (ON)*
2011-2012: Colin Clackson KC (SK)
2012-2013: Janet Clark (PE)*
2013-2014: Jonathan Hodes (BC)*
2014-2015: Patricia Armstrong KC (BC)
2015-2016: David Bertschi (ON)
2016-2017: David Festeryga (ON)*
2017-2018: Jade Spalding (NB)*
2018-2019: Laura Emmett (ON)*
2019-2020: Max Hufton (BC)*
2020-2021: Aleksandra Zivanovic (ON)*
2021-2022: Talaal Bond (ON)*
2022-2023: Andrea Lim (ON)*
2023-2024: Heather Sanderson KC (AB)*
2024-2026: Lisa Pool (ON)*
† Denotes that the Individual is Deceased
*Denotes Active CDL Membership