Call for Nominations
2024/2025 Board of Directors and 2024 Annual Awards

On behalf of the 2024 Canadian Defence Lawyers Nominations Committee, I am pleased to open the call for nominations for the Board of Directors and Annual Awards. The deadline for all nominations is March 21, 2024 at 5pm EDT, all forms, letters, and other supporting documentation should be sent to the Nominating Committee c/o danielle@cdlawyers.org.

The 2024 Nominating Committee Members are:

• Andrea Lim, Immediate Past-President
• Heather Sanderson, President
• Aleks Zivanovic, Past President
• Dave Festeryga, Past President
• Jade Spalding, Past President
• Max Hufton, Past President

The committee may opt to make further confidential inquiries about any nominee with CDL and other legal community members in the nominee’s local region.

2024/2025 Board of Directors:

Nominations are open for CDL members in good standing who have maintained their membership in CDL uninterrupted for three years; to serve a three-year-term (with an option to be reelected for a second three-year-term) as a Director of the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association.

In an effort to maintain and enhance regional diversity on the board, CDL will be looking to fill up-to two vacancies for directors from Ontario, and up-to three vacancies for directors from any province except Ontario, Quebec or Alberta. Past or present CDL volunteer leadership experience will be shown preference when assessing applications.

A complete nominations package will include:

1. A signed Application Form
2. Your contact information, if different than your existing member record
3. Three references who should be CDL members in good standing
4. A summary of your recent CDL activities, including past volunteer contributions

The nominating committee will present a slate of directors to the membership for election at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, tentatively scheduled for May 30, 2024 in Toronto.

2024 Lee Samis Award for Distinguished Service

Nominations are now open for CDL members in good standing, for recognition of exceptional contributions and/or achievements:

• to the legal profession in general; or
• to jurisprudence in Canada on the law of insurance; or
• to law or development of the law of insurance in Canada; or
• a significant law-related benefit to CDL and/or the insurance industry.

A complete nominations package will include:

1. A signed Nomination Form
2. The CV of the Nominee
3. A minimum of two supporting letters

The 2024 Lee Samis award winner will be announced at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, currently scheduled for May 30, 2024 in Toronto, and may be presented at a regional meeting or special event at the request of the recipient.

Richard B. Lindsay, KC Exceptional Young Lawyer Award

Nominations are now open for CDL members in good standing, who are classified as a Young Lawyer (ten years of call or less), for recognition of exceptional contributions:

• to the legal profession in general; or
• to jurisprudence in Canada; or
• to Canadian Defence Lawyers and its membership; or
• service to the community at large.

A complete nominations package will include:

1. A signed Nomination Form
2. The CV of the Nominee
3. A minimum of three supporting letters (of which only one may come from the nominee’s firm)

The 2024 Richard B. Lindsay KC award winner will be presented at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, currently schedule for May 30, 2024 in Toronto, or at an alternate event. The winner will receive a complimentary registration to the Annual Conference (also tentatively scheduled for May 30, 2024) and subsidized travel if required.

Philippa G. Samworth Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession

Nominations are now open for CDL members in good standing, who have demonstrated a high regard for, and support of, women in the law, who have demonstrated the following:

• Commitment to advocating the inclusion and promotion of women in the legal profession through activity that 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.

A complete nominations package will include:

1. A signed Nomination Form
2. The CV of the Nominee
3. A minimum of two supporting letters.

Sent on Behalf of:

Andrea Lim,
Immediate Past-President, and Chair of the 2024 Nominations Committee