Timeline - WeirFoulds LLP

Timeline

2023
WeirFoulds recognized as 2023 Regional Law Firm of the Year – Ontario
WeirFoulds is pleased to announce that the Firm has been recognized as the 2023 “Regional Law Firm of the Year – Ontario” by the Canadian Law Awards. The Canadian Law Awards Gala took place this year on May 11, 2023, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto. This is the second consecutive year that WeirFoulds has been recognized with this distinction and the third time the firm has been recognized overall, previously receiving the honour in 2022 and 2020.
2022
Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96
Canada’s head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, dies at the age of 96 after reigning for 70 years. Having celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier in 2022, Elizabeth II was head of state for almost half of Canada’s existence as a country. Upon her death, King Charles III immediately became the new head of state, the seventh since Confederation.
2022
WeirFoulds congratulates Denise Baker and Wayne Egan on being appointed Co-Managing Partners
WeirFoulds LLP is pleased to announce that the partnership has appointed Denise Baker and Wayne Egan as Co-Managing Partners, effective July 1, 2022. Wayne has acted as the Managing Partner since he was appointed to the position in 2018.
2022
Antigua and Barbuda overturn anti-LGBTQ laws
On July 5, 2022, Antigua and Barbuda’s High Court of Justice declared laws which criminalize consensual, private, same-sex intimacy between adults to be unconstitutional. Nadia Chiesa and WeirFoulds LLP worked as part of a team of lawyers from across the Caribbean dedicated to social justice to support ECADE in this litigation.
2022
WeirFoulds receives the 2022 Ontario Law Firm of the Year Award
WeirFoulds is recognized as “Ontario Law Firm of the Year” by the Canadian Law Awards. The in-person Awards Gala took place on May 19, 2022 at the Arcadian Court in Toronto. Firms are considered based on the quality, qualifications, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed by their lawyers throughout the 2021 calendar year. This is the second time that WeirFoulds has been recognized with this award, previously receiving the honour in 2020.
2022
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, escalating years of conflict between the two countries and triggering a worldwide humanitarian crisis.
2021
WeirFoulds Subrogation & Recovery Group Successfully Upholds $24.3 Million Trial Award for Oil Pipeline Leaks
In a 2-1 decision, the majority for the Alberta Court of Appeal very recently upheld a decision rendered by Justice Marriott of the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, which award our client, ISH Energy Ltd., damages in excess of $24 million against its pipeline contract operator, Weber Contract Service Inc. for breach of contract and negligence in the maintenance and operation of an oil field.
2021
215 Graves Discovered at Site of Former Residential School
WeirFoulds mourned the discovery of what is believed to be the graves of 215 Indigenous children. The discovery is a horrifying and distressing reminder of the legacy of residential schools in Canada, the presence of overt anti-Indigenous racism throughout Canadian history, and the ongoing systematic discrimination faced by Indigenous communities today.
2021
Marie-Andrée Vermette is appointed as Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario
Former Partner Marie-Andrée Vermette is appointed as Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario (Toronto).
Marie-Andrée was a partner at WeirFoulds for almost 20 years and Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group for four years. She was involved in some of the most publicized and sophisticated corporate/commercial disputes, class actions, and public law cases
2021
WeirFoulds mourns the loss of Barnet Kussner
WeirFoulds mourns the sudden and tragic passing of Partner, friend and colleague, Barnet Kussner (“Barney”). Barney passed away on the evening of February 14, 2021.
In 1989, Barney joined the firm as an articling student. Following his Call to the Ontario Bar in 1991, he became a foundational member of our Municipal Law Group and went on to become regarded as one of the top municipal lawyers in Canada. Following 32 years with the firm, Barney will be remembered as a kind and generous man with a passion for life and his work, but above all for his deep love for his family. He will be deeply missed by everyone who was privileged to know him.
2020
First COVID-19 vaccine administered in Canada
Canada’s first recipient of a COVID-19 vaccine was 89-year-old Gisele Levesque, a resident at the Saint-Antoine long-term care home in Quebec City. December 14, 2021 marked a historic moment some have dubbed “V-Day,” as Canada entered a new phase of the fight against the novel coronavirus.
2020
WeirFoulds releases official statement on our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
On December 9, 2020, WeirFoulds releases its official statement on our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. The statement acknowledges that at Weirfoulds, we recognize that we need to advance and to demonstrate equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, internally and externally. We have been working diligently on several key areas, and we recognize that we must do better. Our goal is to put words into concrete action through a number of specific steps described in our official statement.
2020
WeirFoulds receives the 2020 Ontario Law Firm of the Year Award
WeirFoulds is recognized as “Ontario Law Firm of the Year” by the Canadian Law Awards. The virtual Awards Gala took place on October 6, 2020. Candidates for this award have offices in Ontario and offer a wide range of legal services. They are judged on the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of legal work performed during the calendar year of 2019.
2020
Raj Anand appointed Chair of the Law Commission of Ontario
Partner Raj Anand is appointed Chair of the Board of Governors of the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO). The LCO is Ontario’s leading law reform agency. Its reports make recommendations: to make the legal system more relevant, accessible or effective; to simplify or clarify the law; and about using technology to improve access to justice.
2020
WeirFoulds mourns the loss of Michael McQuaid
WeirFoulds mourns the loss of our Partner, friend and colleague, Michael McQuaid. Mike passed away peacefully following a period of illness due to cancer, which he approached with bravery and determination.
Mike joined the firm as an associate in 1965 and became a leader in our Municipal Group. He was a strong advocate with a deep understanding of municipal law and the development world. We are grateful for the contributions that Mike made to WeirFoulds. He is deeply missed by his colleagues in the Municipal Group and friends from around the firm.
2020
Marie-Andrée Vermette co-chairs the E-Hearings Task Force
The Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association, the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, and the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association established an E-Hearings Task Force to work towards the expansion of virtual access to the courts during the COVID-19 crisis. Co-chairing the Task Force is Marie-Andrée Vermette, WeirFoulds partner.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
The World Health Organization declares COVID-19 a pandemic, affecting millions of people and businesses world-wide.
2020
International Women’s Day with the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin
WeirFoulds celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020 by welcoming The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin as a guest speaker and recognizes the efforts of women across the firm.
2019
Gregory Richards receives 2019 Catzman Award
WeirFoulds is pleased to announce that Gregory Richards, counsel and former managing partner and chair of the Partnership, was awarded the 2019 Catzman Award for Professionalism and Civility at the Ontario Opening of the Courts Ceremony on September 10.
The Catzman Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an exemplary knowledge of the law; integrity, fairness and civility; generosity of time and expertise, with a commitment to mentorship and/or legal education; and dedication to the highest ideals of the legal profession. It is awarded in memory of the Honourable Marvin A. Catzman of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. It was created in 2008 by the Catzman Family together with The Advocates’ Society and the Chief Justice of Ontario’s Advisory Committee on Professionalism.
2019
WeirFoulds congratulates Partner Frank Walwyn on receiving a 2019 Law Society Medal
WeirFoulds is thrilled to announce that Partner Frank Walwyn has been awarded a 2019 Law Society Medal (“LSM”) from the Law Society of Ontario. Frank was presented with the Medal alongside the other 2019 honourees at the annual Law Society Awards ceremony on May 22nd at Osgoode Hall.
The highest honour bestowed by the Law Society, the LSM was established in 1985 to recognize lawyers in Ontario whose outstanding service in the profession is in accordance with the highest ideals of the legal community.