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.