Awards

Who was Frank M. Hoffman?

The late Frank Hoffman practised as Assistant Crown Counsel for many years in downtown Toronto. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Frank was an exceptional mentor to other Crown Counsel.   He had a thorough knowledge of the law and a keen appreciation of our role as Crown Counsel.   Frank’s knowledge of the law was rivalled only by his love for it.

Who Does the Award Recognize?

The award is presented “to the person(s) who has exhibited extraordinary dedication, diligence and enthusiasm while being a member of the OCAA”.  This award is the highest honour the OCAA can bestow on one of its members.

Additional Guidelines for Consideration:

1. Prosecutorial abilities;
2. Contributions to education;
3. Leadership abilities;
4. Community involvement; and/or
5. Any other factor which would exhibit extraordinary “dedication, diligence and enthusiasm”.

• 2023 Lisa Henderson
• 2022 Julie Battersby
• 2021 Alexander Cornelius
• 2019 Holly Nickel
• 2018 Jill Cameron
• 2017 Mary Humphrey
• 2015 Alexander Smith
• 2014 Fraser Kelly
• 2013 Laura Bird
• 2012 Kevin Gowdey
• 2011 David Russell
• 2010 Brian McGuire
• 2008 William Johnson
• 2007 Greg O’Driscoll
• 2006 Marc Huneault
• 2005 Tony Loparco
• 2004 David Fisher
• 2003 Lorne McConnery
• 2002 Robert Clark
• 2001 Sarah Welch
• 2001 Paul Vesa
• 2000 Dorothee Retterath

• 1999 Steve Sherriff
• 1998 James Stewart
• 1997 Christine McGoey
• 1996 Robert Morris
• 1995 Brendan Evans
• 1994 Chris Meinhardt
• 1994 Jerome Wiley
• 1993 Casey Hill
• 1992 James Trelevean
• 1992 Larry Owen
• 1991 John Scott
• 1990 Paul Culver
• 1990 Ted Burton
• 1989 Frank Armstrong
• 1989 Leo McGuigan

Who was Shawn Porter?

Shawn Porter spent more than a quarter century presenting and managing trial issues involving forensic science.   His innate ability to translate complex scientific terms into simple language so that everyone in the courtroom room could understand the issue was unparalleled.    Through his career Shawn educated legions of justice participants on scientific concepts.   Shawn worked on numerous high profile cases and made extensive contributions to complex issues relating to forensic pathology and the work of the Centre of Forensic Sciences (particularly the Biology Section).  He was involved in the implementation of the DNA Identification Act after its enactment in 1998 and was a central figure in the ongoing success of the DNA databank.     Shawn also worked extensively in the rollout of the STRmix system by the Centre of Forensic Science and litigated challenges to the admissibility of this evidence.

Who was Doug Lucas?

Doug Lucas spent his career dedicated to forensic science.   He retired as Director of the Centre of Forensic Sciences on May 31st,1994, after more than twenty-five years of distinguished service as Director. During that period he served as President of the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences and President and Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He also served as Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Last Word Society, the Forensic Sciences Foundation, Inc.,  the  Forensic  Science  Society  of  Great  Britain,  and  President  of  both  the  International Association of Forensic Sciences and the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.

His many awards included being the first recipient of the Adelaide Medal and first recipient of the Douglas M. Lucas Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.

Who Does the Award Recognize?

The award is presented “for excellence in the pursuit of justice through science”.  The recipient must demonstrate a unique or sustained use of forensic science in presenting or managing trial issues.

Additional Guidelines for Consideration:

The contribution may be over the course of a career or in relation to a specific and distinguished program, project, or prosecution.

• 2023 Maggie Brown AND Jeremy Tatum
• 2020 Mabel Lai
• 2018 Shawn Porter
• 2012 James Palangio
• 2012 Philip Perlmutter
• 2009 Karen Shea
• 2006 Michal Fairburn
• 2005 Brian McGuire
• 2003 Lisa Jacek
• 2002 Robert Morris
• 2001 Joseph Nadel
• 2000 Sandra Kingston

• 1999 Rod Guthrie
• 1998 Karen McCleave
• 1998 Greg O’Driscoll
• 1998 Bryan Davies
• 1997 Ruth Neilson
• 1997 Margaret Creal
• 1996 Hank Goody
• 1995 Andre Huneault
• 1995 Greg Rodgers

Who was Rupert Ross?

Rupert Ross worked tirelessly as an Assistant Crown Attorney for the cause of social justice for Indigenous people.

After eleven years as a fishing guide in Northern Ontario, Rupert attended law school at the University of Toronto, and was called to the bar in 1982.

Rupert’s first few years in private practice in Kenora included frequent trips to northern fly-in Indigenous communities as defense counsel. These trips exposed him to the unique issues and problems inherent to the criminal justice system in these communities.  He  has  since  made  these  issues  his life’s work, having lectured extensively across Canada and abroad on restorative justice and cross-cultural communication.

From 1992-1995, Rupert took a special leave of absence to work with the Federal Aboriginal Justice Directorate, studying Indigenous approaches to crime, justice and healing across Canada.

He published two books which are both widely used at Canadian  universities.  Dancing  With  a  Ghost: Exploring Indian Reality (1992) is an examination of some of the cultural differences and perceptions that colour relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies in Canada. Returning to the Teachings: Exploring Aboriginal Justice (1995) expands on that theme,  specifically  with  reference  to  crime, punishment and restorative justice in Indigenous societies in Canada. His current focus is on victim dissatisfaction with criminal justice processes, and the degree to which certain restorative justice practices might offer scope for improvement.

Who does the Award Recognize?

The award is intended to go to the OCAA member who has, either through the course of employment and/or through  extra-employment  activities,  shown  excellence in,  and  commitment  to,  the  enhancement  of  social justice.

Additional Guidelines for Consideration:

1. Contributing/commitment by the member to a society which treats individuals and groups fairly and equitably regardless of gender, race, religion, age,   class,   ethnic   and   or   national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wealth or health and seeks to recognize, enhance and uphold the rights and dignities of those individuals and groups; and/or

2. The contribution may be over the course of a career or in relation to a specific and distinguished program or project.

• 2022 Maria Stevens
• 2021 Fred Bartley
• 2019 Miriam Henry
• 2017 Brock Jones
• 2016 Roger Shallow
• 2014 Kathryn Hull
• 2014 Kevin Sisk
• 2014 Sarah Tarcza
• 2012 Lynette Fritzley
• 2011 Trevor Jukes
• 2008 David Lepofsky

Who was Leo McGuigan?

Leo McGuigan was called to the Bar in 1960.   He joined the Brampton Crown’s office in 1970, where he worked tirelessly for the next 30 years first as Assistant Crown Counsel and later as the Crown Attorney.

He enjoyed a distinguished career as a litigator with an excellent reputation for honesty and integrity.

Leo was a role model for all Crown Counsel in Ontario.  He was known universally for his passion to the education and mentorship of all Crown Counsel.

Who Does the Award Recognize?

The  award  is  presented  to  the  person  who,  over  the  course  of  a  distinguished  career,  made  extraordinary contributions to the education of Crown Counsel.

Additional Guidelines for Consideration:

The guidelines for this award are as follows:

1. Prosecutorial abilities;

2. Leadership abilities;

3. Commitment to mentorship; and/or

4. Any other factors which would exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the education of Crown Counsel.

• 2023 Jill Witkin
• 2022 Robin Flumerfelt
• 2021 Louise Tansey
• 2018 Meaghan Cunningham
• 2017 James Palangio
• 2017 Philip Perlmutter
• 2014 Mary Lou Armour
• 2013 Valerie Schmidt
• 2012 Curt Flanagan
• 2011 John Scott

Who was Bob Hubbard?

Bob set a gold standard in his commitment to mentoring others. Bob was a federal Crown for 29 years, and then became a member of the OCAA in 2006.  He was the author of three leading legal texts, a recipient of the Law Society Medal in 2010, a recipient of the FPT Heads of Prosecutions Commitment to Justice Award in 2020, and a frequent lecturer to law students, the judiciary, legal professionals and law enforcement across the country.  He shared the spotlight and challenged the young counsel with whom he worked by giving them important roles in the litigation in which he was involved and oversaw.    Aside from those with whom he worked on specific files, Bob unfailingly made himself available to assist others by imparting his wealth of knowledge and experience to them.  Over the course of his 44 year career, as a mentor Bob had a tremendous impact on hundreds of Crowns.  He passed away in 2022, after courageously living with cancer for several years, but his commitment to mentorship continued even to the end, as he worked with a junior colleague on a search assignment days before he passed.

Who Does the Award Recognize?

The award is presented “for excellence in Mentorship”.  It recognizes the tireless work done by the member to help their colleagues, in particular but not limited to, the more junior members.  It recognizes the importance of work done to develop and foster mentorship relationships and the intentionality of that contribution.  This mentoring work can take many forms, from assisting younger colleagues to develop expertise in a particular area of the law, to acting with more senior mentees in career development.  This award recognizes mentors who go above and beyond the valuable mentorship of the Mentorship Program.