Last night marked another impressive showing for Gowling WLG at the Benchmark Canada Awards gala in Toronto, with the firm taking home top honours for Aboriginal Law Firm of the Year as well as individual accolades for Insurance Litigator of the Year (David Bishop) and Medical/Health Litigator of the Year (Mary M. Thomson).
This is the second year in a row that Gowling WLG has received the prestigious Aboriginal Law Firm of the Year award. Through its Indigenous Law Group, the firm offers clients in-depth legal advice in every aspect of Indigenous law. The group's lawyers have served as counsel to Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples - as well as industry and governments clients working with Indigenous communities - for more than half a century.
"We're so thankful for the work we do on behalf of our clients, who know us for our singular commitment to helping them advance their vision and achieve their strategic goals. Winning this award two years in a row is a testament to that commitment," said Indigenous law partner Jaimie Lickers, who, along with associate Paul Seaman, attended the ceremony on behalf of the group. Earlier this year, Lickers became the first female lawyer of Indigenous descent to be named a partner at Gowling WLG.
"It's fitting that two members of our outstanding complement of Indigenous lawyers be present to accept this honour. Jaimie and Paul exemplify the qualities of excellence, dedication and passion that are the hallmarks of the entire team, and are at the heart of this recognition," added Maxime Faille, leader of Gowling WLG's Indigenous Law Group.
The award for Insurance Litigator of the Year went to David Bishop, a seasoned advocate with expertise in all forms of dispute resolution. Bishop skilfully represents insurers across Canada on matters related to directors and officers, professional liability, property, class actions and other significant claims. Notably, he took home the same award in 2015 - the year in which he was also named Alberta Litigator of the Year.
Mary M. Thomson received the award for Medical/Health Litigator of the Year. As head of Gowling WLG Canada's Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group, Thomson is widely regarded as one of Canada's most accomplished litigators. She has appeared in courts across the country on complex matters involving product liability, particularly in relation to pharmaceutical and medical devices. Thomson was named among Benchmark Litigation's "Top 25 Women in Litigation" last year.
Held annually by Benchmark Litigation - the only publication to focus exclusively on litigation practices - the Benchmark Canada Awards bring together leading litigators and litigation law firms from across the country to recognize excellence in a range of practice areas.
With more than 1,500 legal professionals in 18 cities across Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Gowling WLG delivers comprehensive, practical and strategic solutions that address a broad range of litigation matters - both in the courtroom and through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution - so that clients can achieve their desired results as quickly as possible.