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2026 Law Society Awards: Call for Nominations
Question: What are the criteria for nominating a paralegal for the William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award?
Answer: Nominations must be submitted using an online form by December 12, 2025, and the nominee must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. The nomination should include a detailed letter that outlines the nominee's contributions, achievements, and service to the community. This award, presented by the Ontario Paralegal Association, recognises outstanding professional achievement and dedication to the paralegal profession, offering an excellent opportunity to highlight exemplary work in the field.
Call for Nominations
2026 Law Society Awards
Deadline: December 12, 2025
Submit your nomination: lso.ca/awards-nominations
The Law Society invites nominations to recognize Ontario lawyers and paralegals who have made outstanding contributions to the professions and the public. Nominations are encouraged from all communities, practice areas, firm sizes and regions across Ontario.
At-a-Glance: Award Categories
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Law Society Medal — lawyer
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Lincoln Alexander Award — lawyer or paralegal
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Laura Legge Award — lawyer
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William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award — paralegal
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J. Shirley Denison Award — lawyer or paralegal
Equity, diversity, and inclusiveness: The Law Society Awards showcase the best of the professions by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions and reflect the diversity of the professions.
Nomination Process
File using the online form and submit a complete package by the deadline. For full instructions, see Awards: Nominations and Selection Process.
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Complete the online nomination form with nominee contact details, general background, and a brief description of why the nominee qualifies.
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Attach all supporting documents and submit as a complete package by the deadline.
What to Include in a Complete Nomination Package
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Online nomination form completed by the nominator (open the form).
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Letter of nomination outlining reasons for nomination, background, outstanding service and achievements, including community and civic activities as they relate to the award (recommended length not to exceed 2000 words).
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Narrative bio or CV for the nominee.
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Optional letters of support from up to five members of the Law Society or the public. Nominators must collect and file these letters with the nomination. If more than five are submitted, only the first five will be considered. PDF is preferred and documents should not be password protected. Letters can be addressed to:
Law Society Awards
Law Society of Ontario
130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N6
Eligibility Criteria
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The Law Society considers nominations and presents awards at its sole discretion as a public interest regulator.
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The eligibility period begins on the nomination deadline date and ends when the award is conferred.
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Nominees must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.
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Posthumous nominations are not considered.
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Nominees whose licences are revoked or suspended at any time during the eligibility period are not eligible.
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Nominees who are, at any time during the eligibility period, a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario or an employee of the Law Society of Ontario are not eligible.
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Nominations remain on file for two consecutive years and are subject to these eligibility rules each year.
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In extraordinary circumstances, the Law Society may revoke an award from a recipient who is no longer deemed deserving.
Selection Process
Nominations are reviewed by the Treasurer’s Appointments Advisory Group, chaired by the Treasurer of the Law Society. The committee includes the Treasurer, appointed benchers to the Treasurer’s Appointments Advisory Group, the chair of the Paralegal Standing Committee, the Chief Justice of Ontario, a nominee of the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, the chair of Ontario Law Deans, the president of the Ontario Bar Association, the president of The Advocates’ Society, the chair of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, and the President of the Ontario Paralegal Association. Recommendations are reported to Convocation in camera and must be approved by Convocation.
Nominations are considered for two consecutive years and need not be refiled the second year. If not recognized after two years, a new package with updated information may be submitted.
Announcement of Award Recipients
Recipients’ names will be made public after all honorees have been contacted and will be published on the Law Society’s website and by news release.
Questions
E: awards@lso.ca
P: (416) 947-3946
P: (800) 668-7386 x. 3946
Award Details
Law Society Medal
Established in 1985, the Law Society Medal recognizes lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding service through ongoing devotion to professional duties or through a single distinguished professional or academic accomplishment that accords with the highest ideals of the legal community. It has been awarded to more than 200 lawyers since its inception.
Learn more about the Law Society Medal
Lincoln Alexander Award
Honours an Ontario lawyer or paralegal who has shown an enduring commitment to community service on behalf of Ontarians. Created in 2002 in honour of The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander to recognize his dedication to the people of Ontario and the legal community.
Learn more about the Lincoln Alexander Award
Laura Legge Award
Presented annually to a woman lawyer from Ontario who has exemplified leadership within the profession. Established in 2007 in honour of Laura Legge, the first woman elected as a Bencher of the Law Society and the first woman to serve as Treasurer.
Learn more about the Laura Legge Award
William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award
Recognizes a paralegal who has demonstrated one or more of the following: outstanding professional achievement; contribution to the development of the profession; devotion to professional duties; adherence to best practices and mentoring of others in best practices; a history of community service; and personal character that brings credit to the paralegal profession.
Learn more about the William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award
J. Shirley Denison Award
Bestowed annually in honour of former Treasurer John Shirley Denison, this award recognizes significant contributions to access to justice and or poverty issues. Both paralegal and lawyer licensees of the Law Society of Ontario are eligible. The award succeeds the J. Shirley Denison Fund, which was closed in 2014.