MLA Awards

The MLA Awards

Award for Distinguished Service, recognizes an MLA member whose career reflects exceptional service, leadership, integrity, and achievement in the legal profession and/or community.  The award may recognize sustained excellence as a solicitor, barrister, academic, mentor, administrator, or community leader, or a single act of notable distinction or innovation that advances the ideals of the profession.

Award for Access to Justice, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a significant commitment to improving access to justice in Middlesex County.  This may include outstanding service through Legal Aid Ontario, pro bono work, community legal education, academic contribution relating to legal aid or access to justice, or innovative initiatives and partnerships that improve access to legal services for underserved communities.

Rising Star Award, recognizes individuals who have been practicing for less than 10 years and has already distinguished themselves through professional excellence, leadership, civility, community involvement, and a clear commitment to the ideals of the legal profession.

Award for Philanthropy, recognizes an MLA member whose exceptional dedication to the community is demonstrated through charitable giving, volunteerism, fundraising, board of leadership service, or sustained support of not-for-profit or community organizations.

Award for Distinguished Paralegal, recognizes a paralegal whose career demonstrates exceptional service, achievement, leadership and contribution to the paralegal profession and/or the community.  The award may recognize excellence in practice, mentorship, education, leadership or a single act of notable distinction or innovation that advances the ideals of the profession.

*Updated in August 2026

2026 Awards Committee

Douglas Ferguson (Chairperson)

Doug Ferguson is a lawyer, teacher, mentor, and reformer with a remarkable record of service locally, provincially, and nationally. He served as Adjunct Professor and Director of Community Legal Services at Western University’s Faculty of Law from 2003 to 2020, providing thousands of low-income residents with access to legal help while training the next generation of lawyers.

Doug was the founding president of the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education and has held leadership roles in both the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations. He continues to contribute nationally as a member of the National Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters, where he organized a highly successful national research conference on access to justice and data in the justice system in 2026.

As a transplant recipient, Doug has paid back the gift of life he received by chairing fundraisers for the London Health Sciences Centre Multi-Organ Transplant Program and serving on the board of the Trillium Gift of Life Network, advancing organ donation and patient care. Deeply engaged in civic life, his many community leadership roles include service as president of the Covent Garden Market during its reconstruction, the Canadian Club of London, and National President of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 2026 Doug was awarded the Law Society Medal.

Members:

Wendy Cavacas

Wendy Cavacas is the founder and principal of Matters in Law Paralegal Services, a sole proprietorship with a focus on Small Claims Court and Landlord and Tenant Board matters.

Licensed since 2016, Wendy combines a strong litigation practice with a deep commitment to the legal community.

This dedication is reflected in their role organizing monthly lunch meetings for local legal practitioners and students—an initiative designed to foster social connections, boost professional competency, and provide vital mentorship to new licensees.

Wendy is pleased to bring this spirit of community and professional development to this year’s awards committee.

Danielle D’Alonzo

Danielle D’Alonzo is a Partner at Snow Lawyers Professional Corporation. She is a criminal defence lawyer and defends clients charged with criminal offences throughout Southwestern Ontario. Her practice has developed a particular focus on complex evidentiary and constitutional applications in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. Danielle is passionate about protecting the rights of her clients, which include some of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community. Danielle values service to her community. She is a supervising lawyer for Pro Bono Students Canada at Western Law, Secretary of the London Criminal Lawyers’ Association, Chair of the Women’s Mentorship Group for London criminal lawyers, and serves on the Board of Directors of Youth Opportunities Unlimited.

Hilary Jenkins

Hilary practices family law in London, Ontario. While Hilary was in law school, she developed a passion for family law as the Family Law Student Supervisor at Western University’s student legal clinic. As a law student, Hilary was the recipient of the Edna Yuet-Lui Memorial Award, the Douglas May Memorial Award, and the Genest Murray Award for Advocacy. Hilary is the Vice President and Secretary of the Middlesex Family Lawyer’s Association. Since 2024, Hilary has been recognized in Best Lawyers Ones to Watch and she has also been the recipient of the Middlesex Family Lawyer’s Association Civility Award and In the Trenches Award.

Hilary’s practice includes fertility law, adoptions as well as representation in family law and child protection matters.

Kristen Dearlove

Kristen Dearlove is Senior Litigation Counsel at Aviva Trial Lawyers in London, Ontario. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, including motor vehicle accident, property damage, and occupiers’ liability matters. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario for various matters, including jury trials.

She received her JD from Western University (2011) and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2012. Prior to joining Aviva in 2022, she practiced for 10 years at a boutique insurance defence firm in London.

Michael Lamb

Michael J. Lamb, J.D. 1985 (converted from LL.B.) Counsel, Cohen Highley LLP, Adjunct Professor of Real Estate Law, Faculty of Law Western University (since 1983), Presenter at Stewart Title Guaranty Company Lecture Series (2012 to 2025), Former Chair of the Elder Abuse London Middlesex network, Committee member MLA CPD Committee (Real Estate)

Awards Committee - Terms of Reference