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 has served his community and our profession at the national, provincial, and local levels. He has held leadership positions at both the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations, founded the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education, and is currently serving with the National Action Committee on Access to Justice. In the latter role, he is organizing the first national conference on research in access to justice and data. Doug has served in many leadership roles in the London community, including president of Covent Garden Market during its reconstruction. To pay back the gift of life he received from his liver transplant, he has chaired fundraisers for the Transplant Unit at London Health Sciences Centre and was a board member of Trillium Gift of Life Network. He is a former National President of the Liberal Party of Canada and was a candidate in the 2011 federal election. He is a past recipient of the MLA Access to Justice and Distinguished Service Awards. Doug was for many years the Director of Community Legal Services at Western Law and is currently in private practice and sitting as a Small Claims Court deputy judge.

Members:

Wendy Cavacas – 

Danielle D’Alonzo –Danielle 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 is the Secretary of the London Criminal Lawyers’ Association, a member of the Ontario Criminal Lawyers’ Association Women’s Committee, and is co-chair of the Women’s Mentorship Group for London criminal lawyers. Danielle also serves on the Board of Directors of Youth Opportunities Unlimited.

Hilary Jenkins – 

Kristen Dearlove –

Michael Lamb –

Awards Committee - Terms of Reference