The Ontario Bar Association (OBA) is a bar association representing more than 16,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Ontario. It is also a branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Approximately two-thirds of all practicing lawyers in Canada belong to the CBA.

Established in 1907, the OBA was incorporated on April 22, 1985. It is a voluntary association for legal members, whereas the regulatory body for lawyers in the province is under the Law Society of Ontario.

The OBA is headed by a President and a 21-member Board of Directors.

Vision and mission

"To be indispensable to our members, the legal profession and the administration of justice in Ontario."

As the professional association for Ontario's lawyers, judges and law students, the OBA will: Advance the interests of our members, the justice system and the rule of law in Ontario; Be the leading provider of high quality continuing professional development for lawyers throughout Ontario; Support a network where all our members share their practical experience, knowledge and ideas.

Mandate and priorities

The mandate of the CBA-OBA is to: improve the law; improve the administration of justice; improve and promote access to justice; promote equality in the legal profession and in the justice system; improve and promote the knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession; represent the legal profession nationally and internationally; and promote the interests of the members of CBA.

Sections

The Ontario Bar Association has 40 specialty groups, or Sections, that focus on substantive areas of the law and the legal profession. More than 10,000 members participate in Ontario Sections. They are:

Aboriginal Law Administrative Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Business Law Canadian Corporate Counsel Association - Ontario Chapter Charity and Not-for-Profit-Law Child and Youth Law Citizenship and Immigration Law Civil Litigation Class Actions Law Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law Construction and Infrastructure Law Criminal Justice Education Law Elder Law Entertainment, Media and Communications Law Environmental Law Family Law Franchise Law Health Law Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law Insolvency Law Insurance Law International Law Labour & Employment Law Law Practice Management Municipal Law Natural Resources and Energy Law Pensions and Benefits Law Privacy and Access to Information Law Public Sector Lawyers Real Property Law Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law Sole Small Firm and General Practice Students Taxation Law Trusts and Estates Law Women Lawyers Forum Workers' Compensation Young Lawyers Division

Presidents

List of recent Presidents of the OBA:

Kathryn Manning 2024–Present Kelly McDermott 2023–2024 Karen Perron 2021–2023 Charlene Theodore 2020–2021 Colin Stevenson 2019–2020 Lynne M.J. Vicars 2018–2019 Quinn M. Ross 2017–2018 David L. Sterns 2016–2017 Edwin G. Upenieks 2015–2016 Orlando Da Silva, LSM 2014–2015 Pascale Daigneault 2013–2014 Morris A. Chochla 2012–2013 The Hon. Paul R. Sweeny 2011–2012 R. Lee Akazaki 2010–2011 The Hon. Carole J. Brown 2009–2010 The Hon. Jamie K. Trimble 2008–2009 Gregory D. Goulin, LSM 2007–2008 James C. Morton 2006–2007 The Hon. Heather McGee 2005–2006 Ian Kirby 2004–2005 Jonathan Speigel 2003–2004 Virginia MacLean, Q.C. 2002–2003 James F. O’Brien 2001–2002 Thomas C. Marshall 2000–2001 Susan T. McGrath 1999–2000 Steven F. Rosenhek 1998–1999 William J. Simpson, Q.C., LSM 1997–1998 The Hon. Michelle K. Fuerst 1996–1997 Douglas J. Los 1995–1996 Igor Ellyn, Q.C. 1994–1995 D. Kevin Carroll, Q.C. 1994–1995 Erica L. James 1993–1994 J. Kenneth Alexander 1992–1993 Garth Manning, Q.C. 1991–1992 Thomas G. Heintzman, Q.C., 1989–1990 J. Douglas Grenkie, Q.C. 1988–1999 Harvey J. Bliss, Q.C. 1987–1988 Stephen R. Cameron 1987–1988 J. Alex Langford 1985–1986 Thomas E, Evans, Q.C. 1984–1985 The Hon. Lorraine Gotlib 1983–1984 Raymond J. Ostiguy 1982–1983 John R. Finley, Q.C. 1981–1982 The Hon. Joseph Potts 1980–1981 The Hon. Mr. Justice John R.R. Jennings 1979–1980 William H. Kidd, Q.C. 1978–1979

See also Law Society of Ontario Manitoba Bar Association

References

External links Ontario Bar Association