Lawyers and paralegals in Ontario have elected 45 benchers to serve in Convocation, the decision-making body of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), for the next four years. The election took place on April 28 and the results were announced on the LSO website.
The elected benchers include 40 lawyers, 20 from inside Toronto and 20 from outside the city, as well as five paralegals. In addition, eight lay benchers appointed by the Provincial government will join them in Convocation. The newly elected benchers will take office at the May 25, 2023 Convocation.
Convocation meets approximately eight times a year to discuss and decide on policy matters and govern the affairs of the LSO. The composition of Convocation is mandated by the Law Society Act, which requires that it be made up of 40 elected lawyer benchers, five elected paralegal benchers, and eight lay benchers who are not lawyers or paralegals.
The LSO plays an important role in regulating the legal profession in Ontario, ensuring that lawyers and paralegals meet high standards of professionalism and competence. The elected benchers will work with the LSO to fulfill this mandate and represent the interests of lawyers and paralegals across the province.
The following candidates were elected and will take office at the May 25, 2023 Convocation:
| Toronto | Outside Toronto |
|---|---|
| Gerald Chan* | Kathryn Whitehead (CE) * |
| Sidney H. Troister | Andrew Spurgeon (CS) * |
| Atrisha Lewis | Jennifer Gold (CW-CO) * |
| Annamaria Enenajor | Mitchell Kitagawa (E) * |
| Jonathan Rosenthal | Joelle Malette (NE) * |
| John Callaghan | Cheryl C. M. Siran (NW-NO) * |
| Tanya Walker | Greg Monforton (SW-SO) * |
| Heather L. Hansen | Neha Chugh (E) |
| Rebecca C. Durcan | Jacqueline Horvat (SW-SO) |
| Julia Shin Doi | Laura L. Emmett (CS) |
| Margaret L. Waddell | Natalia U. Rodriguez (E) |
| Isfhan Merali | Jasminka Kalajdzic (SW-SO) |
| Peter C. Wardle | Sonia Ouellet (E) |
| Pam Hrick | Karen Hulan (SW-SO) |
| Catherine Rhinelander | Quinn Ross (SW-SO) |
| William C. McDowell | Kevin L. Ross (SW-SO) |
| Megan E. Shortreed | Matthew Wilson (SW-SO) |
| Shalini Konanur | Cathi Mietkiewicz (CW-CO) |
| Stephen Rotstein | Stephanie L. Sutherland (CS) |
| Mark Surchin | Michael Winward (CS) |
*Regional bencher
Elected benchers (paralegals)
| Michelle Lomazzo |
| Paula Callaghan |
| Demetra Dimokopoulos |
| Deborah June Moriah |
| Mike Radan |
