TORONTO — A noted Six Nations woman will be recognized by the Law Society of Ontario for outstanding achievement as a lawyer.
Dr. Beverly Jacobs has been named this year’s recipient of the Laura Legge Award.
Jacobs is a Mohawk Bear Clan mother and grandmother from Six Nations whose work as a lawyer has centred around ending gendered colonial violence against Indigenous people and restoring Indigenous laws, beliefs, values, and traditions. She was called to the bar in 2003 and serves as the Associate Dean at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law.
Jacobs is the former president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada and was named to the Order of Canada in 2018.
The award recognizes women lawyers from Ontario who have exemplified leadership within the profession.
It was established in 2007 in honour of the late Laura Legge who was the first woman ever elected as a bencher of the Law Society and the first woman to serve as Treasurer.
Jacobs will receive the award virtually during the annual Law Society Awards on May 26.
“It is important that we publicly acknowledge those who bring distinction and honour to our professions,” said Law Society Treasurer Teresa Donnelly. “In doing so, we recognize the contributions they have made, while identifying them as role models to other members, colleagues and stakeholders, and reaffirming the public’s confidence and trust in the legal professions.”
