This year's cohort contributed to law reform and policy innovation
Canadian Lawyer has unveiled the 16th edition of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, with this year’s roster including those who have reinvented the profession, meaningfully revamped the system, engaged in transformative advocacy, and attained landmark rulings in high-profile matters.
The legal leaders in 2025 excelled in their craft, contributed to law reform and policy innovation, displayed adaptability and creativity, lived by their values, fostered relationships, and committed to developing emerging talent and mentoring future players within the profession.
“Mentors cultivate and foster their values in others and share their experiences with a new generation – a powerful way to pass on values and support new lawyers,” says Kirsti McHenry, Pro Bono Ontario executive director.
“Influence inherently attracts people, and these lawyers leverage that draw to create opportunities for others,” adds Steve Assie, Thomson Reuters’ general manager of global large law firms. “They understand that their success is inextricably linked to the success of those around them.”
Influence within the country’s legal landscape can also mean landing notable clients and cases, growing practice groups, and steering firms through times of turbulence and rapid change.
Canadian Lawyer notes the following key drivers of change:
- market expansion
- legal tech growth
- generative artificial intelligence (AI) uptake
- regulatory guardrails on AI
- specialization in demand
- cybersecurity litigation risk
- talent competition and role redefinition
The latest cohort of awardees deftly adapted to recent challenges, accepted speaking engagements at significant legal gatherings, and received recognition from their peers, legal media, regulators, and law associations.
How we chose the Top 25
To arrive at this year’s winners, Canadian Lawyer:
- invited nominations from readers, legal associations, and editorial contributors across five categories: business; changemakers; government, non-profits, associations, and judiciary; in-house; and human rights, advocacy, and criminal law
- selected the shortlist via a national survey
- asked its editorial board to vote based on the finalists’ influence on the legal system within the past 18 months
The awardees demonstrated leadership in ESG, technological transformation, mental health, and social equity, among other areas.
“Influence ultimately gravitates toward good people – those who use their platform not merely for personal advancement, but to elevate others,” Assie tells the publication. “These lawyers understand that true influence is measured not by what you achieve alone, but by what you enable others to accomplish.”
The roster for 2025 includes Fraser MacLean, Joseph Neuberger, Beth Beattie, Carole Dagher, Jean-Michel Boudreau, Michael Kelly, and Sharon G. Druker.
Canadian Lawyer congratulates the lawyers named the top 25 most influential for 2025. See more information on all the winners for this year.
