Nominate a leader in access to justice for the expanded Sidney B. Linden Awards

Published: November 13, 2025

Do you know someone who has shown a strong commitment to supporting access to justice for low-income Ontarians? Is there a person who regularly goes above and beyond in their delivery or support of legal aid services?

If so, consider nominating them for a Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award. Legal Aid Ontario has expanded the awards to include four categories, recognizing outstanding individuals at different stages of their careers and honouring both emerging and established leaders.

The categories are:

1. Student Award – Recognizes post-secondary students who demonstrate exceptional promise in advancing access to justice and legal aid services. Eligible nominees include students currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in Ontario, including but not limited to law school, university programs and college programs.

2. Rising Leader Award – Recognizes professionals in the early stage of their careers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to access to justice and legal aid services. Eligible nominees include individuals in the first 10 years of their careers.

3. Changemaker Award – Recognizes professionals who are driving innovation and systemic change in access to justice and legal aid services. This award is open to individuals at any career stage whose work has tangibly addressed barriers to justice or reimagined how legal aid and justice services are delivered.

4. Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognizes individuals whose careers reflect a sustained, distinguished dedication to advancing access to justice and legal aid services in Ontario. This award honours career-spanning contributions that serve as an inspiring example of unwavering commitment to low-income Ontarians.

Nominees may be lawyers, paralegals, LAO service providers (including staff of community legal clinics, student legal services organizations and Indigenous legal services organizations), academics, post-secondary students, policy professionals, and other professionals.

Across all four categories, the awards will honour those who have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to supporting low-income Ontarians by contributing their time, expertise, or service to enhance access to justice and legal aid services.

Nominate someone!

Please consider nominating someone you know by completing the nomination form and sending it to LAO’s External Relations department at external.relations@lao.on.ca.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

For more information contact external.relations@lao.on.ca.