Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award
Call for nominations now open!
Do you know someone who has shown a strong commitment to supporting access to justice for low-income Ontarians? We’re now accepting nominations!
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) will celebrate more people who support and advocate for access to justice, thanks to an expansion of the Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award. Previously presented as a single award, LAO will now honour four individuals each year for their exceptional impact at different stages of careers dedicated to access to justice and legal aid work.
The award categories are:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
As in the past, the awards will honour individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to access to justice in Ontario — whether through legal advocacy, community engagement, or tireless support for clients facing systemic barriers.
Named after LAO’s first board chair, Justice Sidney B. Linden, the awards celebrate those who embody fairness, compassion and dedication to public service. The expansion of these awards reflects LAO’s ongoing commitment to recognize and promote diverse leadership in legal aid work across the province. The new categories will highlight a broader range of individuals who, through their time and expertise, advance access to justice for low-income and vulnerable communities, continuing Justice Linden’s legacy of championing meaningful access to justice for all 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.
Nominate a leader in access to justice for the expanded Sidney B. Linden Awards
Updated: 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 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.
Past Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award recipients