Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award
2023 recipient: Ann Schweighofer
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is pleased to announce that Ann Schweighofer is the 2023 recipient of the Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award, which is given each year to exceptional individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to access to justice for low-income Ontarians.
Ann, a former office manager at the Rexdale Community Legal Clinic, is known for her devotion to clients and her work ethic among colleagues. The clinic offers free legal services to low-income residents in North Etobicoke.
“Being the recipient of this award is very humbling. I am so grateful for the amazing people I have worked with through the years, and very proud to support the important work that legal clinics do,” Ann said after the award was announced.
The award
Legal Aid Ontario created the Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award to honour exceptional individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to helping low-income people, and have given their time and expertise towards ensuring access to justice in Ontario.
The award is named in honour of Justice Sidney B. Linden, Legal Aid Ontario’s first chair of the board of directors. Justice Linden has been involved with legal aid for over 37 years, and his distinguished professional career has been characterized by a genuine commitment to issues concerning access to justice.
Since its inception, the Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award has been presented to 16 deserving recipients: Nancy Cooper, Lois Cromarty, Danny Morton, Timothy Lutes, Mary Birdsell, Grace Pluchino, Ryan Peck, Bob Richardson, William A. (Bill) Sullivan, Fergus J. (Chip) O’Connor, Peter G. Kirby, Michael Bossin, Barbara Jackman, J. Robert Kellermann, Paul Copeland and the late Dianne Martin.
The award statue
Toronto sculptor Siggy Puchta designed the Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award. The statue depicts the concept of access to justice through the upward and open gesture of ‘the lady of justice’ holding the scales of justice while at the same time welcoming those in need of legal aid services. Siggy’s design also captures the spirit of LAO’s logo.
Past Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award recipients