Sidney B. Linden Access to Justice Award expands to include four categories

Published: November 3, 2025

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 awards presented next year will recognize:

1. a student who shows promise in advancing access to justice and legal aid services

2. a rising leader in the early stage of their career

3. a changemaker in mid-career who leads in driving innovation and systemic impact

4. an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of achievement

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.

Eligible individuals include:

• Lawyers in the private sector
• Community legal clinic staff
• People who work at a student legal aid services organization
• Paralegals
• Academics
• LAO staff lawyers and employees
• Ontario post-secondary students in law school, university or college
• Other professionals

Nominations for all four categories will open shortly. Watch for details.