Louise Arbour Wins International Tang Prize in Rule of Law
MONTRÉAL, June 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) is pleased to announce the Honourable Louise Arbour, CC, GOQ, counsel and jurist in residence at BLG, has been named laureate of the 2016 Tang Prize in the Rule of Law category. Madam Arbour is the second person in history to receive this prestigious award, and was selected by an international jury of experts, organized by the Academia Sinica, Taiwan's top research institution.
"Louise Arbour is one of the most influential legal minds of our times, and we are very proud to have her on our team, sharing her knowledge and experience with our lawyers and clients," said Sean Weir, national managing partner and CEO at BLG. "To be recognized by such a significant and distinguished international award as the Tang Prize reinforces the positive impact Louise Arbour has made on the law around the world."
Madam Arbour provides strategic advice to lawyers in BLG's International Trade and Arbitration Group, in particular on issues pertaining to international disputes. She also serves as a mentor to younger lawyers. Madam Arbour is a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty.
Prior to joining BLG, Madam Arbour sat as a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1999 to 2004, on the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Ontario. She has held senior positions at the United Nations, including that of High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"The Selection Committee for the Rule of Law nominated Madam Arbour in recognition of her enduring contributions to international criminal justice and the protection of human rights, as well as her work in promoting peace, justice and security in Canada and abroad, to expand the frontiers of freedom for all," stated Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern, CEO of the Tang Prize Foundation. "The Selection Committee notes in particular that, through her extensive juridical and academic work, Madame Arbour has facilitated the conceptual developments of legal regimes that are fundamental to human rights and international peace and justice, addressing a wide range of liberties and gender issues."
"I am very honoured to receive the Tang Prize. And equally surprised! I have been privileged to work in many different venues, all related to the pursuit of the Rule of Law as the framework for the advancement of human rights and equality," said Madam Arbour. "I am pleased to continue today at a leading national law firm that supports my advocacy work and reflects my commitment to the advancement of women's leadership and to providing access to justice to the communities we serve."
Madam Arbour will be in attendance at the Award Ceremony in September in Taiwan.
About The Tang Prize
The Tang Prize is an international award founded in 2012 by Samuel Yin, who was inspired in part by the Nobel Prize. The Tang Prize celebrates achievements in four categories: Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law.
The Tang Prize in the Rule of Law is awarded to individuals or institutions who have made significant contributions to the rule of law, reflected not only in the achievement of the candidate in the advancement of legal theory or practice, but also in the realization of the rule of law in contemporary societies through the influences or inspiration of the work of the candidate.
About Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) is a leading, national, full-service Canadian law firm focusing on business law, commercial litigation and arbitration, and intellectual property solutions for our clients. BLG is one of the country's largest law firms with more than 725 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other professionals in five cities across Canada. We assist clients with their legal needs, from major litigation to financing to trademark and patent registration.
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