2009 Graduate, Adam van der Linde, wins CBA Award

Adam van der Linde, a 2009 graduate of the University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Law, has been honoured with the Canadian Bar Association's (CBA) 2009 Edward K. Rowan-Legg Award for his contribution to the CBA as a student member.

“In nominating Adam for this award, I am impressed by his significant academic achievements and by the many profound ways he has committed himself to public service throughout his academic formation, said J. Paul Harquail, a partner at Stewart McKelvey's offices in Saint John, N.B., where Adam is currently articling. A leader to this point in his young career, Adam is poised to be a leader of tomorrow.

A member of the CBA since his first year of law school, Adam is an active participant in the Young Lawyers-CBA. While at UNB Law School, Adam received a number of awards and scholarships. Among his many accomplishments, he wrote a research memorandum that was tabled before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and he was a delegate to the Canadian Constitutional Affairs Conference 2008 in Quebec.

Adam has dedicated himself to those in need of guidance, training or assistance. A peer mentor and tutor, the recipient of a gold level Duke of Edinburgh award, he has provided guidance and mentoring to undergraduate Arts students and also to young adults from coast to coast. He has worked with new immigrants as a teaching assistant and as a teacher houseparent in private school.

Adam is a commissioned officer in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, an active lieutenant in the CIC reserves dedicating time and effort to training cadets and in service to Canada. More recently, he has been instrumental in establishing Fredericton's only francophone Cadet Corps.

The Edward K. Rowan-Legg Award was established by Judi Rowan-Legg in honour of her husband, Edward K. Rowan-Legg of Ontario and Nova Scotia. Ted was a dedicated and active member of the CBA, who served as CBA National Treasurer from 1999 until his death in 2001.

The award, a cash prize of $1,000 and a complimentary registration to the Canadian Legal Conference, recognizes a dedicated contribution to the CBA by a student member and encourages student member participation in the Canadian Legal Conference.

The award was be presented to Adam on Aug. 15, in the Conrad Hotel Ballroom, Dublin.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.

Story re-posted with permission from the Canadian Bar Association.

Posted September 9, 2009 at 8:52 AM