James Simmons received one of the highest honours a lawyer can receive, when he was presented with the Advocates' Society Medal on April 14.
The Science North Vale Cavern was jam-packed with law professionals from all over the province, along with Simmons' family and co-workers from Weaver-Simmons LLP.
The award has been in existence since 1974, nearly as long as Kingston native Simmons has been practicing law.
With the distinction, Simmons becomes just the second member of the Law Advocates' Society – a group with a membership of more than 5,500 – from Northern Ontario to receive the medal and the first from Northeastern Ontario.
“I love practicing in the North; I don't have traffic jams, I can make one mistake at a time ... it's marvelous,” laughed Simmons.
“I'm very proud to bring this to Northeastern Ontario, I'm proud for myself and for anyone who practices in Northeastern Ontario.”
The Advocates' Society Medal is the highest expression of esteem that the Society can pay to one of its members and Simmons joins a group of just 26 others who have received the medal.
It is intended to honour those who have demonstrated their pre-eminence as counsel and who are acknowledged unequivocally as leaders of the bar, who have been dedicated members of the Advocates' Society, and who have made a significant contribution to the profession of law and the to the well-being of the community at large.
“The award is of course province-wide and the overwhelming majority of lawyers practicing advocacy are in southern Ontario, so I'm very proud,” said Simmons.
“People came from all over the place and to have my family here with me, it's a spectacular evening.”
