2017 Zenith Award Winners

Michelle Henry is a partner in the firm’s labour and employment group in Toronto who has shown exceptional leadership within equity-seeking groups. In 2016, Michelle co-founded the Black Business Law Clinic, a free legal clinic dedicated to serving businesses within the GTA’s black community through pro-bono business-related legal services. She’s a lifetime member, past board member and current Professional Development Committee member of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and a mentor to black female students and lawyers through CABL’s mentorship program. She’s an OBA council member and serves as chair of the OBA’s Pro Bono Subcommittee. She also serves as co-chair of the trial division of the University Tribunal, hearing charges related to academic offences. Michelle is a vice-chair of the board for LOFT Community Services and a board member for Catholic Charities.

As team leader for youth justice at 311 Jarvis, Miriam Henry has been directly responsible for diverting cases through such specialty courts as the Aboriginal Youth Court and the Community Youth Court — enabling young people to reconnect with their heritage and get much needed support for mental health and addiction issues. Her work has reduced incarceration rates for youth in the Toronto courthouse. Miriam has also worked as part of the Cross- Over Youth project, which assists young people in the youth criminal system and child protection proceedings. Under her leadership, Crown attorneys have worked together to focus on the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth at risk. She has changed the course of many lives by preventing criminalization and offering young people the opportunity to become responsible, contributing adults.

Alix Herber inspires and connects clients and lawyers at Fasken Martineau. She has served as Chair of the Ontario Women’s Network (OWN) at Fasken Martineau since 2013. OWN is focused on mentoring women lawyers to ensure their retention and career growth, and provides networking and business-development opportunities. Alix leads development of a series of events for OWN, providing opportunities to connect with clients while encouraging collective personal and professional development. At the series opener, guest speakers provided strategies for developing a leader’s mindset, followed by sessions focused on the art of thriving and mindfulness for lawyers as part of the “Living Fulfilling Lives” theme. She is a past member of the Human Rights Watch Toronto Network and a past board member of Jessie’s: The June Callwood Centre for Young Women.