The Honourable Robert Wells, Q.C. Award
The Canadian Bar Association Newfoundland and Labrador Branch (CBA-NL) Honourable Robert Wells, Q.C. Award recognizes and celebrates the valuable contributions our members make to community and charitable causes.
The award, previously known as the Distinguished Public Service Award, was established in 2000. Past recipients are listed below. In 2022, the award was renamed after the late Honourable Robert Wells, Q.C.
Justice Wells was a Rhodes Scholar (1953). He was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales (1958) and the Bar of Newfoundland (1959). He had a distinguished career as a practising lawyer for 28 years and a Supreme Court Justice of NL (Trial Division) for 22 years. He served as a member of the House of Assembly, Minister of Health and Government House Leader, President of the Law Society of NL, National President of the Canadian Bar Association, Chairman of the Board of Janeway Child Health Centre and Commissioner for the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Memorial University (2016) and by the Benchers of the Law Society (2002), and was an Honorary Inspector of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Award eligibility
Nominees must:
- Be a member of CBA-NL
- Be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Demonstrate exceptional contributions and/or achievements volunteering their time or skills for the betterment of the community, a non-profit organization or charity
Members of the current CBA-NL Executive Committee and CBA Board of Directors are not eligible.
Nomination procedure
A nomination must include:
- A letter of nomination with details of how the nominee meets the award criteria (above). Nominators must confirm that their nominee is aware of the nomination.
- Letters of support (maximum of two, strongly recommended).
- Additional supporting information (for example, copies of media mentions, articles, details of initiatives, etc.) may also be provided.
Completed nominations must be submitted to:
CBA-NL Award Committee
c/o Robyn Davis, Executive Director
Canadian Bar Association – Newfoundland and Labrador Branch
Email to: cba-nl@cba.org
Deadline for nominations
Nominations are now closed for the 2022 award. Check back in spring 2023 for the deadline to submit for the 2023 award.
Selection process
Selection will be made by the CBA-NL Award Committee, which is appointed by the CBA-NL Executive. A maximum of one award recipient will be selected annually. The committee retains the right to not present the award in any given year.
Presentation and recognition
The award is presented at the annual CBA-NL President’s Reception.
The award recipient will receive an engraved glass award, be featured in the CBA-NL magazine Squid Pro Quo and be recognized in a CBA-NL press release posted online and to social media.
CBA-NL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Honourable Robert Wells, Q.C. Award
- 2022: Rodney Zdebiak
Community Service Award (2013–2017)
- 2017: Gobhina Nagarajah
Distinguished Public Service Award (2000–2017)
- 2013: Tom Williams
- 2012: Chris Pike
- 2011: Bruce Grant
- 2010: Frank Fowler
- 2009: Lois Hoegg
- 2008: Wayne Thistle
- 2007: William Goodridge
- 2006: Gary Peddle
- 2005: Norm Whalen
- 2004: Ernest Reid
- 2003: John Baker
- 2002: Paul McDonald
- 2001: Corwin Mills
- 2000: Douglas Moores
(not awarded in 2014, 2015, 2016)