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 can be viewed on our website. In 2022, the award was renamed after the late Honourable Robert Wells, Q.C.
Justice Wells was a Rhodes Scholar (1953), admitted to the Bar of England and Wales (1958) and the Bar of Newfoundland (1959) followed by a distinguished career as a practicing 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 Doctorate of Laws by Memorial University (2016) and by the Benchers of the Law Society (2002), and was an Honorary Inspector of the RNC.
Award Eligibility
Nominees must be a member of CBA-NL and a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nominees must 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
- To include details of how the nominee meets the award criteria of having demonstrated exceptional contributions and/or achievements volunteering their time or skills for the betterment of the community, a non-profit organization or charity.
- Nominators must confirm that their nominee is aware of the nomination.
- Letters of support are strongly recommended (maximum of two).
- Additional supporting information (e.g. 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 Ashley Woodford, Executive Director
Canadian Bar Association – Newfoundland and Labrador Branch
Email to: cba-nl@cba.org
Deadline for Nominations
Nominations must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, July 6.
Selection Process
Selection will be made by the CBA-NL Award Committee, 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 2022 award will be presented at the 2022 President’s Reception on Thursday, August 18.
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.