Recognizing and Rallying to the Moment: Sworn Guardians of the Justice System Unite

On August 7, at the Bridging Borders event, Ontario Bar Association President Kathryn Manning presented the 2025 President’s Award to American Bar Association President Bill Bay – the first time the honour has been bestowed upon a non-Canadian – in recognition of his leadership in defending the rule of law at the helm of the world’s largest legal association. Bay accepted the award on behalf of all U.S. lawyers who are fighting what he called “the fight of our lifetime.” His speech, alongside the tribute from Manning, both of which appear below, served as a rallying cry  for a profession and a reminder of the critical mission, mandate and purpose that unite lawyers of all stripes.

“In this battle we are not right wing or left wing – we are lawyers.”

Kathryn Manning, president, Ontario Bar Association

The Ontario Bar Association is very pleased to be a partner in this dynamic event and to be able to host esteemed guests from near and far at our Conference Centre – a place that has truly become a home away from home for all lawyers.

In a time during which the views and vantage points that divide us have taken on outsized significance, it is heartening to be here today with colleagues and change-makers across jurisdictions, career stages and areas of practice, with diverse experience, expertise and aspirations, who share a commitment to upholding the rule of law, to safeguarding democratic institutions and fostering a fair and just society.

Wherever we practice, whatever cause, community or clientele we serve, lawyers are sworn guardians of the justice system. 

The OBA is honouring one of those guardians today. 

Each year, the OBA President’s Award is given to a person or organization that has advanced justice in Canada or around the world. It has been bestowed upon extraordinary leaders whose work often transcends borders and lives for generations. 

While usually the award is given to a Canadian, our Board agreed to make a special exception in light of the extraordinary work American lawyers have been called upon to undertake this year.

I am honoured to present ABA President Bill Bay with the OBA’s Presidents Award in recognition of the work of the ABA and all U.S. lawyers who have protected the rule of law for people in the United States and, ultimately, for all of us

We have been watching with admiration and gratitude the courage of the ABA and individual U.S. lawyers over the last year.  We have seen the personal sacrifices you have made to protect the rule of law and other crucial elements of civil society. We have watched with relief as politics stopped at the lawyer’s edge – appointees of all stripes refusing to politicize justice and insisting that all must have equal protection and accountability under the law. 

As Bill himself has said, the Rule of Law is more than a set of rules; it is our calling, and a promise – one that unites all of us who serve on the frontlines of justice. In this battle we are not right wing or left wing – we are lawyers.

Bill has been the reasoned voice, steady hand, and recognizable face of this critical, unexpected battle.  He has stood in front of and beside us all.  He did not have the luxury of anonymity or the character that would allow him to be anything but brave.

Please join me in applauding Bill and the intrepid American lawyers on behalf of whom he is accepting this 2025 OBA President’s Award.  We hope this statue will be a reminder of the fact that you have our gratitude and we have your back. 

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“What unites us is so much more important than what divides us”

Bill Bay, president, American Bar Association

Thank you, Kate, for this incredible honor.

On behalf of the American Bar Association and U.S. lawyers, I accept this prestigious President’s Award.

We are humbled and do not take this lightly.

You all know it has been an extraordinarily challenging year. We are not the same Association that we were a year ago.

We have changed. But change has made us stronger, clearer and more grounded.

We’ve rededicated ourselves to the work the American Bar Association exists to do.

We know our mission.

One of those reasons to exist is to lead the profession … in times like these, when we must fight for the rule of law, our judicial system and our profession.

It is not just crisis management, but crisis leadership our profession seeks.

Kate said it so well.

• This is our moment to lead.
• To tell people why the rule of law matters.
• Why our profession matters.
• Why our courts matter.

I was heartened that, without hesitation, bars from around the globe spoke and issued statements of support for the rule of law.

• They rallied to the moment.
• They proved again they are our partners in the profession.
• But even more than partners; they proved themselves as our friends.
• Friends who are faithful in every circumstance.

As the ABA examined who we are and what we stand for.

• It reminded us of the value of the bond we share with our international colleagues.
• We share a profession and a commitment to the rule of law, our courts and to justice for all.
• We share a mission, a purpose and a mandate.
• What unites us is so much more important than what divides us.

We appreciate OBA President Kate Manning and CBA President Lynne Vicars for your leadership. Lynne and I have met in many places doing bar work – London, Mexico City and Toronto. I cannot say enough good about what your bars have meant to me.

Thank you for standing with us this year when it would have been easy to say nothing. We appreciate your support.

The OBA, CBA, CCCA and Canadian lawyers have been wonderful partners in planning for our Annual Meeting. We’re grateful to join your sessions today and look forward to our joint programming tomorrow. Our time in the great city of Toronto would not be as productive and successful without your collaboration.

In a few days, Michelle Behnke will take the reins of the ABA as President. She is terrific, and she will continue the great work and partnership we have had.

Thank you for this wonderful honor.

Thank you for standing with us and for working alongside us. It means a great deal.

This is the fight of our lifetime.