They are the inaugural recipients of the award in the southwest region
The Ontario Bar Association (OBA) has awarded Mary Jo Nolan and Jasminka Kalajdzic for their significant contributions to access to justice.
The OBA has created special regional recognitions to acknowledge lawyers who have significantly impacted access to justice in Ontario. Nolan and Kalajdzic from Windsor are the inaugural recipients in the southwest region.
“As a long-time member of the association, one of the things I’ve been most proud of is the unbelievable amount of pro bono work our members are doing, as well as the numerous other ways they have been contributing to improving access to justice,” OBA president Karen Perron said.
“We know that this work is the cornerstone of a fair and just society. It ensures that individuals, regardless of their background, can access the legal system.”
Nolan worked for 15 years as a child welfare advocate, helping vulnerable clients access equitable justice. She was the first female case management master in Ontario and the first female judge appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Essex county. Nolan sat on the provincial civil rules committee and has taught at the University of Windsor. After retiring from the bench, she has continued to help her community as a mediator and arbitrator.
Kalajdzic teaches at the University of Windsor and is the founding director of the class actions clinic at Windsor Law. She is also a lecturer and expert on class action law and has authored two books and numerous legal articles.
Perron said that lawyers like Nolan and Kalajdzic are critical in promoting access to justice, advocating for fairer laws and policies, and providing knowledge and guidance to those in need and other lawyers.
“Both Justice Nolan and Prof. Kalajdzic personify the idea that lawyers play a critical role in levelling the playing field, ensuring that everyone has the ability to access the legal system and assert their rights,” Perron commented.
