“I’m highly honoured,” says Donald Bayne, Law’69 (Arts’66, EMBA’01), of his most recent distinction, The Advocates’ Society’s 2016 Catzman Award. “This award is unique, reflecting a renewed focus on civility in litigation by recognizing other professional qualities beyond simply the ability to be a good barrister or write a good factum.”

The Catzman Award for Professionalism & Civility, named after the former justice of the Ontario Court of Appeal, recognizes legal professionals who exemplify knowledge of the law, as well as integrity, fairness and other virtues. 

“It’s wonderful to be acknowledged by one’s peers for these qualities,” says Bayne, a partner at Bayne Sellar Boxall LLP in Ottawa who has practised criminal law for 44 years. 

One of Canada’s foremost criminal lawyers, Bayne is known for defending high-profile clients in complicated cases throughout the years at all levels of courts. Most recently he successfully defended Senator Mike Duffy against charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust in his trial. 

Among countless awards, in 2006, Bayne received the G. Arthur Martin award for significant contributions to criminal justice in Canada and in 2011 he was named the Ottawa Advocate Honoree by The Advocates’ Society.

Referring to his “remarkable contributions to the profession,” as well as “civility and professionalism with everyone in and around the courthouse,” Frank Addario of Addario Law Group in Toronto says Bayne is the ideal recipient. “Without fail, Don is courteous and respectful, even in tense moments during emotionally difficult litigation,” Addario says.

Alan Riddell of Soloway Wright in Ottawa concurs. “Don has tremendous integrity and a deep concern with fairness,” Riddell says. He adds that Bayne’s “habitual civility and professionalism” and “courage, generosity, strong work ethic and unflagging dedication to his clients, colleagues and to the legal profession itself, serve as an important source of inspiration to both young lawyers and his other colleagues in the legal profession.”

For his part, Bayne says the intellectual challenges of criminal law are among its biggest rewards. As well, he adds, “the collegiality of law, and the true professionals I work alongside, make it very satisfying.” 

Bayne cites his experiences with people at Queen’s Law, both as a student and as a lawyer, as being highly influential on his career. “I had such great role models and mentors – professors such as Stuart Ryan, Ron Delisle, Don Stuart, Allan Manson. They have continually inspired me.”

By Kirsteen MacLeod