Winners of the 2025 Queen’s Law alumni awards – Daniel Brown, Law’04, Kaisha Thompson, Law’16, J. David Wake, KC, Law’72, and Christina Ackermann, Law’89 – will receive their trophies at Celebrate Queen’s Law in Toronto on June 4.
Winners of the 2025 Queen’s Law alumni awards – Daniel Brown, Law’04, Kaisha Thompson, Law’16, J. David Wake, KC, Law’72, and Christina Ackermann, Law’89 – will receive their trophies at Celebrate Queen’s Law in Toronto on June 4.

A criminal justice leader, a litigator advocating for Indigenous clients, a two-term provincial integrity commissioner, and a global corporate executive are this year’s Queen’s Law alumni award recipients.

The Dean’s Council awards committee selected these winners from a strong list of nominees put forward by their fellow graduates.

Daniel Brown, Law’04

H.R.S. Ryan Law Alumni Award of Distinction
(for overall distinction in the legal profession)

Lead counsel at one of Canada’s top-ranked criminal law boutiques, Daniel Brown Law LLP, and a certified specialist in criminal law, Daniel Brown defends clients facing complex, high-stakes charges at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. A co-author of Prosecuting and Defending Sexual Offence Cases (Emond), he is also a sought-after media commentator on cases of public interest. At Queen’s Law, he teaches Advanced Criminal Law and supervises the Criminal Appellate Externship. He also sits on the Federal Judiciary Advisory Committee for Toronto and the GTA and is a past president of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

Kaisha Thompson, Law’16

Dan Soberman Outstanding Young Alumni Award
(for early-career success)

A civil litigator based in Winnipeg at Duboff Edwards Schachter LC, Kaisha Thompson largely dedicates her practice to advancing the rights of First Nations. She advises on matters including elections, governance, and trust law. Previously, at a national firm in Ottawa, she worked on a major class action and travelled across Canada supporting survivors of historical abuse. After losing her husband in 2022, she established a scholarship through the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada to support politically engaged students. In 2024, she received the Manitoba Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award with two colleagues.

J. David Wake, KC, Law’72

Justice Thomas Cromwell Distinguished Public Service Award
(for sustained and outstanding public service)

J. David Wake, KC, served as Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner – an independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly – for two consecutive terms, from 2016 until his retirement in 2025. Called to the Bar in 1974, he practised litigation in Ottawa for two decades before being appointed a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in 1994, later becoming Associate Chief Justice in 1999. He also served as Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Chief Judges (2004–2009) and Vice-Chair of the federal Social Security Tribunal (2013–2016). He was named Queen’s Counsel by the federal Minister of Justice during his litigation career.

Christina Ackermann, Law’89 

J.A. (Alec) Corry Distinguished Alumni Award
(for excelling in a career outside the traditional practice of law)

A seasoned C-suite executive and global board director, Christina Ackermann brings more than 28 years of leadership experience across the pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer products industries. She served as general counsel at Sandoz, Alcon, Valeant (and Bausch Health), and Bausch + Lomb, later leading Bausch + Lomb’s global pharmaceutical business with revenues exceeding USD $750 million. She sits on three public boards – chairing one based in Switzerland – as well as one private board and a non-profit foundation. Also recognized by the Financial Times as one of the world’s top 20 general counsel, Ackermann is a frequent speaker and mentor on leadership, governance, and diversity.

These awards will be presented at the Celebrate Queen’s Law alumni reception on June 4, 5–7 pm, at The National Club in Toronto. Alumni wishing to attend should register in advance to reserve a spot.