Saskatoon-based lawyer recognized for commitment to
representing children and youth
TORONTO, ON, September 22,
2011 – Miller Thomson lawyer Charmaine Panko was
presented with a Zenith Award last night, in the category of Pro Bono of the
Year by an Individual Lawyer. The Zenith Awards recognize
Canadian law firms, in-house departments and law students who have committed
their time, skills and mentorship to corporate and law firm social
responsibility.
Charmaine Panko is an Associate in the Saskatoon
office of Miller Thomson, where she specializes in conflict resolution as a
collaborative lawyer, mediator, arbitrator and trainer. She was chosen for the award for her work with the Child and Youth
Representation Roster in Saskatchewan, where she has helped lend a voice to
children and youth involved in child welfare proceedings since 2008.
“During her career, Charmaine has been
dedicated to providing pro bono services to protect the rights of children and
youth,” said Rick Van Beselaere, Managing Partner of Miller
Thomson’s offices in Regina and Saskatoon. “She applies that same sense of dedication and
commitment to her clients and to serving as a mentor to lawyers throughout
Saskatchewan, particularly in areas of dispute resolution and negotiation.”
Panko volunteers with Pro Bono Students Canada and as
a mentor with the CBA student mentoring program. She is a lawyer on the
Children’s Advocate Office Child and Youth Representation Roster, where she
provides independent legal counsel to children in child protection proceedings. She has also contributed to the Saskatchewan Trial
Lawyers Association newsletter and CBA Bar Notes. Panko is also actively
involved in the community, and regularly volunteers as a board member for
non-profit organizations.
“Miller Thomson is committed to identifying opportunities where we can assist
members of our communities who are unable to obtain access to justice or legal
services,” said Gerald Courage, Chair of Miller Thomson. “The dedication of
people like Charmaine fuels the success of our Pro Bono program, helping to
make a difference in communities across Canada.
Panko was called to the Saskatchewan bar in 2007. She
graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law with distinction,
and is now recognized in her specialty area of practice as a sessional lecturer
to upper year students, teaching Negotiation at the College of Law.
About
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson LLP is a national
business law firm with more than 470 lawyers working from 11 offices across
Canada. The firm offers a complete range of business law, advocacy and personal
legal services. Miller Thomson works regularly with in-house legal departments
and external counsel world-wide to facilitate cross-border and multinational
transactions and business needs. Miller Thomson offices are located in Toronto,
Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo,
Guelph, Markham and Montréal.
###
For more information:
Monique Wijgerse, Miller
Thomson LLP, 416-595-8635, mwijgerse@millerthomson.com
Stuart Rudner, a partner in Miller Thomson’s Markham office, received a Lexpert Zenith Award in the category of Philanthropy International
Rudner is a member of the board of the Lawyers International Food Enterprise (LIFE), which was recognized for its mission to raise awareness about child poverty around the world among members of the legal profession.
LIFE operates on a volunteer basis and is part of a joint venture with the Stephen Lewis Foundation and World Vision Canada. LIFE specifically supports World Vision’s “Survive 5” project in Tanzania, whose goal is to improve the survival and growth of all boys and girls under the age of five by enhancing their access to basic health and nutrition.
To date, LIFE has raised more than $250,000 and has hundreds of volunteers and thousands of supporters. Rudner chaired an event in June that raised more than $30,000 in support of this great cause.
