“One of the things that’s attractive about being a judge is the opportunity to write what you think and to move the law forward that way,” says Legate. Her husband, who has written 15 textbooks and many scholarly articles, encouraged her to think of writing as an influential tool. “It has been,” she says.
Legate recently received the 2023 Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Insurance Law. The award recognizes a lawyer’s contribution to the development of insurance law through advocacy, teaching, writing, or legislative reform; professional leadership; maintaining the highest standards of professional competence, honesty, integrity, and civility; and enhancing the profession and community well-being.
For its award for excellence in insurance law, the OBA awards one regional and one Toronto-based lawyer. Deborah Berlach of Stieber Berlach LLP, who practises in Toronto, also won the award.
“When you look back on a career like mine – which is long and has gone through a few iterations – you can’t help but learn some things about what makes a successful lawyer and a practice that you can be proud of,” says Legate.
She learned early on that “you take care of the law, and the law will take care of you… you got to get the law right first.” Another crucial point is that relationships matter. In the aggressive atmosphere of Legate’s early family law practice, forming friendships at the bar went against how she understood her role. “It’s something that I’ve repeated to my juniors and associates. Those relationships actually do matter. The people you work with are good people. They’re doing their job. It’s very important to recognize that.”