The Donald F. Sim Award for Best Oral Advocate recognizes the importance of the finer qualities of exceptional oral advocacy including quick-thinking, effective delivery and convincing argument. It is named after Donald Finlay Sim (1927-1986), who was an intellectual property lawyer renowned for his exceptional courtroom abilities.
Also known for his sense of humour, Don Sim was admired by his peers both inside and outside the courtroom. For years, he was considered to be Canada’s best courtroom lawyer in intellectual property and was the choice of many law firms needing to retain outside counsel for their best clients. He began his career articling with Harold Fox at McCarthy & McCarthy and remained there until 1969 when he and Harold Fox left to form their own law firm. Don Sim later formed a partnership with Roger Hughes, now a judge of the Federal Court, and Ron Dimock, now of Dimock Stratton LLP.
