Sunday, November 24, 2013

Lawyers Club Past Presidents' Dinner

Last week was the Past Presidents' Dinner of the Lawyers Club. It is an annual tradition to welcome the current president (and future Past President) into that august body. Some of Ontario's greatest jurists were presidents and I had the honour to meet them decades ago when I was much younger and they were still alive. At one point being president of The Lawyers Club was the fast track to an appointment as a judge. Sadly, no more.

At least I got to wear my new fancy velvet dinner jacket from a recent trip to London and see some old friends. One of the oldest traditions is the Past Presidents' Cup, which is filled with champagne and passed around until it reaches the newest Past President (welcome John Mclellan) who has to finish it before giving his speech. The addition of up to 32 oz (!) of champagne has made for some memorable speeches (for the listeners, anyway - some of the speakers may not remember what they said).

If you look closely, you can see my name on the Presidents' Cup from 1997.