Canada: 2026 Lexpert Rising Stars Awards Winners Honor Top Under 40 Lawyers

• Canadian Lawyer and Lexpert recently announced the 2026 Lexpert Rising Stars Awards winners, recognizing outstanding lawyers under 40.
• The awards gala in Toronto, hosted by Farah Nasser, celebrated the achievements of nearly 500 attendees.
• Adam Goldenberg of McCarthy Tétrault and Michael Currie of Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP were among the honorees, expressing gratitude for the recognition.
• Gold Sponsor Norton Rose Fulbright, along with other firms and organizations, provided crucial support for the event.
• Jennifer Teskey of Norton Rose Fulbright highlighted the awards' role in championing the next generation of legal leaders.

The firm's backing of the Lexpert Rising Stars Awards precisely embodies this commitment, offering a chance to acknowledge exceptional talent and foster the future leaders of the legal field.

The 2026 Lexpert Rising Stars Awards recently honored Canada's most distinguished legal professionals under the age of 40, an annual recognition presented by Canadian Lawyer and Lexpert. This prestigious event serves to highlight the exceptional contributions and burgeoning leadership within the nation's legal community. The winners of these highly anticipated Canadian Lawyer Lexpert awards were unveiled during a vibrant gala held at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.

The celebratory evening, which drew nearly 500 attendees, was expertly hosted by Farah Nasser, an acclaimed journalist and former national news anchor. The gathering provided a significant platform for colleagues and friends to acknowledge and applaud the achievements of Canada's outstanding lawyers under 40, marking a pivotal moment in their careers and underscoring the depth of talent across the country.

Among the celebrated 2026 Lexpert Rising Stars Awards winners was Adam Goldenberg, a partner at McCarthy Tétrault. Goldenberg expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, noting the honor of being acknowledged alongside his accomplished peers, including fellow McCarthy Tétrault partners Jeremy Pleasant and James Kelsall. He reflected on the demanding nature of legal careers for individuals and their families, emphasizing that while intrinsic satisfaction is significant, external validation remains deeply appreciated.

Goldenberg extended his thanks to various groups instrumental in his success: his clients, who entrusted him with challenging and often meaningful work; his mentors, both within McCarthy Tétrault and beyond, for imparting advocacy skills and integrity; his parents, for instilling the values of hard work and professional excellence in service to others; and his husband, for infusing personal joy into even the most difficult days and tolerating his occasional intense focus on cases. Another distinguished recipient, Michael Currie, a partner at Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP, offered a lighthearted yet sincere acceptance. Currie humorously referenced the astronomical definition of a star as a "giant ball of hot gas held together by its own gravity," quipping that he had finally found an award that truly understood him. He concluded by expressing his honor to be part of such an esteemed group and acknowledged his firm's invaluable support and mentorship.

The successful execution of the Lexpert Rising Stars Awards relies heavily on the generous backing of numerous sponsors from across the Canadian legal and business landscape. Gold Sponsor Norton Rose Fulbright played a significant role in enabling this year's celebration. Jennifer Teskey, the Canadian managing partner for Norton Rose Fulbright, emphasized that a robust legal profession not only accommodates but actively champions fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and emerging leadership.

Teskey articulated that the firm's backing of the Lexpert Rising Stars Awards precisely embodies this commitment, offering a chance to acknowledge exceptional talent and foster the future leaders of the legal field. Additional Gold Sponsors contributing to the event's success included Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Torkin Manes LLP, Langlois Avocats, Ross Nasseri LLP, and McMillan LLP. Further support came from Silver Sponsor Dye & Durham; Associate Sponsors Bovine Wine Club and Lawson Lundell LLP; Red Carpet Sponsor Paybilt; Education Partners Osgoode Hall Law School and York University; and Experience Sponsor Orient Retreat.

This article celebrates individual achievements within the Canadian legal profession, recognizing rising talent. While it highlights prominent lawyers and firms, it does not present any direct actionable legal or compliance implications for practitioners, such as new regulations, filing deadlines, or changes in legal precedent.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Lawyer and Lexpert.