Throughout a 30-year career with Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Connie Reeve, Law’82, has excelled in her law practise. Starting in her early days there, she also became an influential mentor. On June 4, the Labour and Employment section of the Ontario Bar Association saluted both sets of contributions by presenting her with the 2015 Randall Echlin Mentorship Award.

Reeve, a partner at Blakes’ Toronto office and a former leader of its Employment & Labour practice, is recognized as an expert in her field by numerous legal guides, including Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business and Best Lawyers in Canada.

She began mentoring summer and articling students with the firm, and then spent several years as the chair of its Student Recruitment Committee. “Her door is always open to students, junior lawyers and peers for sound advice and consultation,” wrote one of her nominators. “Connie is, quite simply, an exceptional mentor.”

Why does she devote so much of her time to advising and guiding her junior colleagues? “I enjoy the enthusiasm young lawyers bring to the practice of law – it is energizing!” she exclaims. “I find it rewarding to see mentees progress along the learning curve and take pleasure in watching younger colleagues mature into excellent lawyers.”

Encouraging collegiality is another benefit that reaps broader rewards, Reeve says. “I believe that effective mentoring fosters strong and positive working relationships and thus encourages team building within a law firm.”

That’s something she experienced starting in her school days at Queen’s Law. “I was fortunate to have access to good mentors at law school and throughout my professional career,” Reeve adds, fondly recalling Professors Ron Deslisle, Don Carter, Bev Baines, Sonny Sadinsky and Bernie Adell – just some of the faculty members who had an influence on her development as a lawyer.