Irwin Dorfman

Irwin Dorfman, , (March 27, 1908 – November 9, 1993) was a Canadian lawyer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, eventually becoming senior counsel with the firm of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman. In addition to a busy legal practice in the areas of taxation and corporate matters, he was active in his community and in the profession. He served as president of the Law Society of Manitoba and as the national president of the Canadian Bar Association, the first Jewish president in the Association's history.

Early life Born in Winnipeg in 1908, Dorfman was the son of Moses and Dora Dorfman. He attended St John's Technical High School and then the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1927 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He followed that with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Manitoba Law School in 1931, graduating with the gold medal for his class. He also served as special counsel for the Federal Department of Justice.

Dorfman practised in the areas of corporate law and tax law, earning a reputation for extensive and precise knowledge of the law.

Leadership in the legal profession Dorfman served as president of the Manitoba Bar Association from 1965 to 1966. He was elected the president of the Law Society of Manitoba, serving from 1971 to 1972.

Community service Dorfman was active in his community his entire life, particularly the Jewish community in Winnipeg. He was an executive member of the Young Men's Hebrew Association and the President of the Winnipeg branch of B'nai B'rith. He was also a board member for the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, and served a term as President of the Shaarey Zedek Brotherhood.

During World War II, Dorfman was a director of the Trans-Migration Bureau of the Joint Distribution Committee in New York City, an organization dedicated to raising funds and assisting Jewish refugees to escape from Nazi-occupied portions of Europe. He later said that this work was one of the most significant events in his life. He also served on the Joint Distribution Committee of the Canadian Jewish Committee for Refugees, and helped to raise $30,000 for that group. He also helped raise funds for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was also on the board of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Death

Dorfman died on November 9, 1993, at the age of 85. He was still working at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, and was said to have taken a file with him to hospital to work on the day he died.

Honours and awards

1950 - appointed Queen's Counsel by the Government of Manitoba. 1972 - appointed a Life Bencher of the Law Society of Manitoba. 1977 - awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal by the Governor-General of Canada. 1977 - awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by the University of Manitoba.