Lexpert magazine has touted Anne Stewart as being one of Canada’s top 500 lawyers for the past seven years. The last time the magazine assessed Canada’s women lawyers, it included Stewart among its top 25.

The Queen’s Council recipient and partner at Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP is a board member at the Minerva Foundation. She was instrumental in 2004 creating Minerva’s Helping Women Work program that helps professional women get back into the workforce after an extended absence.

The St. John Ambulance BC and Yukon Council recently anointed Stewart a Dame, which is the highest honour that it bestows. Stewart has volunteered many hours to that organization through the years.

She is on several boards of directors at private companies and was on the British Columbia Railway Company board until 2004.

She has also served as a director at the Vancouver YWCA and some subsidiaries of the Musqueam Indian Band.

Business in Vancouver honoured her as a 40 under 40 recipient in 1990.

What professional achievement are you most proud of?

Building longtime relationships with my clients. Two of my main current clients have been clients since the first week of my articles.

What’s the greatest barrier you’ve had to overcome in your career?

Not enough hours in the day to do what I want to do.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?

Lucile Johnstone, who was the philanthropistic and former head of the British Columbia and Yukon Council of St. John Ambulance. I met her within the first few weeks of my articles. She was my client for many years and my mentor after that.

What network or organization has most helped you in your career?

My clients.

What was your toughest decision?

Tough decisions are those involving the balance my career with my family.