We are pleased to announce that Assumption University will be presenting Greg Monforton with the St. Thomas More Gold Medal on October 15, 2024.
The medal will be presented at Red Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. The Red Mass starts at 6 p.m. and it is being celebrated by Assumption University and the Red Mass Society of Windsor.
The medal is named for St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers, and it is given to individuals who have provided outstanding service to the legal profession and the justice system. Dr. John Cappucci, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Assumption University will present the award to Greg.
Red Mass is an interfaith event, so people from all religious and spiritual traditions are welcome. Legal and non-legal professionals are also welcome to attend.
The Red Mass marks the beginning of the legal year and is celebrated around the world.
Greg’s History of Service to the Legal Profession
Greg Monforton has been practicing law for more than four decades, starting Greg Monforton and Partners with Brad Robitaille soon after being called to the bar in 1981. The firm started with Greg, Brad and one secretary and has grown into a firm with 13 lawyers and a staff of 45 people.
Sometimes the legal profession seems harsh, but Greg has continued to be a fearless advocate while also exhibiting the highest standards of professionalism, dignity and civility. Greg has always recognized the dignity in each of his clients and strived to help those injured through no fault of their own. He has always exhibited a determination to prevent the weak from being preyed on by the powerful.
Greg’s commitment to service, honesty and decency can be traced back to his father, Monty Monforton. Monty was a well-respected haberdasher in Windsor, establishing two well-known brands: Monforton Men’s Wear and Monty Formal Wear. Greg worked at these businesses while attending high school.
In more than 43 years practicing the law, Greg has assisted thousands of injured victims in rebuilding their lives. He has assisted victims of motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice and property liability.
Some of Greg’s notable cases include:
- Representing the family of a Windsor nurse who was murdered. Greg represented the family at the coroner’s inquest and his efforts led to the Ontario government passing amendments meant to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace.
- Representing victims of the Nationair DC-8 airline crash in Saudi Arabia at the King Abel-Aziz International Airport.
Greg’s commitment to clients and a high standard of professionalism have been recognized by the legal profession on many occasions.
- Greg has been designated as a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Ontario. This is a designation bestowed on less than two percent of all lawyers in the province.
- Greg received the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association’s (OTLA) Distinguished Service Award in 2012.
- Greg was presented the OTLA Celebration of the Personal Injury Bar, Plaintiffs’ Counsel Award in 2019.
- Each year since 2006, Greg has been selected by his peers for inclusion in LEXPERT® and Best Lawyers in Canada®.
- In 2023, Greg was elected a director of the 60,000 member Law Society of Ontario for Southwest Ontario. Greg is in the midst of a four-year term.
Greg is not only committed to the injured, but also the legal profession. He has devoted many hours and significant financial support to help educate the next generation of lawyers at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law and through continuing legal education programs. Greg earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor in 1979.
Serving his community is also important. Greg has served and contributed to various boards and foundations:
- Greg was a board member of the Windsor/Essex County chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
- Greg serves on the board of the St. Leonard’s Society, which is a residential facility that helps men integrate with the community after leaving federal correctional facilities.
- Through Greg Monforton and Partners, Greg has provided significant financial support to the neurosurgical and oncology programs at Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation.
- Greg is also a past president of the Windsor Essex Head Injury Association.
Greg lives in the Town of LaSalle with his wife and is just 10 minutes from where his son Geoff lives.
Congratulations, Greg on this well-deserved honour!