BIO
​Linda Silver Dranoff, C.M., O. Ont., LSM is a lawyer, writer and activist. As a lawyer in private practise, she appeared at every level of court in a precedent-setting career, helping countless individuals navigate the legal system.
As an author and columnist, she provided Canadians with access to accurate, understandable and empowering legal information throughout her 25-year stint as a columnist at Chatelaine and as the author of Women in Canadian Law (a history), Every Woman’s Guide to the Law, Every Canadian’s Guide to the Law and most recently, a memoir and history of the women’s movement Fairly Equal: Lawyering the Feminist Revolution.
As an activist, she has advanced the cause of equality and social justice for Canadian women, including spearheading the reform of Ontario family law to provide for the equal sharing of family assets.
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She has spoken widely on legal, community, women's and law reform issues at public and professional events, and on radio,TV and online.
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She was the founding chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Feminist Legal Analysis Section (now known as the Women Lawyers Forum).
Linda Silver Dranoff has been acknowledged for her achievements by the women’s community, the legal community, and beyond. She was honoured with the Law Society Medal, by the Governor-General with the Persons Award, and by the Toronto Y.W.C.A. as a Woman of Distinction. The Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations recognized her for her contributions to the law with their Distinguished Service Award, the Family Law Award of Excellence and the Feminist Legal Analysis Award for Commitment to Equality. The Women’s Law Association of Ontario gave her their President’s Award. Her alma mater University College at the University of Toronto honored her as an Alumni of Influence among the initial group of 100 honorees who graduated between 1853 and 2012. And in 2025 she was honoured with the Women in Law Leadership Rosalie Silberman Abella Award for lifetime achievement.
She was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2012, and the Order of Ontario in 2019.
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