Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 10, 2008
• Invested on: December 12, 2008

A pioneer for women in the legal profession, Joan Clark has also been a major force in the animal protection movement. A prominent patent lawyer, she has set important precedents for women to hold leadership positions in law firms. She has also served as the first woman president of several national and international professional associations in the field of intellectual property. As well, she has helped lead non-profit animal welfare organizations and was a major force behind the creation and implementation of a groundbreaking animal protection law in Quebec. She also played a key role in bringing about national standards regarding the use of animals in research.