22 Facts About Irwin Dorfman

Irwin Dorfman 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.

Irwin Dorfman attended St John's Technical High School and then the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1927 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Irwin Dorfman followed that with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Manitoba Law School in 1931, graduating with the gold medal for his class.

Irwin Dorfman served as special counsel for the Federal Department of Justice.

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

In 1963, he chaired a review of Manitoba's corporations law, leading a group composed of thirteen prominent Manitoba lawyers, including Brian Dickson, future Chief Justice of Canada, and A Lorne Campbell, who like Dorfman would go on to become national president of the Canadian Bar Association.

Irwin Dorfman described the committee as giving "active and serious consideration" to the question of public protection within a streamlined, up-to-date Companies Act.

Irwin Dorfman served as president of the Manitoba Bar Association from 1965 to 1966.

Irwin Dorfman was elected the president of the Law Society of Manitoba, serving from 1971 to 1972.

Irwin Dorfman was elected the national president of the Canadian Bar Association for the years 1975 to 1976, the first Jew to serve in that office.

Irwin Dorfman was a governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation, serving for three years, and a trustee of the Foundation for Legal Research.

Irwin Dorfman advised that the CBA would urge its members to comply with the Act, consistent with the ethical requirements set out in the codes of conduct of the law societies.

Irwin Dorfman was active in his community his entire life, particularly the Jewish community in Winnipeg.

Irwin Dorfman was an executive member of the Young Men's Hebrew Association and the President of the Winnipeg branch of B'nai B'rith.

Irwin Dorfman was a board member for the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, and served a term as President of the Shaarey Zedek Brotherhood.

Irwin Dorfman later said that this work was one of the most significant events in his life.

Irwin Dorfman served on the Joint Distribution Committee of the Canadian Jewish Committee for Refugees, and helped to raise $30,000 for that group.

Irwin Dorfman helped raise funds for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Irwin Dorfman was a member of the Young Men's Section of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and served as co-chairman in 1950 of the legal division of the Community Chest.

Irwin Dorfman was on the board of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Irwin Dorfman died on November 9,1993, at the age of 85.

Irwin Dorfman 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.