We’re proud to announce that MLT Aikins lawyer Reis Pagtakhan has been selected by the Manitoba Bar Association (MBA) to receive their 2025 Community Involvement Award.
The award, one of eight annual MBA Recognition Awards, honours MBA members who enhance the image of the Association, the legal profession and/or the justice system through their exceptional and ongoing commitment to non-legal public service. Reis received his award during the 2026 MBA Mid-Winter Conference at the Awards Luncheon on Friday, January 23.
Reis has more than 30 years of experience in his corporate immigration practice and is currently the Chair of the Immigration Subcommittee of the Premier of Manitoba’s Business and Jobs Council, a position he was appointed to in 2023. In 2024, he was also named Chair of the council’s Immigration and Skills Alignment Sub-Committee.
Over his career, he has served on boards as diverse as the Community Legal Education Association, Immigrant Centre Manitoba and CPHR Manitoba, as well as a number of faith-based schools, charities and organizations. He has been active in Winnipeg’s Filipino-Canadian community, including serving as a Folklorama Ambassador and other organizations.
As an immigration lawyers, he served as an Executive Member of the Canadian Bar Association’s International Law Section, was part of the Working Group on the Renegotiation and Modernization of the NAFTA, and served on the Human Resources Leadership Council of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
He. has presented position papers on immigration matters before the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and co-authored Manitoba Bar Association and CPHR Manitoba responses to proposed immigration changes. He has advocated for immigration changes by appearing before both the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on immigration legislation and through the op-ed work he has done for the Winnipeg Free Press and the CBC.
MLT Aikins would like to extend our sincere congratulations to Reis on this significant and well-earned achievement.
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