Victory Verbatim's annual legal appreciation luncheon—held Tuesday in the Toronto Ballroom at the Hilton Toronto Hotel—adopted a royal theme and drew more than 1,000 litigation assistants and law clerks, forcing organizers to seat guests and set up live feeds in two additional conference rooms. The event, planned by the Mint Agency, attracted only 75 attendees when it was launched 13 years ago.

"It's a day of appreciation for us to give back," said Robyn Arndt, C.E.O. of the firm. "I try to pay it forward." The family-owned company, which provides court reporting services throughout the Greater Toronto Area, hosts the complimentary luncheon to reward outstanding industry professionals for their contribution to the legal community.

Although guests are not required to purchase tickets to the event, the luncheon benefits a different charity each year and attendees are encouraged to make donations. This year, proceeds went to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Volunteers handed out nutrition wheels and collected donations at the entrance to the ballroom.

Invitations to the luncheon indicated that guests would be treated like a queen. To add to the royal theme, a Queen Elizabeth look-alike addressed the crowd and posed for photos with attendees.