Roundup of law firm hires, promotions and departures: August 12 update

Welcome to this week’s roundup of movements among major law firms, in which we sum up significant hires, promotions and departures.

Isha Khan has been appointed chief executive officer of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. She will serve for a five-year term beginning Aug. 17.

A human rights lawyer, Khan’s experience spans the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She has served as executive director and senior counsel of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, as president of the Manitoba Council of Administrative Tribunals and as chairperson of the Review Tribunal on the Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault said that Khan is the first woman to be appointed to the role in a non-interim capacity. “I’m confident Ms. Khan will support the Museum in its mandate to enhance public understanding of human rights, promote respect for others, and encourage reflection and dialogue,” said Guilbeault.

Bennett Jones LLP

Linda Misetich Dann has been named lead director of the firm’s partnership board. Based in the firm’s Toronto office, her practice focuses on securities and corporate law, with an emphasis on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and complex transactional work. She will continue co-heading the firm’s corporate department.

Hugh MacKinnon, chairman and chief executive officer at the firm, said that she is “highly respected for her ability to find creative and workable solutions for her clients and for her skillfulness in getting deals done.”

Cochrane Saxberg LLP

Senator Murray Sinclair has joined Cochrane Saxberg, a litigation, child protection, employment and labour corporate and Indigenous advocacy firm based in Manitoba.

“I’ve always known I wanted to return to the legal field before the end of my career,” said Sinclair.

Most of the firm’s partners and lawyers are Indigenous.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP

Correna Jones is a new partner in the firm’s Calgary office. Her practice centres on ‎employment, labour and business immigration law.

‎“We are delighted to have Correna join our Calgary office,” said Robert Seidel, Q.C., Canada managing partner at the firm. ‎

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP

Virginie Gauthier has joined the firm’s Toronto office as a partner in the restructuring, bankruptcy and insolvency group.

Mark Ledwell, managing partner of the firm’s Toronto office, said that Gauthier would be valuable to the firm’s clients as “Canada’s financial sector continues to adapt to the challenges of the post-COVID economy.”

The firm also announced that Carole Chouinard, tax partner in its Ottawa office, has been named one of the eight special commissioners taking part in an independent tax review assembled by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Chouinard co-leads the firm’s national charities and not-for-profits group.

“As our national economy strives to recover from the effects of the pandemic, it will be more important than ever to foster growth, investment and job creation within a framework that streamlines our tax system and makes it more competitive,” said Chouinard.

Lerners LLP

The firm has hired Alden Dychtenberg as a partner in its Toronto office. Dychtenberg’s practice focuses on plaintiff personal injury.

Anne Spafford, Toronto managing partner at the firm, said that Dychtenberg’s addition would broaden the “Personal Injury Group’s ability to serve the needs of the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.”

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Kathryn Esaw has joined the firm’s Toronto office as a partner in its insolvency and restructuring group. Esaw is experienced in handling proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and informal restructurings under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

“We are thrilled Kathryn is joining our team,” said Marc Wasserman, partner and national chairperson of the firm’s insolvency and restructuring practice.

Submit all your law firm news, including appointments, moves and other professional news by filling out this form or by emailing [email protected].