Firms making moves included Bennett Jones, Bereskin & Parr and Davies
Welcome to this week’s roundup of movements among major law firms, in which we sum up significant hires, promotions and departures.
Pro Bono Ontario has announced that Mary Paterson, partner at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and Deborah Templer, partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, have been appointed directors.
Other new appointments include Marc Toppings, vice-president and chief legal officer of University Health Network, as another new director, and Gordon Currie, chief legal officer of George Weston Limited, as the elected chairperson of the board.
The newly appointed directors were commended for their commitment to access to justice.
Bennett Jones LLP
The firm has appointed 26 new partners:
Bereskin & Parr LLP
Effective Mar. 31, Cynthia Rowden has retired, following four decades with the firm. Based in the firm’s Toronto office, she had focused her practice on all areas of trademark law and copyright law.
Rowden was former president of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, of which she was chairperson of its trademark joint liaison committee and its trademark legislation committee. She also sat on the board of directors of the International Trademark Association, of which she was chairperson of its legislation and regulation Canada subcommittee. She was also named a recipient of INTA’s President’s Award.
“Cynthia is not a person who can be replaced, but fortunately for us, the values, knowledge and wisdom she has instilled in others in the firm are her eternal legacy,” said a news release from the firm.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
The firm has appointed Sarbjit Basra as managing partner of its Toronto office. He is the successor to Shawn McReynolds, who is stepping down after serving for a decade in that role, but who is staying on as a partner with the firm.
Holding an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School, Basra joined the firm in 1992. In 1996, he was named a partner. He later became senior corporate partner and sat on the firm’s management committee for seven years.
Basra focuses his practice on various areas of law, including private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, capital markets, securities, mergers and acquisitions and corporate law. He has been distinguished by leading legal publications such as Lexpert, which has recognized him as a most frequently recommended lawyer in the fields of corporate commercial law and private equity.
McReynolds expressed his approval of Basra’s appointment, stating that Basra possessed the characteristics of a strong leader. “His sound business judgement, practical advice and thoughtfulness have earned him the respect of his clients and colleagues,” said McReynolds.
“I’m truly honoured that my partners have placed their confidence in me,” said Basra.
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