35 law firms across Canada made new announcements
Welcome to this week’s roundup of movements among major law firms, in which we sum up significant hires, promotions, departures and other announcements.
The firm welcomed Jocelyn Howell and Rob Stellick as new partners.
The firm announced the following moves:
Boutis has more than 20 years of experience advising on issues affecting municipal governance, land development and environmental management, while O'Callaghan is a passionate advocate with more than three decades of land use planning and expropriation law experience.
Marshall Eidinger is now a partner in the firm’s Toronto office. Eidinger was recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada 2022” for his work in mergers and acquisitions.
The firm welcomed the following lawyers, effective January 1:
Twenty-seven lawyers joined the firm as partners, effective January 1:
Corporate and capital markets group
Specialized business law group
Commercial and construction disputes group
Specialized disputes group
“The strength of our partners is the cornerstone of our firm,” said Shelley-Mae Mitchell, firm’s partnership board chair. “We are excited to welcome these talented new partners who will continue to deliver strategic, high-end and practical advice to our clients across Canada.”
The firm admitted 17 new lawyers into its partnership:
The firm also announced John Picone as a new member of the Ontario Securities Commission’s Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee.
The firm announced the appointment of its counsel Douglas Wright to the Board of Governors of the Canadian Tax Foundation.
“This honour reflects Douglas’ commitment to the Canadian Tax Foundation and his dedication to his practice in taxation law and tax litigation,” according to the firm.
The firm also welcomed three new partners: John Boyle (Halifax), Katie Morello (Charlottetown), and Guy Wellard (Halifax).
“Becoming a partner is a significant milestone in a lawyer’s career. Each have demonstrated commitment and hard work to clients, colleagues and the firm,” said George Cooper, firm’s CEO. “We are proud of their accomplishments and welcome them to the partnership.”
The firm promoted eight associates to its partnership, effective January 1:
The firm welcomed Kathy Le to its Toronto office, effective January 1.
Tania Da Silva, Dana Hooker, Sydney Kert, Morgan McDonald, and Alan Sarhan joined the firm as partners, effective January 1.
Firm’s partner, Vaughn MacLellan, is now a managing partner in the Toronto office on January 1.
“Vaughn’s professional accomplishments, exceptional relationships with his clients and colleagues and demonstrated leadership at the firm and within the legal community have shown him to be an ideal candidate for this role,” Seidel said.
The firm also welcomed Roderick Payne as partner in the Edmonton office. Payne has over 27 years of experience assisting clients on a broad range of oil and gas, construction, employment, and commercial litigation matters. Also joining the firm’s Edmonton office are associates Tovah Moffat and Bryce Wells.
Kevin Smith and Erica Miller joined the firm as partners.
Smith regularly takes on public law matters, including constitutional, administrative, environmental, aboriginal and human rights cases involving political or public-interest dimension.
Miller assists clients in a broad range of disputes, including commercial litigation, construction disputes, administrative and regulatory matters, estate and trust disputes, international trade matters and general civil litigation.
The firm named Jill Bishop and Richard Stobbe as new partners, starting January 1.
“Both Richard and Jill have demonstrated leadership and commitment to excellence in their respective practice areas,” said Jeremiah Kowalchuk, firm’s managing partner. “Richard and Jill exemplify Field Law’s commitment to providing outstanding legal support to its clients and making a positive difference to our people and our communities.”
Ari Hanson and Aaron Challis joined the firm as partners, effective January 1. Hanson practises mainly in civil litigation with a focus on tax disputes, commercial litigation and real estate litigation. Challis specializes in civil litigation with a focus on a wide range of insurance matters and commercial disputes.
The firm also appointed Stuart Blake as the new CEO and managing partner, effective January 1. Stuart replaced Glen Peters who held the role for 18 years.
“Stuart served on the Executive Committee for three years while running a large, nationally recognized insurance practice,” said Jody Langhan, firm’s executive committee chair. “He will ensure that our firm stays on the leading edge of meeting our clients’ evolving needs.”
Katherine Hensel, a First Nations lawyer, is now a partner in the firm’s Indigenous practice group. A citizen of the Secwepemc Nation, Hensel has built a diverse practice providing advice and acting in disputes concerning the assertion of Indigenous and treaty rights, the duty to consult, commercial matters, public inquiries, child welfare matters, and select criminal cases.
Ruth Ambros and Lauren Winkler also joined the firm as associates in the Indigenous practice group.
“Katherine and her team will become integral members of our firm's Indigenous law group and key contributors to our team's continued growth and success acting on behalf of Indigenous peoples across Canada,” Gary Kissack, firm’s Indigenous law group chair, said.
Mark Wright has left the firm to become an arbitrator. Wright’s practice focused primarily on grievance arbitration in the healthcare and fire sectors.
The firm announced Jess Bishop, Dan Block, Emily Hamovitch, Max Laskin, Hari Marcovici, and Matt Prager as new partners.
The firm welcomed 21 new partners, effective January 1:
“I am incredibly proud of and excited for our new partners," said firm’s CEO Steve McKersie. “I am confident that they will further contribute to the depth of legal talent that our international firm has to offer, and to our firm’s diverse perspectives that reflect the Canadian landscape.”
Jennifer Williams is now a member in the firm’s business law and real estate law groups. William’s unique perspective and expertise were honed through more than two decades in private practice advising clients on complex real estate issues, and as in-house counsel for five years with a prominent real estate development company.
The firm also added Mandeep Gill and Aaron Atkinson to its partnership, starting January 1.
“Aaron and Mandeep are strong additions to our partnership”, said Jonathan Meadows, firm’s managing partner. “They demonstrate excellence in all aspects of their work and serve our clients with skill and care.”
Th firm welcomed the following lawyers:
The firm announced Christopher Yung, Delna Contractor, and Jordana Sanft as new partners.
The firm also announced the departure of Glenn Smith. As one of the premier insurance lawyers in Canada, Smith practice has largely focused on complex insurance coverage disputes.
Natalie Carrothers, Nicholas Cummings, Jacob Damstra, Brandon Duewel, and Jordan McKie joined the firm as partners.
“We are proud to welcome such excellent lawyers as partners in our firm,” said Graham Porter, firm’s chair. “They have all proven themselves to be exceptional in their work for and commitments to clients, as well as their leadership in and contributions to the community and the firm.”
Erika Tower also joined the firm as an associate in the plaintiff personal injury group in the Toronto office. Tower has significant expertise in the areas of motor vehicle accidents, slips and falls, and disability claims.
The firm welcomed Lauren Sigouin as an associate in the business law and financial services law groups. Sigouin’s practice includes incorporation, shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions, leases, and other commercial contracts.
The firm named Charlene Theodore as the new chief inclusion officer. Theodore is a passionate and dedicated community leader with a unique understanding of the interconnection between the legal profession and EDI, and how to achieve tangible and meaningful results.
“Charlene will play a critical role in continuing to develop our numerous diversity, inclusion and corporate social responsibility initiatives, which are top priorities for our firm,” said Barbara Boake, firm’s national people and practice leader.
The firm also welcomed two new lawyers to its Toronto office:
The firm welcomed Emmanuelle Khoury as an associate in the litigation and dispute resolution group in the Montréal office.
Lauren Chan is now an associate in the firm’s business law group. Chan’s practice involves advising clients on general corporate matters and guiding businesses through a wide range of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate reorganizations.
The firm appointed nine lawyers as new partners, effective January 1:
The firm also welcomed Nicolas Doyle as an associate to its Winnipeg office. Doyle has extensive experience representing clients on commercial real estate transactions.
Seventeen lawyers have been promoted to partner in the firm's Canada office, effective January 1:
Joanna Cameron joined the firm as partner in the corporate practice group in the Vancouver office. Cameron has over 20 years of experience in corporate and securities law with national and regional law firms with a primary focus on capital markets transactions and business law matters.
Maureen Killoran is now a national co-chair in the firm, effective January 1. Killoran assumed a key leadership role alongside co-chair, Shahir Guindi, and managing partner, Doug Bryce.
“We know Maureen will ensure that Osler remains a leader in the Canadian legal marketplace with a singular focus on supporting client service and a commitment to excellence across the firm,” Bryce said.
The firm welcomed Alysha Shore and Dan Rosenbluth to its partnership.
Shore’s practice includes civil and commercial litigation, administrative and public law, and employment law, while Rosenbluth is a civil litigator whose practice focused on commercial, employment, and public law litigation.
The firm named Steven Pordage as new partner and head in the commercial real estate practice group, effective January 1. Pordage’s practice includes acquisition, disposition, development, and financing of real property.
“Steven has made great contributions to our firm since he joined us, and we look forward to the future contributions he will make to our partnership,” John Russo, firm’s managing partner.
Lior Samfiru and Sivan Tumarkin are now the firm’s national co-managing partners, while David Vaughan and James Fireman are the new national practice leaders in labour and employment law practice group and disability and personal injury law practice group, respectively.
The firm also announced the following moves:
Effective January 1, the firm admitted the following associates as partners:
The firm also welcomed Brendan Peters to its Halifax office. Having appeared before provincial superior courts and federal courts of Canada, Peters has previously assisted corporate clients in litigation with respect to intellectual property, as well as pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and digital technologies.
The firm announced the following moves:
The firm also welcomed Jonathan and Jill Winton back as partners in the litigation and dispute resolution group and tax group, respectively. Buysen has a broad commercial litigation practice focused on corporate and commercial disputes, while Winton practices in all areas of Canadian domestic and cross-border income tax law.
The firm promoted three associates to its partnership, effective immediately:
Fifteen associates joined the firm as partners, effective January 1:
Lori Isaj joined the firm as an associate in the wills, trusts and estates practice group. Isaj advises clients on all aspects of estate planning and estate administration.
The firm also announced Raj Anand as a new member of the inaugural discipline committee of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents (CPATA). Anand is a senior litigator with a practice in the areas of human rights, constitutional and administrative law, labour relations, civil litigation, and professional negligence and discipline.
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