Seven law firms 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.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)
Mitchell Smith has joined BLG as a partner in the firm’s labour and employment group. He has extensive experience litigating wrongful competition between employers and employees, shareholder oppression disputes, and in the law of restrictive covenants, breach of confidentiality, and fiduciary duties.
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Cox & Palmer
The firm has announced that Allison Philpott has joined the St. John’s partnership team. Called to the Newfoundland and Labrador bar in 2017, Philpott has built a practice in corporate and commercial law, particularly in insolvency and financing.
Cozen O’Connor
The firm has expanded its Canadian operations by welcoming legal management expert John Tsiofas. He previously served as a chief operating officer at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. In his new role, John will oversee administrative and support operations of Cozen O’Connor’s Canadian offices, including Toronto and Vancouver, and will work closely with the firm’s senior management charged with executing the firm’s strategic vision in Canada.
Cozen O’Connor’s executive chairman and chief executive officer, Michael Heller, said, “John’s experience in legal operations is unmatched in the Canadian market and, as such, he’ll play a key role in our ongoing Canadian expansion,”
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
DLA Piper has welcomed Derek Van Doorn as a partner to the firm’s corporate group in Toronto. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, private equity, securities law, and business law. He is also experienced in wealth management and trust and estate planning.
Canada managing partner Robert Seidel, K.C. commented, “Derek’s experience with high-profile corporate transactions and deal-making prowess will add considerable depth to our market-leading global corporate practice. Derek is an important addition to our expanding Toronto office, and I welcome him to the firm.”
Lawson Lundell LLP
Lawson Lundell has promoted five lawyers to partners:
- Brendan J. Craig –Vancouver, real estate and corporate commercial
- Paul Kressock –Vancouver, litigation and dispute resolution
- Scott Lucyk, FCIArb—Vancouver, litigation and dispute resolution
- Alaistair MacKinnon –Calgary, environmental and regulatory
- Max Walker –Kelowna, tax
The firm has also welcomed Codie Chisholm as a new associate in its Calgary office. She specializes in research and opinions.
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman (TDS) LLP
Kevin Sharma has left TDS to serve as legal counsel for the Manitoba Securities Commission. Sharma started as an articling student at TDS in 2020. A year later, he joined the firm as an associate, practising corporate and commercial law, financial services, property, and development law.
Stephen Beernaert has also left the firm to pursue a new opportunity.
Torkin Manes LLP
The firm has named James Leech, Gillian Howe, Cody F. Dolgay, and Robert Barbiero partners.
Leech specializes in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, securities, private equity, joint ventures, and partnerships.
Howe has advised employers on various employment and labour cases, including wrongful or constructive dismissal actions, human rights complaints, grievance arbitrations and labour board proceedings.
Dolgay specializes in civil litigation and insurance law. He has acted for policyholders in almost every industry and has advised clients on complex insurance issues, including first-party commercial insurance claims and liability coverage disputes.
Barbiero specializes in health law and professional discipline. He has advised regulated health professionals and represented them in regulatory, administrative, and civil proceedings.