Nine 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.
Baker McKenzie
The firm welcomed Julia Webster as a partner in the Toronto office’s international commercial practice group.
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Webster is an international trade lawyer and a certified customs specialist. She advises companies on trade remedies, free trade agreements, blocking measures, customs compliance, anti-corruption laws, economic sanctions, supply chain ethics, and cross-border M&A.
She has appeared before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and numerous administrative tribunals across Canada. She also deals with sensitive internal investigations involving multi-jurisdictional legal processes and assists domestic and international clients with Canadian lobbying laws and election advertising.
“We are very happy to welcome Julia to Baker McKenzie,” said Will Woods, the firm’s North America international commercial practice group chair. “She brings deep knowledge of customs and international trade law, which is critical in the current geopolitical climate.”
Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Garth Parker joined the firm as a senior counsel in the energy group.
Parker previously worked as external and in-house counsel for major energy companies. He has experience drafting and negotiating various oil and gas, midstream, infrastructure, and petrochemical-related contracts, including oil and gas asset purchase and sale agreements, offshore drilling contracts, pipeline transportation and supply agreements, joint venture contracts, and engineering and construction agreements.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Max Jarvie joined the firm as a partner in the Montreal office’s technology practice group.
Jarvie brings specialized expertise in privacy, data protection, and artificial intelligence. He advises Canadian, US, and international organizations on privacy and data protection, using AI and other advanced technologies, and information governance and risk management strategies. He also assists with transactions involving technology, technology licensing agreements, and related corporate commercial matters.
Dentons Canada
Laura Estep was appointed presiding member of the firm’s Canada region board.
Estep is a partner in the Calgary office’s energy regulatory practice group. She has experience assisting major energy companies through all stages of the regulatory process, including representation before the Canada Energy Regulator, the Alberta Utilities Commission, and the Alberta Energy Regulator.
She also advises energy clients on land acquisition and compensation matters and has appeared in energy-related appeal and judicial review matters before all levels of courts.
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
The firm welcomed Heather Davidson as a partner in the Vancouver office’s family law and litigation, arbitration and investigations groups.
Davidson has practised family law exclusively for more than 20 years. She has represented clients in numerous divorce and family law disputes, including high net-worth divorces. Davidson advises on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, mainly involving large estates or high incomes. She has appeared before all levels of courts in Alberta and is also a trained mediator.
“Heather is an excellent addition to our family law group,” managing partner Robert Seidel said. “An accomplished litigator and mediator, Heather is sought after by clients for her ability to navigate complex family matters and deliver comprehensive and effective solutions. We are delighted that she is joining our Vancouver office.”
Kotak Personal Injury Law
The firm established a new satellite office in Calgary, adding to its current locations in Mississauga, Brampton, and Toronto. The expansion follows the admission of founder Nainesh Kotak to the Alberta bar this month.
The firm has been in business for 28 years. It offers services involving personal injury and disability law matters, such as long and short-term disability insurance claims, Canada Pension Plan disability claims, and personal injury cases, including car accidents and slips and falls.
“We are very excited to be expanding out of province for the first time and look forward to serving all of Alberta with our legal services. We will be providing the same level of commitment and expertise as in all our other offices,” Kotak said. “We understand that being denied disability benefits or suffering an injury can be devastating. Our lawyers are committed to delivering personalised resolutions for our clients.”
MLT Aikins LLP
Sydni Kind joined the firm as an associate in the Calgary office.
Kind has broad experience in commercial litigation, including disputes relating to professional liability, insurance defence, construction litigation and medical negligence. She appeared before the Alberta Court of King’s Bench and the Provincial Court of Alberta and assisted with filing appeals before the Alberta Court of Appeal. She helps clients reach confidential settlements by seeking restricted access orders.
Meanwhile, Milad Alishahi joined the board of directors of the Community & Social Impact Regina. CSIR is a non-profit municipal corporation that aims to improve the safety and well-being of Regina residents through coordinated community and social impact strategies.
Alishahi is a commercial and construction litigator specializing in municipal law and agribusiness. He regularly advises on contractual disputes, insurance and agricultural claims, and shareholder and partnership disputes. He has appeared before all levels of courts in Saskatchewan, the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba, and various administrative tribunals, including the Saskatchewan Municipal Board.
Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers
The firm welcomed David Cahill as an associate.
Cahill is a family lawyer specializing in separation, divorce, and domestic contracts. He assists clients in resolving family law issues, including parenting time, decision-making for children, child support, spousal support, and property division and equalization. He is also a certified family mediator focusing on insight mediation and is currently completing a Doctor of Laws degree at Queen’s University.
Stewart McKelvey
Clarence Bennett was recently appointed King’s counsel.
Bennett is the managing partner of the firm’s Saint John office. He is a management-side labour, employment and human rights lawyer, workplace investigator, and mediator who works with clients in the public and private sectors. Apart from his legal duties, he sits on Fundy Civic Centre and Ronald McDonald House Charities (Atlantic) boards.
Meanwhile, James LeMesurier was inducted as a fellow of the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers. CLEL is a fellowship of accomplished labour and employment law community members. It provides knowledge, skills, experience, and history for the bar, academia, government, and the community.
LeMesurier is a partner in the firm’s Saint John office. He advises employers on all aspects of employment and labour relations law, including construction labour relations, police labour relations and discipline, and workplace health and safety law. In 2022, he was elected chair of the Harbour Station Commission, responsible for operating the TD Station facility in Saint John.
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