Roundup of law firm hires, promotions, departures: Nov. 22, 2021 update

Firms making announcements include BD&P, Fasken, Gowling WLG, Koskie Minsky, Singleton Reynolds

Roundup of law firm hires, promotions, departures: Nov. 22, 2021 update

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

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP

The Calgary-based firm welcomed Emeka Ezike-Dennis as special projects counsel. Ezike-Dennis is an internationally trained lawyer who was admitted to the Alberta Bar earlier this year. He has advised clients regarding corporate commercial transactions, intellectual property law, foreign investment and regulatory matters and procurement matters in projects within the Canadian construction and energy sectors.

“BD&P has a great reputation for consistently upholding many of the same ideals that I believe in — excellence, collegiality, and service to the community,” said Ezike-Dennis in the firm’s news release.

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

The firm announced the following moves:

  • Haig Oghigian (Montreal) — senior counsel in the litigation and dispute resolution group
  • Jason Giborski (Calgary) — counsel in the securities and mergers and acquisitions group
  • Rahat Godil (Toronto) — partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group

Oghigian has experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing and distribution contracts, construction and engineering contracts, regulatory matters and government relations matters.

Oghigian’s “knowledge and experience as an arbitrator, mediator and lawyer in the field of international dispute resolution make him a first-class partner for our clients, particularly those with international transactions subject to arbitration agreements,” said Éric Bédard, managing partner for the Quebec region, in the firm’s news release.

Giborski focuses his practice on securities and capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism and corporate governance and has advised Canadian and international corporations, underwriters and investors across industries including energy, finance and technology.

Giborski’s “significant cross-industry experience in M&A and securities transactions will benefit our team and our clients,” said Clarke Barnes, regional managing partner for Calgary, in a news release.

Godil has handled commercial litigation matters, joint venture and shareholder disputes, domestic and international arbitration matters, class actions defence, securities-related litigation, constitutional litigation and complex motions such as injunctions, jurisdiction challenges and summary judgement motions. She has acted for clients in industries including natural resources, mining, energy, banking, financial services, telecommunications, automotive, insurance, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.

Godil’s “national and international commercial arbitration experience adds further strength,” said Martin Denyes, managing partner for the Ontario region, in a news release.

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP

Paula Clancy, based in Ottawa, rejoined as a partner in the firm’s global intellectual property group. Clancy’s practice focuses on corporate/commercial law and trademark law across a range of industry sectors. She worked for Gowling WLG’s predecessor firm between 1994 and 2008.

“Paula is admired by clients and colleagues alike for her ability to seamlessly align her clients’ IP strategies with their underlying business objectives,” said Wayne Warren, managing partner of the Ottawa office, in the firm’s news release.

Koskie Minsky LLP

The Toronto-based firm announced that Alan Minsky will take on the role of counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2022, following more than four decades as a partner. He, alongside Raymond Koskie, originally founded the firm in 1981.

As counsel, Minsky will advise and mentor Koskie Minsky’s associates and partners and will participate in client development initiatives and consultations on the firm’s behalf.

Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP

The firm welcomed two new counsel to its Vancouver office:

  • Peter Gorgopa — corporate and commercial law, wills and estates
  • Mike Nienhuis — commercial real estate, corporate law, Indigenous law

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