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.
Adair Goldblatt Bieber LLP
The firm welcomed Jocelyn Howell and Rob Stellick as new partners.
Aird & Berlis LLP
The firm announced the following moves:
- Paula Boutis − counsel in the municipal and land use planning, and environmental law groups
- Brendan O'Callaghan − partner in the municipal and land use planning, and expropriation law groups
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.
Bennett Jones LLP
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.
Bereskin & Parr LLP
The firm welcomed the following lawyers, effective January 1:
- Ainslie Parsons (Toronto) – partner in the plant breeders’ rights group
- Cameron Gale (Toronto) – partner in the electrical and computer technology group
- David Morrison (Waterloo) – partner
- Adam Bierylo (Mississauga) – partner
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Twenty-seven lawyers joined the firm as partners, effective January 1:
Corporate and capital markets group
- Roma Lotay, Stephen Nguyen, and Whitney Wakeling (Toronto)
- Julie Bogle and Michelle Wilkinson (Vancouver)
- Scott Robson (Calgary)
- François Joli-Coeur (Montréal)
Specialized business law group
- Ashley Maksimovic and Andrea Pitts (Ottawa)
- Andrew Guerrisi and Jennifer Ponton (Toronto)
- Sameena Sarangi (Calgary)
- Jeff Talbot (Montréal)
- Danielle Lewchuk (Vancouver)
Commercial and construction disputes group
- Anaïs Bussières McNicoll and James Woods (Montréal)
- Katie Archibald, Pierre Gemson, and Graham Splawski (Toronto)
- Jordan Hulecki and Jack Maslen (Calgary)
- Hunter Parsons (Vancouver)
Specialized disputes group
- Maddie Axelrod, Andrew Baker, and Henry Ngan (Toronto)
- Sarah Makson (Calgary)
- Maude Galarneau (Montréal)
“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.”
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
The firm admitted 17 new lawyers into its partnership:
- Daniel Cipollone and Mike Tallim (Toronto) − banking and specialty finance
- Christie Gibson and Marisa Keating (Toronto) − municipal, planning and environmental
- Randy Bassi (Vancouver) − real estate
- Jeremy Bornstein (Toronto) − restructuring and insolvency
- Maria Constantine (Toronto) – employment and labour
- Mark Davis (Toronto) – intellectual property
- Andrew Dilts (Vancouver) − private equity and mergers and acquisitions
- Jared Enns (Vancouver) − restructuring and insolvency
- Pamela Hinman (Calgary) − employment and labour
- Tayyaba Khan (Toronto) − securities and cannabis
- Jessica Kuredjian (Toronto) – insurance, reinsurance and product liability
- Emilie Lahaie (Vancounver) − aboriginal law
- Christopher McLelland (Calgary) − energy law
- Zahra Nurmohamed (Toronto) − taxation
- Stephanie Roberts (Toronto) − intellectual property
The firm also announced John Picone as a new member of the Ontario Securities Commission’s Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee.
Cox & Palmer
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.”
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
The firm promoted eight associates to its partnership, effective January 1:
- Shayna Goldman and Vanessa Pendenza – corporate, mergers and acquisitions, private equity
- Olivia Khazam – tax
- Faiz Lalani − dispute resolution
- Antoine Le Bihan – corporate, mergers and acquisitions
- Alysha Manji-Knight − competition, antitrust and foreign investment
- Daniel Peterson − commercial real estate
- Emily Uza − corporate, capital markets and securities, mergers and acquisitions
Dickinson Wright LLP
The firm welcomed Kathy Le to its Toronto office, effective January 1.
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
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.
Farris LLP
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.
Field Law
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.”
Fillmore Riley LLP
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.”
Fogler Rubinoff LLP
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.
Goldblatt Partners LLP
Mark Wright has left the firm to become an arbitrator. Wright’s practice focused primarily on grievance arbitration in the healthcare and fire sectors.
Goodmans LLP
The firm announced Jess Bishop, Dan Block, Emily Hamovitch, Max Laskin, Hari Marcovici, and Matt Prager as new partners.
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
The firm welcomed 21 new partners, effective January 1:
- Warren Cass, Marcus Hinkley, and Duncan Snyder – corporate, technology
- Jessica Boily and Mark Youden – environmental law
- Bria Fallen and Stephanie Harvey – lending, financial services
- Tiffany Lee Bianchi – corporate
- Damien Calvet – patents, life sciences
- Katrina Coughlin – advertising and product regulatory, food and beverage
- Jordan Diacur – commercial litigation, infrastructure and construction
- Dylan Esch – recovery services, financial services
- Rafael Ferraro – commercial litigation, construction
- Sharagim Habibi – corporate, cannabis
- Olivier Lamoureux – employment, labour and equalities
- Julie Lanteigne – real estate
- Alex O’Reilly – Indigenous law
- Christina Pawliszyn – real estate, financial services
- Olivier Poulette – commercial litigation, recovery services
- Josh Rosen – corporate, cannabis, technology, mining
- Alex Sadvari – environmental law, energy
“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.”
Harpey Grey LLP
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.”
Lawson Lundell LLP
Th firm welcomed the following lawyers:
- Camille Chisholm (Vancouver) – partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group
- Katy E. Allen (Vancouver) – partner in the labour, employment and human rights group
- Meghan Popp (Vancouver) – partner in the pension and employee benefits group
- Will J. Shaw (Vancouver) – partner in the environmental and regulatory group
- Brian Gilfillan (Vancouver) – senior counsel in the forest products group
- Tim Syer (Yellowknife) − partner
- Sean G. Adair (Vancouver) – partner
- Stephen Hedley (Vancouver) – associate in the China group
Lenczner Slaght LLP
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.
Lerners LLP
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.
McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP
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.
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
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:
- Stephanie Dewey – partner in the national tax group
- Wendy Berman − partner in the litigation group
McMillan LLP
The firm welcomed Emmanuelle Khoury as an associate in the litigation and dispute resolution group in the Montréal office.
Minden Gross LLP
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.
MLT Aikins LLP
The firm appointed nine lawyers as new partners, effective January 1:
- Kristél Kriel and Ahmed Malik (Regina)
- Jessica Buhler and Amy Gibson (Saskatoon)
- Melissa Cattini and Tom Provost (Winnipeg)
- Megan Kheong (Edmonton)
- Kevin Sorochan (Vancouver)
- Catrina Webster (Calgary)
The firm also welcomed Nicolas Doyle as an associate to its Winnipeg office. Doyle has extensive experience representing clients on commercial real estate transactions.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Seventeen lawyers have been promoted to partner in the firm's Canada office, effective January 1:
- Robin Acworth and Jennifer McPherson (Calgary) − corporate, mergers and acquisitions and securities
- Véronique Barry (Québec) − corporate, mergers and acquisitions and securities
- Scott Boucher (Vancouver) − litigation and disputes
- Brian Chau (Toronto) − intellectual property
- Matthew Choi (Vancouver) − banking and finance
- Jenna Anne de Jong (Ottawa) − litigation and disputes
- Russell Dufault (Toronto) − banking and finance
- Alison FitzGerald (Ottawa) − litigation and disputes
- Caroline Jodoin (Montréal) − employment and labour
- Jonathan Lafrance (Montréal) − tax
- Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe (Ottawa) − corporate, mergers and acquisitions and securities
- Brian Milne (Calgary) − tax
- Fahad Siddiqui (Toronto) − litigation and disputes
- Joshua Sprague (Ottawa) − real estate
- Nikita Stepin (Montréal) − intellectual property
- Tim Stewart (Toronto) − banking and finance
Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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.
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
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.
Pallett Valo LLP
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.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP
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:
- Martin Willemse, Tamar Agopian and Andrew Goldberg – partners
- Gregory Sills and Sandy Chen − senior associates
Stewart McKelvey
Effective January 1, the firm admitted the following associates as partners:
- Jonathan O’Kane, Conor O’Neil, and Julia Parent (Saint John)
- Michelle Chai (Halifax)
- Matthew Craig (St. John’s)
- Danielle Harding (Fredericton)
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.
Stikeman Elliott LLP
The firm announced the following moves:
- Alethea Au (Toronto) – partner in the mergers and acquisitions group
- Angela Crimeni (Vancouver) – partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group
- Michael Decicco (Toronto) – partner in the mergers and acquisitions and capital markets groups
- Mark Firman (Montréal) – partner in the tax and pensions and benefits groups
- Kevin Guenther (Calgary) – partner in the tax and corporate groups
- Sinziana Hennig (Toronto) – partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group
- Nathalie Nouvet (Montréal) – partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group
- Aaron Vieira (Toronto) – partner in the mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and securities groups
- Raphaël Gauthier and Charif El-Khouri (Montréal) − associate in the employment and labour group
- Danielle Miller Olofsson − senior associate in the corporate group
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.
Torkin Manes LLP
The firm promoted three associates to its partnership, effective immediately:
- Aleksandar Jovanovic – partner in the litigation and construction law groups
- Calogero Rumeo – partner in the insurance defence group
- Daniel Stober – partner in the wills, trusts and estates group
WeirFoulds LLP
Fifteen associates joined the firm as partners, effective January 1:
- Debra McKenna, Lara Kinkartz, and Sarah Yun – professional self-regulatory bodies
- Philip Carpenter, Jeff Scorgie, and Caitlin Steven – construction law
- Mac Allen and Marie-Pier Nadeau – commercial litigation
- Lisa Danay-Wallace – information technology, intellectual property
- Robert Eisenberg – commercial leasing
- Brian Kuchar – construction law
- Megan Mah – employment and labour
- Hayley Peglar – wills, trusts and estates
- Christina Tereshyn – real estate
- Kayla Theeuwen – commercial litigation, Caribbean
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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