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TOP 6 MARITIME BOUTIQUES
Bernard & Partners (Vancouver) Now with 13 lawyers, this Vancouver firm was established in 2002 by former Campney & Murphy lawyers. Bernard & Partners has a strong foothold on the West Coast maritime law market, as one of the first firms called following shipping accidents in the region. One in-house counsel who has used Bernard & Partners said “their performance has been excellent.” Another lawyer who refers work to them commented, “They are a first-class firm with many years of experience.” www.bernardpartners.com
Brisset Bishop (Montreal) Tracing its roots back to 1885 — when Albert Atwater left the partnership of the firm that became Ogilvy Renault LLP — this boutique currently consists of six lawyers. Jean Brisset joined the firm in 1935 and remained with it until his death in 1991, while Trevor Bishop joined in 1957 and remained until his recent retirement. Its key clients include the Fednav Group and Canfornav Inc., two of Canada’s largest ship operators. It also represents many P&I clubs, the insurance companies for the shipping industry. www.brissetbishop.com
Fernandes Hearn LLP (Toronto) This boutique came on the scene in 1996, when Rui Fernandes and Gordon Hearn left Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Maritime law is a major component of its general transportation law practice, which also deals with matters involving aviation, trucking, and rail carriage. Its nine lawyers serve key clients such as Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance, Allianz Insurance, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, JEVCO Insurance Co., NYK Logistics, Quik X Transportation Inc., and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. Fernandes has helped solidify the firm’s strong reputation by publishing five texts on transportation law. www.fernandeshearn.com
Giaschi & Margolis (Vancouver) This four-lawyer firm operates in affiliation with London, England international shipping and trade law firm Thomas Cooper. Clients consist mainly of insurance companies that specialize in marine, cargo, and transportation. While its practice focuses mainly on subrogation for underwriters, defence work also takes up some of its time. Partner Christopher Giaschi is the national vice president of the Canadian Maritime Law Association, and an adjunct professor of maritime law at the University of British Columbia. He is also a past chairman of the national maritime law section of the Canadian Bar Association. The firm has also nabbed a telltale web address: www.admiraltylaw.com
Metcalf & Co. (Halifax)
This six-lawyer boutique was established in 1986 and operates mainly in the areas of shipping law, marine insurance law and related litigation, and the marine aspects of Canadian offshore oil and gas activities. Partner Frank Metcalf is a past chairman of the Association of Average Adjusters of Canada. He also played a key role on a four-member panel struck in 2002 and 2003 to review the Canada Marine Act on behalf of the minister of transport. Clients include Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd., Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Groupama Transport, and British Marine Managers Ltd. www.metcalf.ns.ca
Isaacs & Co. (Toronto)
Founder has recently joined the bench of the Ontario Superior Court but the firm still continues to attract plenty of work. That’s in part due to the practice’s long history, having been passed on to Strathy in 1983 from former Federal Court justice Arthur Stone. Now with six lawyers, led by Marc Isaacs, key clients include one of the largest Canadian-owned ship operators on the Great Lakes, international shipping companies, marine insurance brokers, P&I clubs, and freight forwarders. It also attracts significant work in the area of injury claims stemming from recreational boating incidents. www.isaacsco.ca
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