Legal Feeds Blog
CANADA
Spousal violence costing goverment billions every year: study, Globe and Mail
York University sues former over alleged invoice scam, Toronto StarFormer B.C. Mountie to be extradited to U.S. to face drug charges, Vancouver Sun
UNITED STATES
California appeal court puts gay therapy ban on hold, for now, Reuters
Wells Fargo agrees to proposed settlement on shareholder actions, Reuters
INTERNATIONAL
MF Global trustee announces settlement deals key to cash payouts, Reuters
China to crack down on 'malicious' trademark registrations, Reuters
Toronto law firms raised almost $258,000 for the Daily Bread Food Bank this year, surpassing their goal of $250,000.
The final numbers for the Daily Bread Law Firm Challenge are in and, of the 41 law firms that participated, this year Blake Cassels and Graydon LLP is the overall winner, raising more than $40,000. This is the first time since the challenge started in 2003, that Blakes has won.
The winner for per-capita standings is Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP.
The top three firms in the overall standings are:
1. Blakes: $40,412.45
2. McCarthy Tétrault LLP: $39,168.05
3. Paliare Roland: $32,644.54
The top three firms in the per-capita standings are:
1. Paliare Roland: $480.07
2. Solmon Rothbart Goodman LLP: $380.94
3. Owens Wright LLP: $208.04
The Law Firm Challenge is Daily Bread’s largest employee drive of the holiday season and consistently raises close to $250,000 across the city.
The final numbers for the Daily Bread Law Firm Challenge are in and, of the 41 law firms that participated, this year Blake Cassels and Graydon LLP is the overall winner, raising more than $40,000. This is the first time since the challenge started in 2003, that Blakes has won.
The winner for per-capita standings is Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP.
The top three firms in the overall standings are:
1. Blakes: $40,412.45
2. McCarthy Tétrault LLP: $39,168.05
3. Paliare Roland: $32,644.54
The top three firms in the per-capita standings are:
1. Paliare Roland: $480.07
2. Solmon Rothbart Goodman LLP: $380.94
3. Owens Wright LLP: $208.04
The Law Firm Challenge is Daily Bread’s largest employee drive of the holiday season and consistently raises close to $250,000 across the city.
In part two of Legal Feeds salute to the Mo Bros and Sistas in the Canadian legal community, we are tipping our hats to the law students. In addition, a few law firms sent us their photos a little too late for yesterday's post, so we are including them as well. No Mo Bro left behind, is our motto.
Congratulations to all the participants who have been instrumental in helping Canada raise mo' than any other country in the world — for the second year in a row — during the Movember campaing for prostate cancer research and men's mental health.
Congratulations to all the participants who have been instrumental in helping Canada raise mo' than any other country in the world — for the second year in a row — during the Movember campaing for prostate cancer research and men's mental health.
This year’s intake of students in McGill’s faculty of law formed a team under the leadership of Tim Apedaile. The team, referred to as “Mo’tion to Dismiss” is comprised of 36 members, some of whom are pictured here.
The Canucks brigade from the University of Ottawa law school were motivated to grow some mos. Photo: Tim Tam.
These gentlemen law students from the University of Ottawa show us how to mo. Photo: Tim Tam.
The University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall had a team of 13 law students growing mos this year.
Second-year JD student at the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall Michael Cashion is one of the top law student fundraisers in Canada.
First-year Windsor University law student Jason Sitt was crowned King of Movember at his school. Photo: Evan Bawks
Windsor Law student Mike Maher now has a bristly upper lip to go with his full head of hair. Photo: Evan Bawks
Mo bros and sistas at the University of Windsor sport their “moustaches” in support of Movember. Photo: Evan Bawks
Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy LLP’s Mo Bros were split between its Kelowna and Vancouver offices. The Kelowna team sent along their photo but unfortunately the Vancouver bros were more camera shy.
The crew from Norton Rose Canada’s Calgary office ham it up for Movember.
McMillan LLP lawyers from across the country joined in to the facial hair-growing frenzy. Here's the Calgary section of the McStaches.
Alexandre Forest was the lone McStache at McMillan LLP's Montreal outpost.
There seems to be a theme going on with McMIllan's Ottawa McStaches.
The Toronto office McStaches seem to be pretty casual about the whole affair.
McMillan's Vancouver office with some serious Mos on their members of team McStaches.
Canada's newest Supreme Court of Canada judge Richard Wagner was publicly sworn in Monday. He officially became a justice of the court at a private ceremony shortly after he was in October.
Wagner is the son of Claude Wagner, a Quebec lawyer, prosecutor, judge, cabinet minister, federal Conservative leadership candidate, senator, who gave him much inspiration. He paid tribute to his father at yesterday's cermony.
Wagner, 55, was elevated to the top court from Quebec Court of Appeal. He replaces Justice Marie Deschamps who retired in August.
Wagner is the son of Claude Wagner, a Quebec lawyer, prosecutor, judge, cabinet minister, federal Conservative leadership candidate, senator, who gave him much inspiration. He paid tribute to his father at yesterday's cermony.
“His generosity and noble spirit always inspired me to follow in his steps. He will always be my hero,” Wagner said at the formal gathering at the Supreme Court.
Wagner, 55, was elevated to the top court from Quebec Court of Appeal. He replaces Justice Marie Deschamps who retired in August.
Legal Feeds salutes all the Mo Bros and Sistas in the Canadian legal community who have put their time and efforts into raising money and awareness for a great cause during the month of Movember. Please share in the glory of their fantastic facial hair.
As well check out the photo gallery of the students from law schools across the country who also participated. It'll be posted tomorrow.
As well check out the photo gallery of the students from law schools across the country who also participated. It'll be posted tomorrow.
Calgary’s Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP articling students Andrew Kuzma (left) and Brandon Holden (right) did it up right.
The BLG "Mo Bros" show theirs off!
The "Cassels Brock and Stachewell" team featuring (l to r) top: Geoff Breen, Ardy Mohajer, bottom: John McGowan, Lorne Silver, Chris Horkins and Patrick MacDonald.
The dapper team from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP’s Montreal office.
London, Ont.'s Harrison Pensa lawyers show off their moustachioed selves.
Alex Shalashniy of the Regina firm Kanuka Thuringer LLP’s very bold mo.
Our colleague Tim Wilbur, Lexpert Magazine managing editor, sports one for the team.
The team from Mason Bennett Johncox in Whitby, Ont.
Celebrating their ’staches (l to r) are: Ryan Gelbart, Ben Bloom, David Ullmann, Andrew Zinman, Brad Good, Mark Freake and Edward Asmar of Toronto firm Minden Gross LLP.
A sterling mo effort from the team at Norton Rose Canada’s Toronto office. Photo: V. Summerfield.
The Honourable Justice Jamie W. S. Saunders Award is presented in Halifax annually to a Mo Bro or a Mo Sista or a team for their passion for and commitment to Movember. Nova Scotia Court of Appeal Justice Jamie W.S. Saunders presented this year’s to Rebecca L. Hiltz LeBlanc, a partner at Boyne Clarke LLP, and her husband Mitch Hiltz LeBlanc.
Sporting their ’staches at the Movember wrap up event held at the Halifax Law Courts on Nov. 29 are Nova Scotia Court of Appeal justices Peter M.S. Bryson, Pierre L. Muise, David P.S. Farrar, and Jamie W.S. Saunders, and Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Patrick J. Murray.
The Aird & Berlis LLP in Toronto team took their sexy moustaches up a notch, doing it Gangnam Style.
The very smiley bros from Oslers show off a solid set of mos.
Winnipeg law firm Pitblado’s team: Michael Puchniak, Seth Nerman, and Mark Wallace.
Daniel Strickland of Siskinds LLP in London gets a donation from Western University’s law dean Iain Scott.
Jean-Marc Leclerc of Sotos LLP sports his self-described “creepy” moustache.
The proud members of the Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP: (l to r): Kim Ferreira, Danny Nunes, Mark Donald, Kyle Plunkett, and Bob Thornton.
The MoTorys LLP team display their ’staches.
Four members of legal profession invested in Order of Canada
Written by Gail J. Cohen Monday, 26 November 2012
Governor General David Johnston presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Friday. He bestowed the honour on 27 Members, 16 Officers and one Companion, including four members of the legal profession.
Ian Binnie was elevated to Companion of the Order of Canada for his enduring contributions to law in Canada. One of the few lawyers appointed directly from the bar to the Supreme Court, he served there with wisdom for 14 years. His public service, also included four years as associate deputy minister of Justice and as a constitutional expert, he has demonstrated an abiding concern for issues affecting Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and was instrumental in developing the country’s jurisprudence in this area. He continues to make important contributions to the law and Canadian society.
John Richard, who served as the chief justice of the Federal Court of Appeal for more than a decade, guiding the institution through a period of reorganization and improving access to justice, was elevated as an Officer of the Order of Canada. His personal commitment to society is also evident in his service with various institutions and charitable organizations, including Carleton University, Reach Canada and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Receiving her Member of the Order of Canada medal, Aaju Peter is an ardent defender of the rights of Canada’s northern Indigenous people. An Inuk clothing designer, lawyer and activist who lives in Iqualuit, she is committed to preserving Inuit culture and language. Travelling internationally, she has raised global awareness of the challenges confronting Canada’s most northern inhabitants. She also speaks about issues related to sustainability and resources, and their impact on the traditional way of life.
Also a new Member, Saskatoon lawyer Henry Kloppenburg’s generosity reflects his passion for his community. He is a collector of Canadian and Native art, much of which he has donated for public display. From scholarships and art donations to the establishment of the Kloppenburg Wildlife Refuge, his contributions have enriched the educational and cultural landscape of his province. He has also provided leadership to many organizations, including the University of Saskatchewan’s Biomedical Ethics Committee, the Kidney Foundation of Canada (Saskatchewan), the Mendel Art Gallery and the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.
Photos: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © 2012 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General of Canada
Ian Binnie was elevated to Companion of the Order of Canada for his enduring contributions to law in Canada. One of the few lawyers appointed directly from the bar to the Supreme Court, he served there with wisdom for 14 years. His public service, also included four years as associate deputy minister of Justice and as a constitutional expert, he has demonstrated an abiding concern for issues affecting Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and was instrumental in developing the country’s jurisprudence in this area. He continues to make important contributions to the law and Canadian society.
John Richard, who served as the chief justice of the Federal Court of Appeal for more than a decade, guiding the institution through a period of reorganization and improving access to justice, was elevated as an Officer of the Order of Canada. His personal commitment to society is also evident in his service with various institutions and charitable organizations, including Carleton University, Reach Canada and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Receiving her Member of the Order of Canada medal, Aaju Peter is an ardent defender of the rights of Canada’s northern Indigenous people. An Inuk clothing designer, lawyer and activist who lives in Iqualuit, she is committed to preserving Inuit culture and language. Travelling internationally, she has raised global awareness of the challenges confronting Canada’s most northern inhabitants. She also speaks about issues related to sustainability and resources, and their impact on the traditional way of life.
Also a new Member, Saskatoon lawyer Henry Kloppenburg’s generosity reflects his passion for his community. He is a collector of Canadian and Native art, much of which he has donated for public display. From scholarships and art donations to the establishment of the Kloppenburg Wildlife Refuge, his contributions have enriched the educational and cultural landscape of his province. He has also provided leadership to many organizations, including the University of Saskatchewan’s Biomedical Ethics Committee, the Kidney Foundation of Canada (Saskatchewan), the Mendel Art Gallery and the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.
Photos: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © 2012 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General of Canada
Former Supreme Court of Canada justice Ian Binnie with Governor General David Johnston.
Former chief justice of the Federal Court of Appeal John Richard with Governor General David Johnston.
Nunavut lawyer Aaju Peter after her investiture as a Member of the Order of Canada with Governor General David Johnson.
Saskatoon lawyer Henry Kloppenburg after receiving his Order of Canada medal from Governor General David Johnson.
Here’s the official word from the Law Society of Upper Canada on the 36-20 vote to create a new Law Practice Program pilot project as part of its efforts to transform the articling system.
The debate over creating this new two-tiered articling system went on for many hours this morning and was watched online by over 1,000 people about 500 people. The Twitterverse was also all over it with a variety of people live tweeting and debating the debate. For a time, the hashtag #articling was the top trending topic in Canada.
No matter what the outcome, interest in the future of articling is great and the profession and law students probably had more input and open discussion about this issue than any before at the LSUC.
However, there was a tremendous amount of displeasure on two from law students who were following the debate on Twitter: no student voices were heard during the debate itself and the outcome. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say:
@sweetcement: What a bad decision LSUC. Thank you for potentially creating a generation of under-qualified, indebted, unpaid lawyers. #articling
University of Ottawa’s @KatarinaGermani: disappointing decision by LSUC on the #articling crisis to move to a two-tier system, disregarding huge issues with access to the profession
@tomreidwilson in Toronto: Saddened by how little attention was paid to student voices in the recent #articling decision.
@JamesDBowie in Ottawa: LL.B’s like me who feel strongly about #articling still have the choice. I want to article, and I plan to.
@ErinDand: Sad that the #articling crisis has been ‘solved’ by a bandaid solution creating a 2tier system. LPP wont help the fact of too many lawyers
Ottawa’s @MichDoody: Well LSUC, we put an important decision in your hands... you just let down a lot of people.
@HopelessJD: my final thought is how screwed my future is by this decision
University of Toronto’s @Ella_Henry: Unpaid co-ops + higher fees is the opposite of helping students graduating w/ 100,000+ in debt
Some lawyers were behind the decision:
@dougferguson9, the director of Community Legal Services at Western Law: Congratulations to the benchers @LawsocietyLSUC for moving forward with change after a thorough debate.
@Joel_Welch: Thanks to the #36 #LUSC #Benchers who voted for changes to the licensing reqs. It gives many candidates a fighting chance.
Many were not:
@dforce66: I think our profession just made a huge mistake, but I guess only time will tell... #articling 36-20
Criminal lawyer @RHDefence: The proper solution to the articling crisis is known to everyone. The idea of a two tier licencing process is a sham
Ottawa’s @GalldinRoberts: #LSUC, hard to show young lawyers there is value to their work when we’re telling them to work for free #articling
@wiselaw: Wrong outcome, but cudos to the LSUC for the open process and live streaming of this important debate
@renattaaustin: LPP is now with us as an alternative to #articling. The ball is now in the law schools’ court to move to the Carnegie Model.
We’ll have more analysis and insight into the debate and its impact on Law Times and Canadian Lawyer 4Students next week.
The Law Society’s governing body today approved a three-year pilot project that will allow lawyer licensing candidates to either article or complete a Law Practice Program, starting in the 2014-15 licensing year.
The pilot project will measure competence through a fair process which provides access to the profession and fosters access to justice, while protecting the public.
The new licensing pilot will be extended for up to an additional two years if there is sufficient evidence to properly evaluate the pilot after three years.
Convocation also approved an appropriate member contribution to help defray costs of the pilot project. The amount of the contribution will be recommended by the Law Society’s Professional Development and Competence Committee to Convocation.
The program reflects the views of the majority of the Articling Task Force and was developed following extensive consultation with the profession and other stakeholders throughout 2012.
“Convocation had a robust discussion and agreed that this is the best path to follow, recognizing the complexity of the issue and that there is no one tried and tested solution,” Law Society Treasurer Thomas G. Conway said.
“This project addresses the reality of the articling placement shortage and that the articling requirement should not be a barrier to licensing to eligible, competent candidates.”
Under the pilot project, candidates may either complete the traditional 10-month articling term, with enhanced documentation, or an approximately four-month long LPP, which will also include an additional four-month co-operative work placement.
The Law Society will outsource the LPP and the establishment of the work placements will be the responsibility of the third-party provider.
The Law Society will oversee the assessments of defined learning outcomes necessary for entry-level practice for all candidates.
The debate over creating this new two-tiered articling system went on for many hours this morning and was watched online by over 1,000 people about 500 people. The Twitterverse was also all over it with a variety of people live tweeting and debating the debate. For a time, the hashtag #articling was the top trending topic in Canada.
No matter what the outcome, interest in the future of articling is great and the profession and law students probably had more input and open discussion about this issue than any before at the LSUC.
However, there was a tremendous amount of displeasure on two from law students who were following the debate on Twitter: no student voices were heard during the debate itself and the outcome. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say:
@sweetcement: What a bad decision LSUC. Thank you for potentially creating a generation of under-qualified, indebted, unpaid lawyers. #articling
University of Ottawa’s @KatarinaGermani: disappointing decision by LSUC on the #articling crisis to move to a two-tier system, disregarding huge issues with access to the profession
@tomreidwilson in Toronto: Saddened by how little attention was paid to student voices in the recent #articling decision.
@JamesDBowie in Ottawa: LL.B’s like me who feel strongly about #articling still have the choice. I want to article, and I plan to.
@ErinDand: Sad that the #articling crisis has been ‘solved’ by a bandaid solution creating a 2tier system. LPP wont help the fact of too many lawyers
Ottawa’s @MichDoody: Well LSUC, we put an important decision in your hands... you just let down a lot of people.
@HopelessJD: my final thought is how screwed my future is by this decision
University of Toronto’s @Ella_Henry: Unpaid co-ops + higher fees is the opposite of helping students graduating w/ 100,000+ in debt
Some lawyers were behind the decision:
@dougferguson9, the director of Community Legal Services at Western Law: Congratulations to the benchers @LawsocietyLSUC for moving forward with change after a thorough debate.
@Joel_Welch: Thanks to the #36 #LUSC #Benchers who voted for changes to the licensing reqs. It gives many candidates a fighting chance.
Many were not:
@dforce66: I think our profession just made a huge mistake, but I guess only time will tell... #articling 36-20
Criminal lawyer @RHDefence: The proper solution to the articling crisis is known to everyone. The idea of a two tier licencing process is a sham
Ottawa’s @GalldinRoberts: #LSUC, hard to show young lawyers there is value to their work when we’re telling them to work for free #articling
@wiselaw: Wrong outcome, but cudos to the LSUC for the open process and live streaming of this important debate
@renattaaustin: LPP is now with us as an alternative to #articling. The ball is now in the law schools’ court to move to the Carnegie Model.
We’ll have more analysis and insight into the debate and its impact on Law Times and Canadian Lawyer 4Students next week.
The Law Society of British Columbia today is launching its Justicia Project aimed at increasing the number of women lawyers in private practice.
The Justicia Project was first developed by the Law Society of Upper Canada and is a voluntary program for law firms to identify and implement best practices to retain and advance women lawyers in private practice. It was created in response to evidence that women leave the profession at a higher rate than men in the first 10 years of practice. Quebec implemented its Justicia Project in 2011 and Alberta approved its in May of this year.
B.C.’s program has two phases: one is directed at national law firms with offices in B.C. that are already participants in Justicia in Ontario and Alberta, as well as large regional firms who may be interested in the project. Phase two will be directed at all other B.C. firms.
Shayne Strukoff, managing partner of Gowlings’ Vancouver office, and Gowlings’ associate Helena Plecko volunteered to drive the initiative on behalf of the LSBC. Other members of the B.C. Justicia working group are Lisa Vogt, chairwoman of McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s national diversity committee, and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP Vancouver managing partner Bill Maclagan.
“We encourage law firms of all sizes to lend their support to this important project,” says Plecko. “We hope it will pave the way for systemic change in the legal profession that will address the realities women in private practice are facing.”
Today, Gowlings is hosting a managing partners summit to introduce the first phase of the project. Participating law firms will commit to achieving goals in four areas:
• tracking gender demographics;
• reviewing/introducing flexible work arrangements and parental leave policies;
• adopting initiatives to foster women’s networking and business development; and
• promoting leadership skills for women.
This latest Justicia project comes on the heels of the first-ever national survey of women’s initiatives in law firms from the U.S.-based NAWL Foundation, the research and charitable arm of the National Association of Women Lawyers. It found that despite a prevalence of women’s initiatives in law firms, many don’t have sufficient funding or articulated goals to make them successful.
The survey shows firms are not devoting enough resources to women’s initiatives, despite the positive effect they can have on law firms’ business. Although 97 per cent of large U.S. firms sponsor a women’s initiative, only 42 per cent report their women’s initiative is part of the firm’s strategic plan. Eighty per cent identify an objective for their women’s initiative, but it is unclear whether objectives are written and linked to specific goals, such as retention or advancement. And while a little more than half of firms sponsor firm-wide meetings of women partners, only 29 per cent of firms consider such events to be effective.
“These statistics confirm what women, particularly in large firms, already know, which is that women are not receiving the kind of support that translates into equity partnerships and true leadership positions,” American Bar Association President Laurel Bellows said in response to the report.
The survey also looked at how women’s initiatives can move to the next phase. Its recommendations included having fewer “soft” programs, such as networking functions, and more programs that target the factors that directly affect advancement in firms. The survey also found that women’s initiatives require more funding: The typical law firm spends far less on its women’s initiatives than on the salary of one first-year associate.
While focused on American firms, the NAWL Foundation report has some good analysis of what firms are and can be doing in order to make their initiatives more valuable and actually work to keep women in private practice. It would be worthwhile for everyone involved in the Justicia projects around the country to read it.
Lawyers or law firms with questions about Justicia or how to participate should contact Michael Lucas, the LSBC’s manager of policy and legal services This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 |
| The first phase of B.C.’s Justicia Project will focus on national and large regional firms. (Photo: Liv Clark) |
B.C.’s program has two phases: one is directed at national law firms with offices in B.C. that are already participants in Justicia in Ontario and Alberta, as well as large regional firms who may be interested in the project. Phase two will be directed at all other B.C. firms.
Shayne Strukoff, managing partner of Gowlings’ Vancouver office, and Gowlings’ associate Helena Plecko volunteered to drive the initiative on behalf of the LSBC. Other members of the B.C. Justicia working group are Lisa Vogt, chairwoman of McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s national diversity committee, and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP Vancouver managing partner Bill Maclagan.
“We encourage law firms of all sizes to lend their support to this important project,” says Plecko. “We hope it will pave the way for systemic change in the legal profession that will address the realities women in private practice are facing.”
Today, Gowlings is hosting a managing partners summit to introduce the first phase of the project. Participating law firms will commit to achieving goals in four areas:
• tracking gender demographics;
• reviewing/introducing flexible work arrangements and parental leave policies;
• adopting initiatives to foster women’s networking and business development; and
• promoting leadership skills for women.
This latest Justicia project comes on the heels of the first-ever national survey of women’s initiatives in law firms from the U.S.-based NAWL Foundation, the research and charitable arm of the National Association of Women Lawyers. It found that despite a prevalence of women’s initiatives in law firms, many don’t have sufficient funding or articulated goals to make them successful.
The survey shows firms are not devoting enough resources to women’s initiatives, despite the positive effect they can have on law firms’ business. Although 97 per cent of large U.S. firms sponsor a women’s initiative, only 42 per cent report their women’s initiative is part of the firm’s strategic plan. Eighty per cent identify an objective for their women’s initiative, but it is unclear whether objectives are written and linked to specific goals, such as retention or advancement. And while a little more than half of firms sponsor firm-wide meetings of women partners, only 29 per cent of firms consider such events to be effective.
“These statistics confirm what women, particularly in large firms, already know, which is that women are not receiving the kind of support that translates into equity partnerships and true leadership positions,” American Bar Association President Laurel Bellows said in response to the report.
The survey also looked at how women’s initiatives can move to the next phase. Its recommendations included having fewer “soft” programs, such as networking functions, and more programs that target the factors that directly affect advancement in firms. The survey also found that women’s initiatives require more funding: The typical law firm spends far less on its women’s initiatives than on the salary of one first-year associate.
While focused on American firms, the NAWL Foundation report has some good analysis of what firms are and can be doing in order to make their initiatives more valuable and actually work to keep women in private practice. It would be worthwhile for everyone involved in the Justicia projects around the country to read it.
Lawyers or law firms with questions about Justicia or how to participate should contact Michael Lucas, the LSBC’s manager of policy and legal services This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Norton Rose to merge with U.S. firm Fulbright & Jaworski
- Combination to go live in June 2013
Norton Rose today announced it will combine with U.S. law firm Fulbright & Jaworski filling in a key gap for the international legal practice.
As of June 1, 2013, the global legal giant will be known as Norton Rose Fulbright. It will have 3,800 lawyers and be a top 10 global legal practice by gross revenue and by number of lawyers with 55 offices internationally, including 11 offices and 800 lawyers in the U.S. in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, St Louis and Washington D.C. Norton Rose Fulbright will also have a new office in Riyadh and additional strength in London, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Munich.
“This has certainly been an import piece of the puzzle,” John Coleman, managing partner of Norton Rose in Canada, told Legal Feeds this morning. “The U.S. is a key market for around the world but particularly for the Canadian market. It completes us on a north-south basis.”
The firm is focusing on growing its operations with “boots on the ground” and not using referrals as a long-term strategy said Coleman. He noted the firm’s focus on six main industries in all of its mergers has meant there are also limited conflicts. “Remarkably this is not a combination rife with many conflicts.”
Since the former Ogilvy Renault announced its merger plans with Norton Rose in November 2010, the question of an American partner has been on everyone’s lips. Coleman noted it had a number of American suitors but Fulbright & Jaworski was the best fit culturally and in terms of strategic business growth.
“They complement and reinforce in Canada and around the world” Norton Rose’s primary industry focuses, says Coleman. “[Fulbright] matches all the things we need and want.”
Coleman particularly points to the U.S. firm’s expertise in energy, which dovetails with the strong energy practice of the former Calgary-based Macleod Dixon, which officially joined Norton Rose in January 2012 at the same time as a marriage with South African firm Deneys Reitz.
“This will consolidate our position as a global energy powerhouse,” said Bill Tuer, a Calgary-based member of Norton Rose Group’s executive committee and former managing partner of Macleod Dixon.
In addition to energy, the firm will be strong in the areas of litigation and dispute resolution; corporate; intellectual property; and banking and finance. Intellectual property, pharmaceuticals and life sciences (including healthcare) will also be key, said Coleman. Tapping into a growing market, the firm will be establishing a global regulatory and investigations practice.
Fulbright’s chairman elect Kenneth L. Stewart commented: “This is a smart combination of two groups whose geographic presence, capabilities and client service cultures are strongly complementary. The combined organization will provide the experience, insight and service our clients need everywhere they do business around the world.”
Coleman said the firm will continue to operate using the verein structure and operating under a global executive committee.
According to The Lawyer, the firms’ combined revenues will come to roughly $1.9B (£1.2B), with Norton Rose turning over $1.32M in 2011-12, according to The Lawyer UK 200 2012, while Fulbright’s 2011 income was roughly $580M.
Martyr will continue as CEO of Norton Rose Fulbright. Stewart will continue as U.S. managing partner of Fulbright and take a senior position on Norton Rose Fulbright’s global executive committee. Canadian Norman Steinberg is the global chairman of the firm.
 |
| The combination with Fulbright & Jaworski completes a big part of the puzzle for Norton Rose, says John Coleman. |
“This has certainly been an import piece of the puzzle,” John Coleman, managing partner of Norton Rose in Canada, told Legal Feeds this morning. “The U.S. is a key market for around the world but particularly for the Canadian market. It completes us on a north-south basis.”
The firm is focusing on growing its operations with “boots on the ground” and not using referrals as a long-term strategy said Coleman. He noted the firm’s focus on six main industries in all of its mergers has meant there are also limited conflicts. “Remarkably this is not a combination rife with many conflicts.”
Since the former Ogilvy Renault announced its merger plans with Norton Rose in November 2010, the question of an American partner has been on everyone’s lips. Coleman noted it had a number of American suitors but Fulbright & Jaworski was the best fit culturally and in terms of strategic business growth.
“They complement and reinforce in Canada and around the world” Norton Rose’s primary industry focuses, says Coleman. “[Fulbright] matches all the things we need and want.”
Coleman particularly points to the U.S. firm’s expertise in energy, which dovetails with the strong energy practice of the former Calgary-based Macleod Dixon, which officially joined Norton Rose in January 2012 at the same time as a marriage with South African firm Deneys Reitz.
“This will consolidate our position as a global energy powerhouse,” said Bill Tuer, a Calgary-based member of Norton Rose Group’s executive committee and former managing partner of Macleod Dixon.
In addition to energy, the firm will be strong in the areas of litigation and dispute resolution; corporate; intellectual property; and banking and finance. Intellectual property, pharmaceuticals and life sciences (including healthcare) will also be key, said Coleman. Tapping into a growing market, the firm will be establishing a global regulatory and investigations practice.
Fulbright’s chairman elect Kenneth L. Stewart commented: “This is a smart combination of two groups whose geographic presence, capabilities and client service cultures are strongly complementary. The combined organization will provide the experience, insight and service our clients need everywhere they do business around the world.”
Coleman said the firm will continue to operate using the verein structure and operating under a global executive committee.
According to The Lawyer, the firms’ combined revenues will come to roughly $1.9B (£1.2B), with Norton Rose turning over $1.32M in 2011-12, according to The Lawyer UK 200 2012, while Fulbright’s 2011 income was roughly $580M.
Martyr will continue as CEO of Norton Rose Fulbright. Stewart will continue as U.S. managing partner of Fulbright and take a senior position on Norton Rose Fulbright’s global executive committee. Canadian Norman Steinberg is the global chairman of the firm.
FMC merger with Salans, Dentons set for 2013
Written by Yamri Taddese and Gail J. Cohen Friday, 09 November 2012
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP is preparing to merge with two large international law firms in a move CEO Chris Pinnington says will provide a significant boost to Canada’s presence in the global legal market.
The three-way merger with Salans LLP of London, England, and Washington, D.C.- and London-based SNR Denton will create a 2,500-lawyer firm. The move would make it one of the 10 largest law firms in the world.
The firms are recommending the deal to their partners on Nov. 13. Subject to the vote, the combination will become effective in the first quarter of 2013.
The new firm will be known as Dentons but will incorporate the legacy firms’ brands for an intermediate period. After that the FMC name will name will disappear. Pinnington says the brand is “impactful and has a long legacy.” He adds the firms share similar firm cultures and values.
With 550 lawyers and legal professionals across six offices in Canada, FMC is already one of the nation’s largest law firms. It will also be the first law firm merger that gives a Canadian firm a substantial presence in the United States.
“This is about the globalizing economy,” says Pinnington. “By expanding our geographic reach, we will be able to work with our clients as they continue to expand their businesses overseas.”
Energy, mining, and infrastructure — all areas Pinnington calls FMC’s “pillars” — are central to the global economy, he says. The move, he adds, “puts us into key markets that interest our clients.”
SNR Denton, a 1,200-lawyer firm, has more than 60 locations worldwide, including in Britain, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and Africa. It was formed when American firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP and Britain’s Denton Wilde Sapte LLP merged in 2010.
Salans has more than 750 lawyers who serve clients in 17 countries and specialize in sectors such as the automotive, telecommunications, and financial industries.
The three firms are building a new one together, says Pinnington, who emphasizes that FMC is not “being acquired or taken over.” The amalgamation would follow a structure that doesn’t combine the firms’ finances.
FMC has offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. Canada’s sixth-largest firm will take three of the 14 seats on the new firm’s global board.
“The combination is the most significant law firm combination not born out of the merger of a UK and US firm and the only combination involving firms with significant operations in Europe, Canada, the UK and the US,” says a statement from the firms.
Strategic planning for the merger began two years ago. A thorough consultation process followed, says Pinnington.
The new firm will be structured as a Swiss Verein with four separate limited liability partnerships and led by a global board and leadership team including:
Update: Nov 28, 2012: The partners of Salans, FMC and SNR Denton voted to combine to create Dentons. The new firm will launch in the first quarter of 2013. For more information, visit dentonscombination.com.
 |
| The three-way merger puts FMC 'into key markets that interest our clients,' says CEO Chris Pinnington. |
The firms are recommending the deal to their partners on Nov. 13. Subject to the vote, the combination will become effective in the first quarter of 2013.
The new firm will be known as Dentons but will incorporate the legacy firms’ brands for an intermediate period. After that the FMC name will name will disappear. Pinnington says the brand is “impactful and has a long legacy.” He adds the firms share similar firm cultures and values.
With 550 lawyers and legal professionals across six offices in Canada, FMC is already one of the nation’s largest law firms. It will also be the first law firm merger that gives a Canadian firm a substantial presence in the United States.
“This is about the globalizing economy,” says Pinnington. “By expanding our geographic reach, we will be able to work with our clients as they continue to expand their businesses overseas.”
Energy, mining, and infrastructure — all areas Pinnington calls FMC’s “pillars” — are central to the global economy, he says. The move, he adds, “puts us into key markets that interest our clients.”
SNR Denton, a 1,200-lawyer firm, has more than 60 locations worldwide, including in Britain, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and Africa. It was formed when American firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP and Britain’s Denton Wilde Sapte LLP merged in 2010.
Salans has more than 750 lawyers who serve clients in 17 countries and specialize in sectors such as the automotive, telecommunications, and financial industries.
The three firms are building a new one together, says Pinnington, who emphasizes that FMC is not “being acquired or taken over.” The amalgamation would follow a structure that doesn’t combine the firms’ finances.
FMC has offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. Canada’s sixth-largest firm will take three of the 14 seats on the new firm’s global board.
“The combination is the most significant law firm combination not born out of the merger of a UK and US firm and the only combination involving firms with significant operations in Europe, Canada, the UK and the US,” says a statement from the firms.
Strategic planning for the merger began two years ago. A thorough consultation process followed, says Pinnington.
The new firm will be structured as a Swiss Verein with four separate limited liability partnerships and led by a global board and leadership team including:
- Elliott Portnoy, global chief executive officer, currently SNR Denton's global chief executive officer
- Joe Andrew, global chairman, currently SNR Denton's global chair
- Francois Chateau, global vice chairman, currently Salans' global board chairman
- Bill Jenkins, global vice chairman, currently FMC's national partnership board presiding member
- Chris Pinnington, Canada chief executive officer, currently FMC's chief executive officer
- Matthew Jones, U.K., Middle East, and Africa chief executive officer, currently SNR Denton's EMEA chief executive officer
- Dariusz Oleszczuk, Europe chief executive officer, currently Salans' global managing partner
- Peter Wolfson, U.S. chief executive officer, currently SNR Denton's U.S. chief executive officer
- Jana Cohen Barbe, currently SNR Denton's financial institutions and funds sector co-chairwoman
- Michael Barr, currently SNR Denton's U.S. senior partner
- Neil Cuthbert, currently SNR Denton's Middle East senior partner
- Mike Kaplan, currently managing partner of FMC's Toronto office
- Martin Kitchen, currently SNR Denton's U.K. senior partner
- Evan Lazar, currently Salans' global real estate co-chairman
Update: Nov 28, 2012: The partners of Salans, FMC and SNR Denton voted to combine to create Dentons. The new firm will launch in the first quarter of 2013. For more information, visit dentonscombination.com.
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