Five partners leave McLean & Kerr for Dentons Canada

Dentons Canada announced Tuesday that 10 individuals from McLean & Kerr LLP, a boutique law firm known in the Toronto market for its commercial real estate and litigation practice, were joining the firm in Toronto.

Five partners leave McLean & Kerr for Dentons Canada
Beth Wilson, Dentons Canada chief executive officer, says the firm is undergoing 'tremendous growth.'

Dentons Canada announced Tuesday that 10 individuals from McLean & Kerr LLP, a boutique law firm known in the Toronto market for its commercial real estate and litigation practice, were joining the firm in Toronto.

“I am very pleased to welcome this impressive team of exceptional talent to Dentons,” said Beth Wilson, Dentons Canada chief executive officer, in a statement released today. “Dentons Canada is currently undergoing tremendous growth, which is being fuelled by our clients benefiting from our global platform, our focus on innovation and the quality and expertise of our local teams.” We are thrilled to have the McLean & Kerr team join us at such an exciting time.”

Joining as partners are Todd Davidson and Sharon Addison. Davidson, a partner in the real estate group, has a practice focused on leasing and purchase, sale and financing transactions, and Addison, a partner in the litigation and dispute resolution group, brings extensive experience and knowledge in real estate-related litigation matters.

Others joining the firm include Stuart LeMesurier (commercial real estate), Leanne Fasciano (litigation) and Elaine Gray (litigation) as counsel, as well as law clerks and legal assistants Michelle Haché, Lopa Raulino, Anna Damasio,Vicki Lau and Mildred Nunes.

“Dentons’ commitment to innovation is something that resonates strongly with us,” says Sharon Addison. “Our clients are increasingly looking to us to provide innovative approaches to not just their legal needs but also their broader business challenges. This holistic approach to working with clients is just one of the reasons we’re so pleased to be part of the Dentons team.”

“Our move to Dentons is a new and exciting chapter in our professional careers,” Davidson said in the press release. “As part of the world’s largest global law firm, we are able to provide the range of service offerings and technology solutions that will help drive results for our clients.”

In the statement, Dentons indicated that the McLean & Kerr team “aligns with the firm’s plan to grow significantly in Canada’s major markets, including Toronto.” 

“We are focused on being the leading global firm in the Toronto market,” says Blair McCreadie, managing partner of Dentons’ Toronto office. “Adding depth and breadth to our team in Toronto is a key national priority for Dentons. This impressive group of individuals will provide added strength to our commercial real estate and leasing, commercial litigation and construction practices as we continue to grow to meet the needs of our clients.”

The addition of the McLean & Kerr lawyers is part of a broader effort to grow the Toronto office, says Blair McCreadie, managing partner of Dentons Canada LLP’s Toronto office.

“This [McLean and Kerr] team is part of about 25 new colleagues who have joined our office in the last 12 months,” says McCreadie, managing partner of Dentons Canada LLP’s Toronto office. “The recent addition of the team from McLean & Kerr is just one further step in our plan to aggressively grow Dentons in the Toronto market.”

“We have a clear focus on being the leading global law firm in the Toronto market and so frankly we are expanding across all practice areas. In particular, with M&K, it was a highly-regarded boutique firm in commercial real estate, construction and litigation. The fact they have joined us really builds on the strength of our existing real estate and litigation practice. They have a number of strong relationships with Canadian real estate and property development firms as well as a number of pension funds. As those grow and Canadian companies expand their holdings we want to be their global law firm."

Editor's Note: Updated July 26, 2018 to include comments from Blair McCreadie.

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