Roundup of law firm hires, promotions, departures: Sept. 12, 2022 update

Ten law firms made new announcements

Roundup of law firm hires, promotions, departures: Sept. 12, 2022 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.

Aird & Berlis LLP

Manjit Singh joined the firm as a partner and member of the tax and estates and trusts groups.

Singh advises on tax planning and tax aspects of reorganizations and restructurings, M&A, divestitures, inbound and outbound structuring, takeovers, privatization, securitization, going public transactions, financing, securities offerings, and private placements. Moreover, she frequently speaks on taxation matters and regularly contributes to leading Canadian tax publications.

Meanwhile, Kristian Arciaga is now a partner and member of the firm’s real estate group.

Arciaga’s practice focuses on acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate, leasing and development work, and real estate financings. He has represented numerous clients, including real estate investment trusts, developers, and companies and individuals with real estate interests.

The firm also welcomed two new associates:

  • Sairam Sanathkumar – corporate group
  •  Hussein Olleik − litigation group

Dentons Canada

The firm appointed Raphael Eghan as the new lead of its Black Professionals Network (BPN). Launched in 2020, BPN provides a safe space for Black professionals and allies to share experiences and get involved in numerous significant strategic anti-Black racism efforts, including developing programs to further the learning of systemic racism and allyship in Canada.

“I am very pleased to be assuming the leadership of the Black Professionals Network,” Eghan said. “I look forward to working with our internal and external partners to advance Dentons’ inclusion and diversity values and its commitment to developing Black professionals within the firm and in the broader Black community.”

Eghan is a counsel in the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution group. He regularly deals with complex regulatory and corporate matters. He has appeared before several courts and tribunals across Canada, including Ontario courts, the Ontario Securities Commission, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Former Ontario’s Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott joined the firm as a counsel in the Toronto office’s health law group.

In her new role, Elliott will focus on counselling clients across the health care, biotech, and life sciences sectors. She will also provide guidance on navigating Canada’s rapidly evolving health regulatory environment.

“Christine is a proven public affairs leader, having helped lead the province of Ontario through the most significant health crisis in five generations, the COVID-19 pandemic,” said managing partner Peter Feldberg. “Her extensive knowledge and experience will be integral in helping our clients navigate existing and emerging complexities around health care in Ontario and Canada.”

The firm also welcomed three new partners in the Montreal and Toronto offices:

  • Charles Chevrette (Montreal) – corporate group
  •  Louis-Martin Dubé (Montreal) − real estate law group
  • Edward Lynde (Toronto) − litigation and dispute resolution group

Lavery de Billy LLP

The firm welcomed one new senior associate and 10 associates:

Senior Associate

  • Taïna Bouchard − litigation and dispute resolution group

Associates

  • Jean-Philippe Désilets − litigation and conflict resolution group
  • Daphné Pormerleau-Normandin − litigation and conflict resolution group
  • Felipe Díaz Villegas − business law group
  • Steven Desmarais − business law group
  • Chanel Calabro − business law group
  • Ghiles Helli − business law group
  • Jean-Vincent Prévost-Bérubé − business law group
  • Anabel Damaso − labour and employment law group
  • Simon Gagné-Carrier − labour and employment law group
  • Kabrina Péron − labour and employment law group

Lawson Lundell LLP

Kevin Chen is now a Landowner Transparency Act coordinator in the firm’s Vancouver office.

Chen is a member of the firm’s real estate group and has extensive expertise in Land Owner Transparency Registry. He also provides legal services to land development and construction clients by drafting easements, statutory rights of way, and tree removal documents.

In addition, six lawyers are now associates in the firm’s Vancouver and Calgary offices:

  • Miny Atwal (Vancouver) − labour, employment and human rights
  • Krystal Bernhardt (Vancouver) − litigation and dispute resolution
  • Jessica Kim (Vancouver) − pension and employee benefits
  • Natasha Sanders (Vancouver) − litigation and dispute resolution
  • Crystal Szeto ((Vancouver) − corporate commercial
  • Daniel Jonasson (Calgary) – litigation and dispute resolution

McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP

The firm welcomed Michelle Retief as an associate in the family law group.

Retief deals with parenting, support, and property issues and represents clients in ADR proceedings, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Unified Family Court. She previously worked as an associate at a boutique family law firm in London.

McMillan LLP

Five new associates joined the firm’s Toronto and Calgary offices:

  • Melanie Cheddi (Calgary) − corporate and commercial litigation
  • Saadia Naim (Toronto) − employment and labour relations
  • Hannah Johnson (Toronto) − competition, antitrust and foreign investment
  • Ximena Pinilla (Toronto) − commercial real estate
  • Danielle Karlin (Toronto) – tax

Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

The firm welcomed Mary Buttery as a partner in the Vancouver office’s litigation group.

Buttery is an experienced commercial litigator specializing in complex, multi-party commercial litigation and class actions. She also has notable expertise in restructuring and insolvency, enforcement of foreign judgments, and fraud.

She has represented financial institutions, debtors, creditors, receivers, and trustees in debt restructuring, corporate reorganizations, loan workouts, fraudulent preference actions, bankruptcy, and receiverships. She has appeared before BC and Ontario courts, the Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Smart & Biggar

Andrea Tapp joined the firm’s business leadership team as national operations lead. In her new role, she will lead the operation teams across the firm’s multiple offices, work closely with executives and the leadership team, and ensure a seamless and efficient process for meeting client needs.

Tapp has over 20 years of experience in IP administration. She previously led the firm’s trademark practice and managed the Canadian and foreign docketing departments, the communications team, and the Ottawa foreign paralegal team.

Stikeman Elliott LLP

Karen Fellowes joined the International Insolvency Institute. III is a non-profit, limited membership organization of leading insolvency practitioners, academics, judges, and financial industry professionals worldwide.

Fellowes is a senior counsel in the firm’s advocacy group. Her practice involves protecting the interests of banks, secured lenders, unsecured creditors, landlords, tenants, debtors, suppliers, and other stakeholders in commercial reorganizations, workouts, proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, and court-appointed receiverships.

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