MCMILLAN SNAGS FORMER FINANCE MINISTER
Former Minister of Finance of Ontario Dwight Duncan is set to join McMillan LLP as a senior strategic advisor, the law firm announced Feb. 13.
Beginning in March, Duncan will help McMillan’s clients invest locally and internationally. He will be working out of the Toronto office.
The law firm is “privileged” to have Duncan and his experience, said CEO Andrew Kent in a press release.
“McMillan is quickly becoming one of Canada’s premier legal advisors to business, able to lend strategic insight and expertise to help businesses both within Canada and with their international interests,” Kent said. “Dwight adds additional strength, breadth, and depth to our existing client service teams.”
Duncan, who is former deputy premier for the Ontario government, has worked in public service for the last 25 years. He also held posts as government house leader, Minister of Revenue, Minister of Energy, and chairman of cabinet.
Duncan said his experiences are “clearly aligned with McMillian’s.”
“It is a growing, ambitious firm with an entrepreneurial culture I admire and with expertise that attracts and assists businesses locally and abroad,” he said. “I share its interest and commitment to energy, property and casualty insurance, infrastructure, and pensions.”
WELL KNOWN JUDGE JOINS BLG
Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Dennis O’Connor is joining Border Ladner Gervais LLP as counsel to the firm. O’Connor, who served on the bench for 14 years, was also Associate Chief Justice of Ontario from 2010-2012.
Before joining the bench, Dennis practiced litigation law with then Borden & Elliot in Toronto.
“Dennis has an illustrious career and reputation and it is an honour to have him return to BLG,” said Sean Weir, BLG’s national managing partner, in a press release. “He brings extraordinary experience to a team that is already exceptionally strong, which will serve BLG’s clients well.”
Dennis, known for his role in the Walkerton and Arar inquiries, has plenty of legal experience in the Yukon Territory.
“I’ve been fortunate in my career to have had experiences that can benefit BLG professionals and their clients as they deal with important legal and business issues,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to rejoining the firm and building on what is already an excellent practice.”
RODRIGUE TO LEAD TORYS’ NEW MONTREAL OFFICE
Torys LLP is opening a Montreal office to be led by former Norton Rose partner Sylvie Rodrigue.
After 22 years, Rodrigue has moved to Torys LLP as a partner and will continue to practise litigation in Toronto while heading up the new Montreal office.
The office is due to officially open by April 2 and will focus on litigation. It will be known as Société d’avocats Torys S.E.N.C.R.L./Torys Law Firm LLP.
Torys managing partner Les Viner says: “Opening an office in Montreal is a client-centric decision. We deal a lot in national litigation, particularly in class action. We think a lot of our clients would benefit from having us providing an integral, strategic and tactical approach from other parts of the country.”
Poll results
The results of the latest Law Times online poll are in.
Over half of participants do not agree with the Supreme Court in the recent Indalex Ltd. case ruling.
Fifty-five per cent of participants said the creditor priority in the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings should not rank debtor-in-possession lenders ahead of pensioners.
On Feb. 1, the Supreme Court said DIP lenders should be paid first by troubled companies because of the primacy of federal laws that are incompatible with provincial ones.
