Monday, May 2, 2016

SOCIAL IMPACT GROUP ANNOUNCED
Miller Thomson LLP has announced its Charities and Not-For-Profit group will now be known as the Social Impact Group.

The group will “continue to provide unique value-added services that help organizations succeed through changing economic, political and technological realities,” according to a firm news release.

“Clients are looking for sustainable new ways to deliver social change,” said Susan Manwaring, national chairwoman of Miller Thomson’s Social Impact Group.

“Increasingly, our legal team is being called upon to help organizations design innovative structures, identify and unlock creative sources of revenue, lay the groundwork for social investments, and navigate a changing landscape of regulatory and financial risk.”

For more information, visit www.millerthomson.com/socialimpact.   

BLAKES RECOGNIZED
BTI Consulting has named the best law firms at creating and using alternative fee arrangements, and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP has made the cut. There were 22 law firms selected.

“These are the firms — out of the 650 core law firms serving large and Fortune 1000 clients — corporate counsel find are best at making AFAs the successful cost control tool they were intended to be — bringing improved client focus, predictability in budgets, a more streamlined approach to the work, and double-digit savings,” said the “BTI State of Alternative Fee Arrangements” report.

The rankings are based on “in-depth telephone interviews with leading legal decision-makers,” with 322 interviews conducted.

The survey can be accessed at http://www.bticonsulting.com/themadclientist/2016/4/27/the-22-law-firms-best-at-afas.

BLG EXPANDS PRESENCE IN CHINA
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has announced that its Beijing office has moved to the business incubation centre of the Canada China Business Council and the hire of Elaine Chen as business development manager.

“Chinese clients have sought BLG’s expertise in merger and acquisition transactions as they relate to mining and energy projects, public company takeovers, acquisitions of private companies, minority investments in public companies, and joint ventures. Included in these activities is advice on all related due diligence, environmental, aboriginal, tax, foreign investment approval, employment, intellectual property, as well as other legal matters required when doing business in Canada,” according to a firm news release.

LAW TIMES POLL
This week, readers were asked for their opinions about police vehicle stops.

In the recent decision R. v. Harflett, a judge overturned a drug trafficking conviction, saying a vehicle search breached the Charter. Readers were asked if they believed most vehicle searches respected the Charter.

About 29 per cent indicated they feel that, for the most part, vehicle searches are conducted with care and caution, and with a strong legal basis.

However, 71 per cent indicated they do not think for the most part vehicle searches are conducted with care and caution and the results of this negatively impact the Canadian courts system.