RESEARCH PROJECT SEEKS LAW FIRM Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management is looking to partner with a local law firm to learn more about how it uses mobile technology and its effect on work-life balance.
The research team is seeking a firm whose lawyers are currently using BlackBerrys, iPhones or other smartphones for business purposes.
In return for participating in the study, the team will partner with the firm to develop policy for productive mobile technology use.
The participating firm can use this policy to attract and retain talent, better manage lawyers’ billable time, and be better equipped for the mobile revolution.
Sam Ladner, a post-doctoral fellow and private-sector consultant, is managing the research. The study entails social scientists visiting the firm, observing everyday technology use, and interviewing key members of the team.
Firms that are interested in participating can contact Ladner at
[email protected].
FASKENS MAKES U.K. LISTLegal Business magazine has included Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP on its list of the 50 largest overseas firms in London, England.
Faskens, the only Canadian firm to make the list, ranked 23rd. The firm has 56 fee earners in London, up 15 per cent from last year. That total includes 30 partners.
NEW PRESIDENT OF FACLThe Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers has elected Julia Shin Doi as its next president.
Shin Doi, counsel to York University and an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, says membership expansion is one of her top priorities. As well, she plans to work with community groups to encourage diversity and build strong relationships with legal organizations.
“We are committed to seeing our membership flourish,” she said. “We will continue to reach out to other organizations to raise the profile of Asian Canadians in the legal profession and community.”
Shin Doi takes over from Jason Leung, director of knowledge management at Ridout & Maybee LLP.
ROCKWELL JOINS DIVERSITY PLEDGERockwell Automation Inc. has become the latest signatory to the mission statement of A Call to Action Canada.
Rockwell, the world’s largest company working in industrial automation and information, helps customers from a range of industries to become more sustainable.
The firm is headquartered in Milwaukee and works in 80 countries.
A Call to Action Canada promotes diversity and inclusion in the legal profession by insisting that outside law firms demonstrate a true commitment to the full participation and advancement of women and minority lawyers or risk having their retainers terminated.
Signatories seek opportunities to direct work to firms controlled by women or minorities.
The group’s third annual conference is taking place in Toronto on May 17 at the Sheraton Centre.
CASSELS BROCK LAUNCHES WEB PORTALCassels Brock & Blackwell LLP has launched a web portal for corporate counsel.
The Corporate Counsel Bulletin Board is “a one-stop compilation” of educational resources, according to the firm.
The web site,
ccbb.casselsbrock.com, contains searchable archived seminar presentation materials, newsletter articles, practice management tips, and other reference materials for in-house lawyers.
BOUTIQUE FOLDS INTO MCCARTHYSA year after leaving Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP to start their own energy law boutique, the five founders of Venn Law LLP have joined forces with McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Calgary.
Ron Mar, Craig Spurn, Edmund Gill, and Kurtis Bond are joining the firm as partners along with associate Chris McLelland.
“With these lawyers on our team, we can provide even better service to our growing domestic and international oil and gas practice,” said Greg Turnbull, McCarthys’ regional managing partner in Calgary.
“When combined with our existing tax team, we now offer clients the strongest full-service tax practice in Western Canada.”
Mar advises domestic and international clients on energy ventures and is a governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation.
Gill’s tax practice focuses on commercial transactions and planning. He has worked for multinational clients as well as senior, intermediate, and junior oil and gas companies.
Bond focuses on the Canadian resource sector and commercial transactions, including structured and cross-border financings. All three will work with the firm’s tax group.
Spurn, who practises corporate and commercial law in the energy sector, joins McCarthys’ oil and gas group. McLelland, meanwhile, is part of the firm’s business law group.
