Monday, September 26, 2016

DIMOCK STRATTON MERGES WITH DLA PIPER (CANADA)
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP and Dimock Stratton LLP have combined forces.

Starting Nov. 1, lawyers from the intellectual property firm will join DLA Piper’s Toronto office.

“It’s exciting, an exciting opportunity,” says Bruce Stratton, a partner at Dimock Stratton LLP, who will also be a partner in the new merger.

 “The legal market is changing and becoming more of a global market, and for intellectual property, the global aspect is key and we see this as a way of connecting into an incredible global network,” Stratton added.

The Canadian arm of DLA Piper — which has six offices across the country — joined with DLA Piper, which spans more than 30 countries, in April last year.

Roger Meltzer, global co-chairman and co-chairman (Americas) of DLA Piper, hailed the merger with Stratton.

 “This key market continues to generate a wealth of new opportunities, and with intellectual property and technology law standing at the core of so many major business transactions across sectors, this is an important step to boost our competitive edge and execute our growth strategy,” he said in a press release.

Dimock Stratton was founded in 1994 by Ron Dimock and Bruce Stratton.

The firm specializes in intellectual property litigation, as well as the acquisition, licensing and portfolio management of patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Dimock Stratton has 19 lawyers, 16 of which will be joining DLA Piper (Canada) LLP. Two partners and one associate are forming their own firm on Nov. 1, Stratton said.

OSGOODE HALL LAW PROFESSOR HONOURED AS 2016 TRUDEAU FELLOW
Poonam Puri has been named one of five Canadian academics who will receive research fellowships from the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation this year.

The Osgoode Hall law professor will receive $225,000 over three years for a project called Piercing the Corporate Veil.

Through the project, Puri, who is an expert in corporate governance, is set to develop policy and legal solutions to deal with multinational corporations that have caused harm such as human rights or environmental abuses on communities.

ARI KAPLAN TO START NEW MEDIATION FIRM
Toronto lawyer Ari Kaplan is leaving Koskie Minsky LLP at the end of September to launch his own solo practice.

Kaplan, who became Canada’s first Qualified Mediator with recognized expertise in pension law in 2015, will focus his new firm — Mediation Benefits at Kaplan Law — on mediation in the pension and benefits sector.

LAW TIMES POLL
Law Times recently reported that a Law Society of Upper Canada committee has recommended ending the Law Practice Program after it finishes its pilot.

Readers were asked if they agree with this move.

More than 55 per cent said yes, the LPP should be scrapped because it has created a two-tier system. It’s time for it to go.

Almost 44 per cent said no, the LPP program should not be ended and is a much-needed alternative to articling.