(February 29) – A huge law firm merger was announced today, bring five firms together to create a large, national Canadian player.

Borden & Elliot of Toronto is joining with Calgary’s Howard, Mackie, Scott & Aylen in Ottawa, Montreal’s McMaster Gervais, and Ladner Downs of Vancouver to create Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.

The new firm will have 1,600 employees, including 590 lawyers. “The creation of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP responds to our clients’ needs for a consistently high level of expertise and service excellence across Canada,” said Sean Weir, managing partner of the new firm. “We are committed to be Canada’s pre-eminent law firm, and the ultimate business partner for our clients.”

David Scott, based in Ottawa, and Doug Mitchell, based in Calgary, are the firm’s co-chairs. Along with a national council drawn from all five offices, they will oversee vision, strategic growth, policy development and finance for the new firm.

“Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is a union of equal partners,” said Ken Bagshaw, chair of the council based in Vancouver. “There will be no head office. Instead, we offer five superior offices, each with significant profile, reputation, expertise and size in their respective communities, and the collective expertise and service of a truly national firm.”
– IE Staff