From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Aird & Berlis LLP - A&B for short, is a major full-service Canadian law firm. It is located in the Bay Street business district of Toronto.
[edit] Practice Areas
- The firm provides a wide range of legal services. Main areas include Corporate/Commercial, Corporate Finance, Financial Services, Litigation, Municipal and Land Use Planning, Real Estate, and Tax.
- Industry teams include Energy, Environmental, Gaming, Infrastructure, Technology and Transportation, among others.
[edit] History
- Aird & Berlis is the product of the 1974 union of Zimmerman Grant Hugo Paddon Worley & Bennett, founded in 1919, and Edison Aird & Berlis, founded in 1953. Today, Aird & Berlis enjoys a strong reputation as a leading corporate finance and real estate and development law firm. Toronto Mayor David Miller once practiced law with the firm, specializing in employment and immigration law and shareholder rights. While Aird & Berlis once had an Ottawa office and an association with a Vancouver firm, it is now content to maintain a single Toronto office, says managing partner Eldon Bennett. Bennett says the firm's size leaves it well-positioned to cope with a consolidating Canadian business world that is placing downward pressure on the domestic legal services market. "We're on the opposite side of lots of sides of deals with larger (law) firms," he says. "The way they man the deal is so much more expensive than the way we do the deal." [1]
[edit] Notable members and alumni
- David Miller (Canadian politician) - Current Mayor of Toronto [2]
- John Black Aird - Ontario's 23rd Lieutenant Governor [3]
- Barbara McDougall
- Board of Directors, Scotiabank [4]
- Minister, Canadian Parliament [5]
- Minister Secretary of State for External Affairs (1991.04.21 - 1993.06.24)
- Minister of Employment and Immigration (1988.03.31 - 1991.04.20)
- Minister responsible for the Status of Women (1986.06.30 - 1990.02.22)
- Secretary of State / Minister of State Minister of State (Youth) (Acting) (1990.01.24 - 1990.02.22)
- Minister of State (Privatization) (1986.06.30 - 1988.03.30)
- Minister of State (Finance) (1984.09.17 - 1986.06.29)
[edit] Recognition
The firm has various lawyers represented in:
- Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business [6]
- Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory [7]
- Who’s Who Legal: The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers [8]
- Ranked #5 in Canadian Lawyer Magazine's 2006 Canada Law Firm rankings [9]
- Ranked #1 in Planning and Development Law[10]
- The Best Lawyers in Canada 2006 (The National Post) [11]
- Jack Bernstein – Trusts and Estates
- Frederick D. Cass – Energy Regulatory Law
- Joanne C. Coldwell – Transportation Law
- Robert G. Doumani – Real Estate Law
- Harry M. Fogul – Insolvency and Financial Restructuring
- Leo F. Longo – Real Estate Law
- N. Jane Pepino – Real Estate Law
- Howard W. Winkler – Defamation and Media Law
- Steven A. Zakem – Real Estate Law
[edit] Affiliations
- Aird & Berlis LLP is the Toronto law firm representative of Interlaw, an international association of independent law firms. Interlaw’s members work together on a worldwide basis to provide quality, cost effective, value-added legal and business solutions.
[edit] Pro Bono & Community Service
- Sponsored speed skater and Olympic gold medalist Clara Hughes during the 2005-2006 competitive season. [12]
- Lawyer Nick Torchetti awarded the "Heart and Hand" award for embodying the true spirit of volunteerism, Villa Charities. [13]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Central Canada Law Firm Rankings, Sept. 11, 2006
- ^ List of mayors of Toronto - Wikipedia.
- ^ Federal Political Experience - AIRD, John Black.
- ^ Scotiabank - The Honourable Barbara J. McDougall, O.C..
- ^ Federal Political Experiences, Canadian Parlimentary Website.
- ^ Chambers and Partners: Chamers Global Guide Profile
- ^ Martindale.com Law Firm Overview
- ^ Who's Who Legal
- ^ Central Canada Law Firm Rankings, Sept. 11, 2006
- ^ Novae Res Urbus
- ^ Best Lawyers in Canada / The National Post, Oct., 2006
- ^ Double Olympic Bronze Medallist, Clara Hughes, Signs Sponsorship Agreement With Aird & Berlis LLP, Jan 22nd, 2006
- ^ Villa Charities Heart and Hand Award, 2006, June 21st, 2006
[edit] See also
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