Miller Thomson: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 15:49, 30 September 2019 editMonkbot (talk \| contribs)Bots3,695,952 editsm →top: Task 16: replaced (1×) / removed (0×) deprecated \|dead-url= and \|deadurl= with \|url-status=;Tag: AWB ← Previous edit		Revision as of 23:41, 6 November 2019 edit undo70.35.165.92 (talk) updated firm profileTag: Visual edit Next edit →
Line 9:		Line 9:
	\| num_attorneys = 550+		\| num_attorneys = 550+
	\| num_employees = 1200+		\| num_employees = 1200+
	\| key_people = E. Peter Auvinen (Chairman), Mr. Chris Issar (Chief Financial Officer), ~~Orest~~ ~~Szot~~ (Chief Operating Officer)		\| key_people = E. Peter Auvinen (Chairman), Mr. Chris Issar (Chief Financial Officer), Gerald Courage (Acting Chief Operating Officer)
	\| homepage = {{URL\|http://www.millerthomson.com}}		\| homepage = {{URL\|http://www.millerthomson.com}}
	\| logo = Miller Thomson Logo.png		\| logo = Miller Thomson Logo.png
	}}		}}
	]		]
			'''Miller Thomson LLP''' is a full-service national ] established in Toronto, ], Canada in 1957.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/\|title=History\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> The firm provides a complete range of ], ], and personal legal services to Canadian and international ], entrepreneurs, ], ] and not-for-profits.
	'''Miller Thomson LLP''' is a full-service national ] established in Toronto, ], Canada in 1957. The firm enjoys a reputation as one of Canada's leading national business ].<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.lexpert.ca/directory/law-firm-profile/miller-thomson-llp-115/ \| title=Miller Thomson LLP Firm's Profil from L'Expert \|date=2017-10-02 \|website= lexpert.ca }}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-earns-top-rankings-chambers-canada-2018/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BmrgBhaiUSnO7dFPhUZaWjg%3D%3D \| title=Miller Thomson earns top rankings in Chambers Canada 2018 \| date=2017-09-28}}</ref> Miller Thomson focuses on ] and is consistently at the heart of large and complex commercial ] and financial matters on behalf of its clients, regardless of borders.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.fidal.com/espace-presse/communiques/109/fidal-et-miller-thomson-concluent-un-accord-de-partenariat.html \| title=FIDAL et MILLER THOMSON concluent un accord de partenariat \|date=2012-04-25}}</ref> As a leading ] firm, Miller Thomson was credited with more Canadian mid-market ] transactions than any other law firm since 2016.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-leads-bloombergs-canada-mid-market-ma-league-tables/ \| title=Miller Thomson again leads Bloomberg’s Canada mid-market M&A league tables \|date=2017-10-15}}</ref>

	~~The~~ ~~firm~~ ~~provides~~ ~~legal~~ ~~advice~~ to ~~Canadian~~ ~~clients~~ ~~and,~~ ~~through~~ a ~~network~~ of ~~affiliates,~~ ~~serves~~ an ~~international~~ ~~client~~ ~~base.~~ ~~Offices~~ ~~are~~ located in ~~Toronto,~~ Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Vaughan, Markham, and ].		Miller Thomson is currently Canada's seventh largest law firm<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.lexpert.ca/500/canadas-largest-law-firms/\|title=Lexpert Directory - Canada's Largest Law Firms\|website=www.lexpert.ca\|language=en\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> with over 550 lawyers and 12 offices located in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, and ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/about-mt-en/\|title=About us\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>

			Notable firm alumni include former ], The Right Honourable ], P.C., C.C., Q.C.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-people/the-rt-hon-john-n-turner \|title= The Rt. Hon. John N. Turner, P.C., C.C., Q.C. lawyer profile \|date= 2012-01-23 \|url-status= dead \|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120115050556/http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-people/the-rt-hon-john-n-turner \|archivedate= 2012-01-15 }}</ref> (retired Partner)<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds/1328/former-pm-john-turner-retires-from-miller-thomson.html \|title= Former PM John Turner retires from Miller Thomson \|date= 2013-02-22}}</ref> and ] Justice ], who was associate counsel to the firm prior to his appointment.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justice-russell-brown-of-alberta-named-to-supreme-court-1.3170210 \| title=Justice Russell Brown of Alberta named to Supreme Court\| date=2015-07-27}}</ref>
	With close to 550 lawyers, Miller Thomson is currently Canada's seventh largest law firm.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.lexpert.ca/directory/canadas-largest-law-firms/ \|title= Largest law firms in Canada \|date= 2017-10-03 \|website= lexpert.ca }}</ref> Miller Thomson provides a complete range of ], ], and personal legal services to key business markets, including Canadian and international ], entrepreneurs, ], ] and not-for-profits.

			==History<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/\|title=History\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>==
	Among its partners has been former ], The Right Honourable ], P.C., C.C., Q.C.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-people/the-rt-hon-john-n-turner \|title= The Rt. Hon. John N. Turner, P.C., C.C., Q.C. lawyer profile \|date= 2012-01-23 \|url-status= dead \|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120115050556/http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-people/the-rt-hon-john-n-turner \|archivedate= 2012-01-15 }}</ref> (now retired).<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds/1328/former-pm-john-turner-retires-from-miller-thomson.html \|title= Former PM John Turner retires from Miller Thomson \|date= 2013-02-22}}</ref> ] Justice ] was associate counsel to the firm prior to his appointment.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justice-russell-brown-of-alberta-named-to-supreme-court-1.3170210 \| title=Justice Russell Brown of Alberta named to Supreme Court\| date=2015-07-27}}</ref>
			Miller Thomson was founded on Canada's 90th birthday – July 1, 1957 – by six lawyers who decided to leave a large firm and establish their own firm which was then known as Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick. The original partners were J. A. F. Miller, Q.C., J. H. Thomson, Q.C., R. V. Hicks, Q.C., R. M. Sedgewick, C. W. Lewis, and J. Wilfred Healy.

			Today, their namesake has grown and evolved into one of the largest law firms in Canada. Through a series of strategic mergers, the firm has expanded to 12 offices and over 550 lawyers.
	==History==
	Miller Thomson was founded on Canada's 90th birthday – July 1, 1957 – by six lawyers - and known as Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick. The 6 original partners were J. A. F. Miller, Q.C., J. H. Thomson, Q.C., R. V. Hicks, Q.C., R. M. Sedgewick, C. W. Lewis, and J. Wilfred Healy. - decided to leave an established large firm and embark on their own adventure.

			=== 1850s ===
	Almost sixty years later, the firm has grown and evolved into one of the largest legal teams in Canada. Through a series of mergers with other well-respected firms, Miller Thomson has expanded to 12 offices and close to 550 lawyers.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/ \|title= About Miller Thomson \|date= 2017-01-17}}</ref>
			1858 – W.H. Bowlby opens his practice on King Street, in what would become Kitchener-Waterloo (formerly known as Berlin).

	===~~1850s~~ \| ~~The Origins~~===		=== 1870s ===
			1876 – Bowlby joins with Edwin Perry Clement and Frederick Colquhoun.
	The roots of Miller Thomson can be found starting in the 1850s. Miller Thomson is, indeed, based on the mergers of multiples, well-respected Canadian law firms. In 1858 – W.H. Bowlby opens his practice on King Street, in what would become Kitchener-Waterloo (formerly known as Berlin). Afterwards, in 1876, Bowlby joins with Edwin Perry Clement and Frederick Colquhoun. A few years later, in 1895, the ] Balfour Moss opens in Regina. At the same time, in 1898, Robert Lachlan McKinnon begins practicing in Guelph. In, 190, John M. Kearns founds a new firm in ]. Thereafter, in 1906, Kearns moves his firm to Guelph.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/ \|title= About Miller Thomson \|date= 2017-01-17}}</ref>

	===~~1950s~~ \| ~~The Creations~~===		=== 1890s ===
			1895 – Balfour Moss opens in Regina.
	Back in 1950, Two Guelph firms forge a partnership to become the ] Kearns McKinnon. One year later, in 1951, A. Hans Swinton and Douglas E. Andrews open Andrews & Swinton in Vancouver, British Columbia.

			1898 – Robert Lachlan McKinnon begins practicing in Guelph.
	In 1954, Geoffroy Birtz QC and George A. Pouliot open Birtz Pouliot et Associés, the first French Canadian commercial law firm to offer services to the Montréal business community. The firm was one of the first, if not the first, French Canadian law firm to move to the centre of what has become Montréal's downtown business district, establishing itself on Metcalfe in the Sun Life Building.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Lovell Montreal Business Directories 1954-1965}}</ref> Geoffroy Birtz and George Pouliot previously had offices in Old Montreal. Maurice Mercure joined the firm in 1960. In 1965, the firm became known as Pouliot Mercure and operated until it joined Miller Thomson in 2005.

			=== 1900s ===
	In 1957, Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick opens in Toronto, Ontario. In 1981, Miller Thomson creates a new office in Markham, Ontario. The same year, Balfour Moss establishes a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan office. A few years later, in 1987, Cook Duke Cox opens a new office in Calgary.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/ \|title= About Miller Thomson \|date= 2017-01-17}}</ref>
			1902 – John M. Kearns founds a new firm in Arthur, Ontario.

			1906 – Kearns moves his firm to Guelph.
	===1990s \| The Great Expansion & Absorbions===
	In 1990, Kitchener-Waterloo's two oldest law firms — Clement, Eastman, Dreger, Martin and Meunier and Sims, McKinnon, Varey, Griggs and Trafford — merge to create Sims, Clement and Eastman. In, 1992, Miller Thomson mergers with Kingsmill Jennings (Toronto). One year later, the firm mergers with Wheatley MacPherson, another well-respected Canadian law firm based in Toronto. In the late 1990s, the firm absorbs the law firm Cook Duke Cox (from Edmonton and Calgary).<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/ \|title= About Miller Thomson \|date= 2017-01-17}}</ref>

			=== 1950s ===
	===2000s \| The National Expansion and Recognition===
			1950 – Two Guelph firms forge a partnership to become Kearns McKinnon.

			1951 – A. Hans Swinton and Douglas E. Andrews open Andrews & Swinton in Vancouver.
	In 2000, Miller Thomson merges with Sawers, Liswood, Hickman, Bullivant, Dolan, Watts (Toronto) and Swinton & Company (Vancouver and Whitehorse). Then in 2001, the firm merges with Roberts & Baker (Vancouver). In 2002, the firm merges with Sims Clement and Eastman (Kitchener-Waterloo). In 2003, with Kearns McKinnon (Guelph). In 2005, Miller Thomson merges with Pouliot Mercure (Montréal). In 2006, Miller Thomson establishes its London, Ontario office.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/ \|title= About Miller Thomson \|date= 2017-01-17}}</ref>

			1952 – Pouliot Mercure opens in Montréal.
	===2010s \| Recent Mergers & Anniversaries===

			1953 – Cook Duke Cox opens in Edmonton.
	In 2011, the Miller Thomson merges with Balfour Moss (Regina and Saskatoon).<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www2.canada.com/health/miller+thomson+balfour+moss+merger+eyes+saskatchewan/3943111/story.html?id=3943111 \|title= Miller Thomson/Balfour Moss merger eyes Saskatchewan \|date= 2010-12-08}}</ref> In 2017, Miller Thomson opens its 12th office in Vaughan, Ontario.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-firm/history/ \|title= About Miller Thomson \|date= 2017-01-17}}</ref>

			1957 – Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick opens in Toronto.
	==Rankings & Recognition==

			=== 1980s ===
	Miller Thomson LLP attorneys' are always ranked among the Best Lawyers in Canada.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-lawyers-recognized-best-lawyers-canada-2018/ \|title= Miller Thomson lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2018 \|date= 2017-08-01}}</ref> In the just released 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada, 135 Miller Thomson lawyers from across the country have been recognized for their expertise in 43 areas of law.<ref>{{cite news \|url= https://www.bestlawyers.com/ \|title= Best Lawyers Ranking Homepage \|date= 2017-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-lawyers-recognized-best-lawyers-canada-2018/ \|title= Miller Thomson lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2018 \|date= 2017-08-22}}</ref> Moreover, the firm earned a top Band 1 ranking for two practice areas in the 2018 ''Chambers Canada'' Guide.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-earns-top-rankings-chambers-canada-2018/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BmrgBhaiUSnO7dFPhUZaWjg%3D%3D \|title= Miller Thomson earns top rankings in Chambers Canada 2018 \|date= 2017-09-28}}</ref> As well, Miller Thomson is ranked as Band 1 (highest ranking) for Private ] Law – Canada in Chambers High Net Worth Guide.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-receives-top-ranking-chambers-private-wealth-law-canada/ \|title= Miller Thomson receives top ranking by Chambers for Private Wealth Law – Canada \|date= 2017-09-18}}</ref>
			1981 – Miller Thomson creates a new office in Markham, Ontario.

			1981 – Balfour Moss establishes a Saskatoon office.
	The firm also enjoys a strong reputation for his ] expertise. In 2017, Miller Thomson has been named the 2018 "Law Firm of the Year" for expertise in Construction Law.<ref>{{cite news \|url= https://www.bestlawyers.com/firms/miller-thomson-llp/38073/CA \|title= Miller Thomson Firm's Profil \|date= 2017-10-02 \|website= bestlawyers.com }}</ref>

			1987 – Cook Duke Cox opens a new office in Calgary.
	In 2016, ] also identified Miller Thomson as one of only four law firms which advised on 100 or more Canadian M&A transactions. Credited with 101 deals in 2016, the firm ranked 3rd overall, reflecting a jump from 26th position in 2015.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/bloomberg-ranks-miller-thomson-among-busiest-law-firms-canadian-ma-2016/ \|title=Bloomberg ranks Miller Thomson among busiest law firms for Canadian M&A in 2016 \|date=2016-01-01}}</ref> Miller Thomson maintained its position in 2017 in ]’s Canada mid-market M&A league tables as a top Canadian firm for global mid-market deals.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-leads-bloombergs-canada-mid-market-ma-league-tables/ \|title= Thomson again leads Bloomberg’s Canada mid-market M&A league tables \|date= 2017-10-02}}</ref>

			=== 1990s ===
	More recently, Miller Thomson earned top rankings in the ''Chambers Canada'' 2018 edition. The firm earned a top Band 1 ranking for two practice areas in the 2018 Chambers Canada Guide. Its Charities and Not-For-Profit group is regarded for "its novel and innovative approach to complex matters arising within the charitable and non-profit market," and the Agribusiness group – with sole position in Band 1 – is noted for its "ability to deliver a range of sector-specific services to a diverse portfolio of clients." Miller Thomson also ranked as a leading Canadian law firm in ] & ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-earns-top-rankings-chambers-canada-2018/ \| title=Miller Thomson earns top rankings in Chambers Canada 2018 \| date=2017-09-28}}</ref>
			1990 – Kitchener-Waterloo’s two oldest law firms —Clement, Eastman, Dreger, Martin and Meunier and Sims, McKinnon, Varey, Griggs and Trafford — merge to create Sims, Clement and Eastman.

			1992 – Merger with Kingsmill Jennings (Toronto)
	==Innovative & Leading Law Firm==

			1993 – Merger with Wheatley MacPherson (Toronto)
	===Environmentally-Focused Measures===

	In 2008, Miller Thomson set up a National Sustainable Development Committee to improve its sustainability practices, and take environmentally-focused measures such as ] used office and computer equipment, adding bins recycling, the creation of a battery recycling service, the replacement of all plastic bottles with reusable carafes and glasses, the saving of paper, the shutdown of electrical appliances when they are not in use, the promotion of videoconferences to replace business travel; and the preparation of a new protocol for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from air travel from one office to another. Miller Thomson would be one of the first Canadian law firms to benchmark its carbon footprint against ISO 14064, an internationally recognized standard.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.droit-inc.com/article5891-La-fievre-verte-gagnerait-elle-les-cabinets \| title=La fièvre verte gagnerait-elle les cabinets? \| date=2011-06-29}}</ref>
			1999 – Merger with Cook Duke Cox (Edmonton and Calgary)

			=== 2000s ===
			2000 – Merger with Sawers, Liswood, Hickman, Bullivant, Dolan, Watts (Toronto)

			2000 – Merger with Swinton & Company (Vancouver and Whitehorse)

			2001 – Merger with Roberts & Baker (Vancouver)

			2002 – Merger with Sims Clement and Eastman (Kitchener-Waterloo)

			2003 – Merger with Kearns McKinnon (Guelph)

			2005 – Merger with Pouliot Mercure (Montréal)

			2006 – Miller Thomson establishes its London, Ontario office.

			2008 – Miller Thomson celebrates 150 years of history in the Region of Kitchener-Waterloo.

			=== 2010s ===
			2011 – Merger with Balfour Moss (Regina and Saskatoon)

			2013 – Miller Thomson celebrates 115 years of history in the Guelph community.

			2015 – Miller Thomson celebrates 120 years of history in Saskatchewan.

			2017 – Miller Thomson opens its 12th office in Vaughan, Ontario.

			==Rankings & Recognition==

			Miller Thomson LLP lawyers are consistently ranked among the leading practitioners in the country. In the 2020 edition of ''The Best Lawyers in Canada''<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bestlawyers.com/firms/miller-thomson-llp/38073/CA\|title=Miller Thomson LLP - Firm {{!}} Best Lawyers\|website=www.bestlawyers.com\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>, over 130 Miller Thomson lawyers were recognized for their expertise in 47 areas of law, including seven who were awarded “Lawyer of the Year”.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-lawyers-recognized-in-the-best-lawyers-in-canada-2020/\|title=Miller Thomson lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>

			The firm is recognized in the 2020 edition of the highly regarded ''Chambers Canada Guide''<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://chambers.com/law-firm/miller-thomson-llp-canada-20:2784\|title=Miller Thomson LLP, Canada {{!}} Chambers Rankings\|website=chambers.com\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>, earning top Band 1 ranking in Charities/Non-profits and Agribusiness: Agriculture & Food Products and noted as a leading firm in the areas of ], Advertising & Marketing, ], ], ] and Retail.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-ranked-in-chambers-canada-2020/\|title=Miller Thomson ranked in Chambers Canada 2020\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> The firm also ranked Band 1 for Private ] Law – Canada<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/private-client-group-receives-top-ranking-in-chambers-high-net-worth-guide/\|title=Private Client Services Group receives top ranking in Chambers High Net Worth Guide\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> in the latest edition of the ''Chambers High Net Worth Guide'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://chambers.com/department/miller-thomson-llp-private-wealth-law-high-net-worth-21:2633:50:1:2784\|title=Miller Thomson LLP, Private Wealth Law, High Net Worth {{!}} Chambers\|website=chambers.com\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>

			==Innovative & Leading Law Firm==

	===Open Plan Concept Offices===		===Open Plan Concept Offices===
			Miller Thomson’s Vancouver office relocated to a hybrid ] concept office space in 2016<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.collierscanada.com/en-CA/News/great-spaces-miller-thomson\|title=Colliers International {{!}} Legal Move: A Different Kind of Law Firm\|website=www.collierscanada.com\|language=en-CA\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>, located above the Nordstrom department store in the redeveloped Pacific Centre building.
	As a leading and innovative law firm, the Vancouver's Office has relocated its branch to a new, ] concept office space above the Nordstrom department store in the redeveloped Pacific Centre building.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.collierscanada.com/news/2017/great-spaces-miller-thomson#.WfWGshN-rMW \| title=Legal Move: How a Space Makes for a Different Kind of Law Firm \| date=2017-06-09}}</ref> "For law firms such as Miller Thomson, gone are the days of broad oak desks hunkered in massive corner office suites guarded by receptionists. Instead, firms are opting for open spaces that promote technology, interaction and mobility", said Mike Walker, Miller Thomson's managing director for B.C.<ref>{{cite news \|url= https://renx.ca/miller-thomson-vancouver-branch-breaks-law-office-model \|title= Miller Thomson Vancouver office breaks law firm model \|date= 2017-06-15 \|website= renx.ca }}</ref> Miller Thomson's vision led the team back to one of the buildings they had originally viewed with Scarlett and Jordan a year prior: 725 Granville, a Cadillac Fairview Corporation redevelopment, then known as the future Canadian flagship location of upscale retailer Nordstrom. Signing on as the building's first office tenant, the firm seized the "uncommon opportunity" to house its entire workforce on a single 48,000-square-foot floor – the 4th floor, to be exact – in a building on Georgia and Granville, ideally situated above two rapid transit lines in the heart of downtown Vancouver, blocks from the financial district where law firms typically locate.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.collierscanada.com/news/2017/great-spaces-miller-thomson#.WfWGshN-rMW \| title=Legal Move: How a Space Makes for a Different Kind of Law Firm \| date=2017-06-09}}</ref>
	The multi-million dollar, 48,000 square foot center launched publicly on May 30 but has been in operation for eight weeks now. The firm's entire Vancouver office now operates out of the centre, but had kept the move quiet until they were up and running and had "the bugs ironed out," says Mike Walker, Miller Thomson's managing partner for B.C.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds/author/mallory-hendry/miller-thomsons-legal-knowledge-centre-opens-in-vancouver-7478/ \| title=Miller Thomson’s legal knowledge centre opens in Vancouver \| date=2017-06-09}}</ref>

	Miller Thomson sought to have space reflect what the firm stands for and what sets it apart from the competition. "We see ourselves as part of the community and we take energy from collaborating with clients and from their resulting success. So our office had to cater to our clients," Walker ~~explained~~. "We also wanted to be more prominent in the legal market itself with space that would get the competition talking about us and pique the interest of great lawyers at other firms with a similar perspective, energy and entrepreneurial spirit."<ref>{{~~cite news~~ \| url=http://www.collierscanada.com/~~news~~/~~2017~~/great-spaces-miller-thomson~~#.WfWGshN-rMW~~ \| title=Legal Move: ~~How a Space Makes for a~~ Different Kind of Law Firm \| date=~~2017~~-06-09}}</ref>		Miller Thomson sought to have space reflect what the firm stands for and what sets it apart from the competition. "We see ourselves as part of the community and we take energy from collaborating with clients and from their resulting success. So our office had to cater to our clients," said Mike Walker, Office Managing Partner for Vancouver at the time of the move. "We also wanted to be more prominent in the legal market itself with space that would get the competition talking about us and pique the interest of great lawyers at other firms with a similar perspective, energy and entrepreneurial spirit."<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.collierscanada.com/en-CA/News/great-spaces-miller-thomson\|title=Colliers International {{!}} Legal Move: A Different Kind of Law Firm\|website=www.collierscanada.com\|language=en-CA\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>

			The firm’s newest location in Vaughan, which opened in the summer of 2017, has followed with a similar open-concept workspace.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/general/opening-our-offices-the-rise-of-open-concept/274795\|title=Opening our offices: The rise of open concept\|website=www.canadianlawyermag.com\|language=en\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
	This move would essentially change the way Miller Thomson's professionals work and serve clients, and make way for a workspace design never before seen in the North American legal industry.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.collierscanada.com/news/2017/great-spaces-miller-thomson#.WfWGshN-rMW \| title=Legal Move: How a Space Makes for a Different Kind of Law Firm \| date=2017-06-09}}</ref>

			==Areas of Practice<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-services/\|title=Expertise\|website=Miller Thomson LLP\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>==
	==Areas of Practice==
	With 12 offices across the country, Miller Thomson ~~is ideally positioned~~ to be ~~one~~ of ~~Canada's~~ ~~leading~~ business ~~law~~ ~~firm~~. The firm ~~has~~ a complete range of business law, advocacy, and personal legal services ~~are available~~ in ~~both~~ English and French ~~including~~ :		With 12 offices across the country, Miller Thomson built to provide the most comprehensive Canadian business and legal help. The firm provides a complete range of business law, advocacy, and personal legal services in English and French:

	===List of Areas of Practice===		===List of Areas of Practice===

	{{div col}}		{{div col}}
			==== '''Services''' ====
	* ]

	* ] & Lending
			* Administrative & Public Law
	* ], ] & Restructuring
			* Anti-Spam (CASL)
	* ]
			* Arbitration & Mediation
	* ] & Foreign Investment
			* Capital Markets & Securities
	* ]
			* Charities & Not-for-Profit
	* ] & ]
			* Class Actions
	* Corporate Governance / Directors & Officers
			* Commercial Debt Recovery
	* Emissions Trading & ]
			* Commercial Litigation
	* ] & Labour
			* Competition / Antitrust
	* ]
			* Condominium & Strata
	* ]
			* Construction Litigation
	* Executive Compensation
			* Corporate
	* ]
			* Corporate Governance
	* Financial Services Regulatory
			* Corporate Tax
	* Forestry & Forest Products
			* Environmental Law
	* ] Relations
			* Estates and Trusts Litigation
			* Family Law
			* Financial Services
			* Human Rights
			* Immigration
			* Information Technology
			* Insurance Defence
			* Intellectual Property
			* International Trade & Customs
			* Labour & Employment
			* Marketing, Advertising & Product Compliance
			* Mergers & Acquisitions
			* Municipal, Planning & Land Development
			* Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation
			* Personal Injury
			* Privacy & Information Protection
			* Private Client Services
			* Private Equity
			* Procurement
			* Restructuring & Insolvency
			* Sales, Commodity & Indirect Tax
			* Securities Litigation
			* Shareholder Disputes
			* Structured Finance & Securitization
			* Tax Disputes Resolution
			* Transactions & Leasing
			* Workplace Health & Safety

			'''Industries'''

			* Aboriginal
			* Agribusiness & Food Production
			* Automotive
			* Banking
			* Cannabis
			* Construction and Infrastructure
			* Education
			* Energy & Natural Resources
			* Entertainment & Media
			* Franchising & Distribution
			* Health
	* Hospitality		* Hospitality
			* Insurance & Risk Management
	* ]
			* Life Sciences
	* ]
			* Projects
	* International Private Client & ] Policy
			* Retail
	* International Trade
			* Social Impact
	* Insurance & Reinsurance
			* Sports
	* Investment Funds
			* Transportation & Logistics
	* Life Sciences & Healthcare
	* ] / Class Actions
	* ] & ]
	* Maritime, ] and ]
	* ], ] & ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* Outsourcing
	* ] & Benefits
	* Plan Nord
	* ] & ]
	* ] & ]
	* Project Development & Finance
	* ] & Municipal
	* REITs
	* ]
	* Structured Finance & Financial Products
	* ]
	* ]
	* ] Crimes & Regulatory Crisis Response
	{{div col end}}

			'''Focus Areas'''
	===European Law Practice & Partnership===
	Miller Thomson also developed a strong European law practice. More specifically over French M&A market. Since 2012, Business law firms ] and Miller Thomson, leaders in France and in Canada, respectively, who share common values and strategic vision, enter into a partnership agreement, concretizing a "best friends" relationship initiated in 2010. With this alliance, ], is consolidating its legal and tax services offering in North America.<ref>{{cite news \|url= http://www.fidal.com/espace-presse/communiques/109/fidal-et-miller-thomson-concluent-un-accord-de-partenariat.html \| title=FIDAL et MILLER THOMSON concluent un accord de partenariat \|date=2012-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url= https://www.lesechos.fr/30/04/2012/LesEchos/21176-112-ECH_accord-de-partenariat-entre-fidal-et-miller-thomson.htm \| title=Accord de partenariat entre Fidal et Miller Thomson \|date=2012-04-25}}</ref>

			* Anti-Corruption & International Governance
	==Social Responsibility==
			* Artificial Intelligence
			* Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Smart Contracts
			* Corporate Fraud Asset Recovery
			* Cybersecurity
			* Emerging Business
			* FinTech
			* Investing in Canada
			* Lloyd's of London and International Insurance
			* MTech®
			* Private Enterprise
			* Professional Mediation
			* Regulated Professionals
			{{div col end}}

			==Strategic Affiliations==
	===Pro Bono Practice===
			Miller Thomson is a member of Multilaw, a global legal network with 90 member firms in more than 100 countries.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.multilaw.com/Multilaw/Member_Listing/Firm_Profile.aspx?ID=2152\|title=Firm Profile - Multilaw Contact Partners - Home Country Offices\|website=www.multilaw.com\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
	Miller Thomson's Social Impact Group is the largest national team of legal experts in Canada dedicated to helping charities, non-profit organizations and social enterprises meet their legal needs and accelerate their social impact.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-services/industries/social-impact/ \| title=Miller Thomson’s Social Impact \| date=2017-10-19}}</ref> Many clients from philanthropic foundations to active charities to member-based associations depend on Miller Thomson's expertise to deliver strategies that propel them ahead of changing regulations, effectively address general legal issues, and design innovative structures that unlock sustainable new sources of revenue. The ''Social Impact Group'' offers unmatched experience and expertise in Canada's voluntary sector and beyond.<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/our-services/industries/social-impact/ \| title=Miller Thomson’s Social Impact \| date=2017-10-19}}</ref>

			In 2012, Miller Thomson entered an affiliation agreement with leading French business law firm FIDAL, solidifying a “best friends” relationship first initiated two years prior.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/miller-thomson-llp-signs-affiliation-agreement-with-french-business-law-firm-fidal-510090021.html\|title=Miller Thomson LLP signs affiliation agreement with French business law firm FIDAL\|website=www.newswire.ca\|language=en\|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
	In 2018, Miller Thomson earned a top Band 1 ranking in ''Chambers Canada'' of its 2018 edition for ''Charities and Not-For-Profit'' group. According to ''Chambers Canada'', the group is regarded for "its novel and innovative approach to complex matters arising within the charitable and non-profit market".<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/news/miller-thomson-earns-top-rankings-chambers-canada-2018/ \| title=Miller Thomson earns top rankings in Chambers Canada 2018 \| date=2017-09-28}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Revision as of 23:41, 6 November 2019

Miller Thomson LLP

Headquarters	Scotia Plaza Toronto, Ontario, Canada
No. of offices	12
Offices	Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto, Vaughan, Markham and Montreal
No. of attorneys	550+
No. of employees	1200+
Major practice areas	Corporate/Commercial, Commercial Real Estate, Condominium, Patents & Trademarks, Immigration, Health, Labour and Employment, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Family Law, Oil and Gas, Private Client Services, Charities and Not-for-Profit, and Mergers and Acquisitions
Key people	E. Peter Auvinen (Chairman), Mr. Chris Issar (Chief Financial Officer), Gerald Courage (Acting Chief Operating Officer)
Date founded	1957
Company type	Limited liability partnership
Website	www.millerthomson.com

Miller Thomson LLP is a full-service national law firm established in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1957. The firm provides a complete range of business law, advocacy, and personal legal services to Canadian and international corporations, entrepreneurs, institutions, governments and not-for-profits.

Miller Thomson is currently Canada's seventh largest law firm with over 550 lawyers and 12 offices located in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, and Montréal.

Notable firm alumni include former Canadian Prime Minister, The Right Honourable John Turner, P.C., C.C., Q.C. (retired Partner) and Supreme Court of Canada Justice Russell Brown, who was associate counsel to the firm prior to his appointment.

History

Miller Thomson was founded on Canada's 90th birthday – July 1, 1957 – by six lawyers who decided to leave a large firm and establish their own firm which was then known as Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick. The original partners were J. A. F. Miller, Q.C., J. H. Thomson, Q.C., R. V. Hicks, Q.C., R. M. Sedgewick, C. W. Lewis, and J. Wilfred Healy.

Today, their namesake has grown and evolved into one of the largest law firms in Canada. Through a series of strategic mergers, the firm has expanded to 12 offices and over 550 lawyers.

1850s

1858 – W.H. Bowlby opens his practice on King Street, in what would become Kitchener-Waterloo (formerly known as Berlin).

1870s

1876 – Bowlby joins with Edwin Perry Clement and Frederick Colquhoun.

1890s

1895 – Balfour Moss opens in Regina.

1898 – Robert Lachlan McKinnon begins practicing in Guelph.

1900s

1902 – John M. Kearns founds a new firm in Arthur, Ontario.

1906 – Kearns moves his firm to Guelph.

1950s

1950 – Two Guelph firms forge a partnership to become Kearns McKinnon.

1951 – A. Hans Swinton and Douglas E. Andrews open Andrews & Swinton in Vancouver.

1952 – Pouliot Mercure opens in Montréal.

1953 – Cook Duke Cox opens in Edmonton.

1957 – Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick opens in Toronto.

1980s

1981 – Miller Thomson creates a new office in Markham, Ontario.

1981 – Balfour Moss establishes a Saskatoon office.

1987 – Cook Duke Cox opens a new office in Calgary.

1990s

1990 – Kitchener-Waterloo’s two oldest law firms —Clement, Eastman, Dreger, Martin and Meunier and Sims, McKinnon, Varey, Griggs and Trafford — merge to create Sims, Clement and Eastman.

1992 – Merger with Kingsmill Jennings (Toronto)

1993 – Merger with Wheatley MacPherson (Toronto)

1999 – Merger with Cook Duke Cox (Edmonton and Calgary)

2000s

2000 – Merger with Sawers, Liswood, Hickman, Bullivant, Dolan, Watts (Toronto)

2000 – Merger with Swinton & Company (Vancouver and Whitehorse)

2001 – Merger with Roberts & Baker (Vancouver)

2002 – Merger with Sims Clement and Eastman (Kitchener-Waterloo)

2003 – Merger with Kearns McKinnon (Guelph)

2005 – Merger with Pouliot Mercure (Montréal)

2006 – Miller Thomson establishes its London, Ontario office.

2008 – Miller Thomson celebrates 150 years of history in the Region of Kitchener-Waterloo.

2010s

2011 – Merger with Balfour Moss (Regina and Saskatoon)

2013 – Miller Thomson celebrates 115 years of history in the Guelph community.

2015 – Miller Thomson celebrates 120 years of history in Saskatchewan.

2017 – Miller Thomson opens its 12th office in Vaughan, Ontario.

Rankings & Recognition

Miller Thomson LLP lawyers are consistently ranked among the leading practitioners in the country. In the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada, over 130 Miller Thomson lawyers were recognized for their expertise in 47 areas of law, including seven who were awarded “Lawyer of the Year”.

The firm is recognized in the 2020 edition of the highly regarded Chambers Canada Guide, earning top Band 1 ranking in Charities/Non-profits and Agribusiness: Agriculture & Food Products and noted as a leading firm in the areas of Aboriginal Law, Advertising & Marketing, Construction, Employment & Labour, Environment and Retail. The firm also ranked Band 1 for Private Wealth Management Law – Canada in the latest edition of the Chambers High Net Worth Guide (2019).

Innovative & Leading Law Firm

Open Plan Concept Offices

Miller Thomson’s Vancouver office relocated to a hybrid open plan concept office space in 2016, located above the Nordstrom department store in the redeveloped Pacific Centre building.

Miller Thomson sought to have space reflect what the firm stands for and what sets it apart from the competition. "We see ourselves as part of the community and we take energy from collaborating with clients and from their resulting success. So our office had to cater to our clients," said Mike Walker, Office Managing Partner for Vancouver at the time of the move. "We also wanted to be more prominent in the legal market itself with space that would get the competition talking about us and pique the interest of great lawyers at other firms with a similar perspective, energy and entrepreneurial spirit."

The firm’s newest location in Vaughan, which opened in the summer of 2017, has followed with a similar open-concept workspace.

Areas of Practice

With 12 offices across the country, Miller Thomson built to provide the most comprehensive Canadian business and legal help. The firm provides a complete range of business law, advocacy, and personal legal services in English and French:

List of Areas of Practice

Services

Administrative & Public Law
Anti-Spam (CASL)
Arbitration & Mediation
Capital Markets & Securities
Charities & Not-for-Profit
Class Actions
Commercial Debt Recovery
Commercial Litigation
Competition / Antitrust
Condominium & Strata
Construction Litigation
Corporate
Corporate Governance
Corporate Tax
Environmental Law
Estates and Trusts Litigation
Family Law
Financial Services
Human Rights
Immigration
Information Technology
Insurance Defence
Intellectual Property
International Trade & Customs
Labour & Employment
Marketing, Advertising & Product Compliance
Mergers & Acquisitions
Municipal, Planning & Land Development
Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation
Personal Injury
Privacy & Information Protection
Private Client Services
Private Equity
Procurement
Restructuring & Insolvency
Sales, Commodity & Indirect Tax
Securities Litigation
Shareholder Disputes
Structured Finance & Securitization
Tax Disputes Resolution
Transactions & Leasing
Workplace Health & Safety

Industries

Aboriginal
Agribusiness & Food Production
Automotive
Banking
Cannabis
Construction and Infrastructure
Education
Energy & Natural Resources
Entertainment & Media
Franchising & Distribution
Health
Hospitality
Insurance & Risk Management
Life Sciences
Projects
Retail
Social Impact
Sports
Transportation & Logistics

Focus Areas

Anti-Corruption & International Governance
Artificial Intelligence
Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Smart Contracts
Corporate Fraud Asset Recovery
Cybersecurity
Emerging Business
FinTech
Investing in Canada
Lloyd's of London and International Insurance
MTech®
Private Enterprise
Professional Mediation
Regulated Professionals

Strategic Affiliations

Miller Thomson is a member of Multilaw, a global legal network with 90 member firms in more than 100 countries.

In 2012, Miller Thomson entered an affiliation agreement with leading French business law firm FIDAL, solidifying a “best friends” relationship first initiated two years prior.

References

"History". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Lexpert Directory - Canada's Largest Law Firms". www.lexpert.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"About us". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"The Rt. Hon. John N. Turner, P.C., C.C., Q.C. lawyer profile". 2012-01-23. Archived from the original on 2012-01-15.
"Former PM John Turner retires from Miller Thomson". 2013-02-22.
"Justice Russell Brown of Alberta named to Supreme Court". 2015-07-27.
"History". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Miller Thomson LLP - Firm | Best Lawyers". www.bestlawyers.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Miller Thomson lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Miller Thomson LLP, Canada | Chambers Rankings". chambers.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Miller Thomson ranked in Chambers Canada 2020". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Private Client Services Group receives top ranking in Chambers High Net Worth Guide". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Miller Thomson LLP, Private Wealth Law, High Net Worth | Chambers". chambers.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Colliers International | Legal Move: A Different Kind of Law Firm". www.collierscanada.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Colliers International | Legal Move: A Different Kind of Law Firm". www.collierscanada.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Opening our offices: The rise of open concept". www.canadianlawyermag.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Expertise". Miller Thomson LLP. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Firm Profile - Multilaw Contact Partners - Home Country Offices". www.multilaw.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
"Miller Thomson LLP signs affiliation agreement with French business law firm FIDAL". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-06.

External links

Categories: