Gowlings

Infobox Company
company_name = Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
company_type = Limited Liability Partnership (Private)
foundation = 1887
location = Toronto and Ottawa
industry = Law Firm
products = Legal advice
homepage = [http://gowlings.com http://www.gowlings.com]

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Gowlings, is Canada's largest full-service law firm, with over 700 professionals practising in 10 cities in Canada, Russia and the United Kingdom. [ cite web|url=http://www.lexpert.ca/directory/files/1-Canada-Top30Firms.pdf |title=The 30 Largest Law Firms in Canada |accessdate=2008-02-04 |date=2007 |format=PDF |work=Lexpert Magazine Gowlings holds the top position, with 704 lawyers cited, while Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is listed as the second largest Canadian firm, with 703 lawyers. ]

Gowlings' current Chair and Chief Executive Officer is R. Scott Jolliffe.

History

Gowlings traces its origins to the firm Henderson & McVeity, which was founded in Ottawa in 1887. [ cite web|url=http://www.gowlings.com/dbic/contents.asp |title=Establishing a Business in Canada. Backgrounder |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2004 |work=Gowlings bulletin |publisher=Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP ] [The predecessor firm of Henderson & McVeity was MacTavish and MacCracken, founded in 1877. George F. Henderson and MacCracken became partners in 1889. [Citation needed.] ] As the firm grew over the next century, its name passed through numerous permutations, but three figures remained dominant: Gordon Gowling, George and Gordon Henderson. [ cite journal|title=Can He Pull It Off? The Gowlings Gamble|journal=Lexpert Magazine (May 2001)|date=2001-05|first=Julius|last=Melnitzer|coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=72|id= |url=|format=|accessdate=] In the 1980s, the firm expanded beyond its traditional Ottawa base, establishing offices in Toronto, Kitchener, and Moscow. Starting in the mid-1990s, Gowlings methodically solidified a national platform through a succession of mergers with other law firms in Vancouver, Hamilton, Calgary, Montréal, Toronto and Kanata [ cite journal|title=Gowlings cements giant merger|journal=The Globe and Mail|first=Gordon|last=Pitts|coauthors=|volume=|issue= July 5, 2001|pages=Canadian Business|id= |url=|format=|accessdate=] . In order to avoid certain complications created by the mergers, the firm officially adopted the simple brand name, "Gowlings" (which had long been in informal use). [ cite journal|title=By Any Other Name|journal=Canadian Lawyer|first=Ann|last=Macaulay|coauthors=|volume=|issue=November/ December 2000|pages=12|id= |url=|format=|accessdate=]

Practice areas

Proximity to government accounts for the diversity [cite news | first=Jim | last=Midddlemiss | coauthors= | title=Law Firms Raise the Bar | date=2006-11-01 | url =http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=5411deed-7fd6-44e1-9ae0-79b488a7d8aa | work =National Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-08 | language = ] and non-transactional bias of Gowlings' legal specialties. While the practices of the so-called Seven Sisters firms are weighted predominantly towards Business law, [ cite journal|title=The Seven Sisters|journal=Lexpert Magazine|date=2003-01|first=John Alexander|last=Black|coauthors=|volume=|issue= January 2003|pages=76–77] this is only one of the three pillars [ cite journal|title=Can He Pull It Off? The Gowlings Gamble|journal=Lexpert Magazine (May 2001)|date=2001-05|first=Julius|last=Melnitzer|coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=76|id= |url=|format=|accessdate=] (and an area in which the firm is planning growth) [ cite web|url=http://www.lexpert.ca/directory/lb.php?id=84 |title=Corporate Work |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2006-01. Gowlings is cited as being "determined to break into the top tier" of corporate players. However, it should be noted that the firm does not qualify for inclusion in Lexpert's chart which rates the major business law firms in the important Toronto market, nor in Vancouver; while Gowlings is placed merely on the periphery of the Montreal and Calgary rankings. (See charts # 1, 3, 5 and 6. |work=The 2006 Who's Who in Canadian Law Firms |publisher=Lexpert Magazine ] which constitute the core of Gowlings' practice. The other two are Advocacy and Intellectual Property law. Indeed, Gowlings' professionals have held an historic pre-eminence in the latter. [ cite web|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/global/personcomment.aspx?pid=34&aid=53968&fid=3779&cid=19&solbar=1 |title=The Chambers Global Guide. Canada. Intellectual Property |accessdate=2007-02-04 |work=Chambers & Partners ] Other notable strengths include technology, international trade, environmental, energy, financial services, government relations and administrative law. [ cite web|url=http://www.lexpert.ca/directory/firm.php?id=26 |title=Gowlings (profile) |accessdate=2007-02-05 |work=Lexpert Directory |publisher=Lexpert Magazine ] [ cite web|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/global/FirmProfile.aspx?fid=3771 |title=Gowlings. Firm Overview |accessdate=2007-02-07 |last=Boxall (Managing editor) |first=Fiona |work=The Chambers Global Guide |publisher=Chambers & Partners, London, 2006. Page 431 ]

The firm's various practices are broadly organized into eight Industry Groups: Energy; Financial Services; Government; Infrastructure; Life Sciences; Manufacturing and Distribution; Mining; and Technology. Particular practice areas in which the firm's professionals give advice comprehend:

• Aboriginal Law
• Administrative and Public Law
• Advertising and Marketing Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Antitrust/Competition Law
• Banking Litigation
• Business Law
• Charities and Not-for-Profit Law
• Civil Fraud
• Class Actions
• Commercial Litigation
• Constructional Law
• Copyright Law
• Corporate Finance, Securities and Public M&A
• Corporate Governance
• Cross-Border Law (U.S., China, Israel and India)
• Defamation and Media Law
• Employment and Labour Law
• Entertainment Law
• Environmental Law
• Financial Regulatory Law
• Financial Services
• Franchise and Distribution Law
• Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
• Government Services
• Immigration Law
• Insurance and Professional Liability
• International Trade and Customs
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Natural Resources
• Patent Prosecution
• Privacy and Information Management
• Private Equity and Venture Capital
• Public Procurement
• Real Estate and Urban Development
• Recovery Services
• Restructuring and Insolvency
• Supreme Court of Canada
• Tax Law
• Trade marks
• Transfer Pricing
• Transportation Law

Gowlings Milestones

1970 - The Firm assumes the name Gowlingand Henderson (after founders GordonGowling and Gordon F. Henderson)in Ottawa
1980 - Gowling and Henderson open aToronto office
1986 - Gowlings merges with Simmers,Harper and Jenkins in Waterloo
1987 - Gowlings celebrates 100 years
1989 - Gowlings merges with the Toronto firmStrathy, Archibald Seagram to formGowling, Strathy & Henderson
1992 - Gowlings opens an office in Moscow serving Russia, the CIS and the Baltic states
1994 - Gowlings opens an office in Vancouver
1995 - Gowlings opens its Hamilton office
2000 - Gowlings arrives in Calgary, mergingwith Code Hunter.
2000 - Gowlings merges with Lafleur Brown ofMontréal, and Vancouver’s MontpellierMcKeen VarabioffTalbot and Giuffre tobecome Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.
2001 - Gowlings merges with Calgary-basedBallem MacInnes LLP
2001 - Gowlings merges with Smith LyonsLLP, enhancing IP and business lawcapabilities, and positioning Gowlingsas the second largest law firm in Canada
2006 - Gowlings opens an office in Kanata
2008 - Gowlings establishes new corporate governance model with an Executive Committee and Board of Trustees
2008 - Gowlings opens an office in London, U.K.

Notable (past and present) members of the firm include:

*Taylor McVeity (1857–1951). Mayor of Ottawa, 1914
*Leonard Walter Brockington (1888–1966). Founding chairman of the CBC, 1936-1939 cite web|url=http://www.empireclubfoundation.com/details.asp?SpeechID=2793&FT=yes |title=St. George and Merrie England |accessdate=2007-02-05 |last=Brockington |first=Leonard |date=1954 |work=The Empire Club of Canada Speeches 1953-1954 |publisher=The Empire Club Foundation ]
*Patrick LeSage, Former Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice until 2002.
*John Robert Cartwright (1895–1979). 12th Chief Justice of Canada, 1967-1970
*Gordon F. Henderson (1912–1993). President of the Canadian Bar Association, 1979-1980; [ cite web|url=http://www.cba.org/CBA/Info/main/PrintHtml.aspx?DocId=13167 |title=CBA Past Presidents |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2006 |publisher=Canadian Bar Association ] Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, 1991-1993 [ cite web|url=http://web5.uottawa.ca/admingov/past-chancellors.html |title=Past Chancellors of the University |accessdate=2007-02-05 |work=Administration & Governance |publisher=University of Ottawa ]
*Gordon Gowling. President of the Canadian Bar Association, 1950-1951 [ cite web|url=http://www.cba.org/CBA/Info/main/PrintHtml.aspx?DocId=13167 |title=CBA Past Presidents |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2006 |publisher=Canadian Bar Association ]
*Roy McMurtry (1932- ). Attorney-General of Ontario, 1975-1985 and Chief Justice of Ontario, 1996-2007 [cite news | first=Jacquie | last=McNish | coauthors= | title=McMurtry's pro bono crusade | date=2007-06-05 | publisher= | url =http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070605.wlaw-col0606/BNStory/robLawPage/ | work =The Globe and Mail | pages = | accessdate = 2007-06-08 | language = ]
*Ray Hnatyshyn (1934–2002). 24th Governor-General of Canada, 1990-1995 [ cite web|url=http://magazine.carleton.ca/2002_Spring/719.htm |title=Hnatyshyn named Chancellor |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2002 |work=Carleton University ]
*Ian Scott (1934–2006). Attorney-General of Ontario, 1985-1990 [cite news | first=Mary Ann | last=Horgan | coauthors= Sine MacKinnon | title=Justice deCarteret Cory, Ian Scott, and Mel Lastman to receive honorary degrees from York University | date=1997-05-30 | publisher=York University | url =http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/releases_1996_2000/archive/053097.htm | work =Media Release Archive | pages =1 | accessdate = 2007-02-05 | language = ]
*Donald Mazankowski (1935- ). Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, 1986-1993 cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=885363 |title=Rt. Hon Donald F. Mazankowski |accessdate=2007-02-05 |work=Forbes.com |publisher=Forbes ]
*John Bishop Ballem (1946- ). Authority on oil and gas regulation and litigation [ cite journal|title=Can He Pull It Off? The Gowlings Gamble|journal=Lexpert Magazine|date=2001-05|first=Julius|last=Melnitzer|coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=74|id= |url=|format=|accessdate= "The Oil and Gas Lease in Canada" by senior partner John Ballem, Q.C., is considered the definitive text in this practice area."] ; novelist [ cite web|url= http://www.writersunion.ca/ww_profile.asp?mem=155&L=B&N=John%20B. Ballem |title=John Ballem |accessdate=2007-02-05 |publisher=The Writer's Union of Canada ]
*R. Scott Jolliffe (1950- ). Intellectual property litigator and mediator [ cite web|url=http://www.whoswholegal.com/search-cf.cfm?offset2=1&RequestTimeout=500&area=0&country=&state=&lastname=Jolliffe&firstname=R%20Scott&firm=&keyword=&submit=%20%20%20%20%20SEARCH%20%20%20%20%20&offset=1 |title=Canada: Patent |accessdate=2007-02-05 |work=The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers |publisher=Who's Who Legal ] [ cite web|url=http://www.lexpert.ca/500/person.php?id=2110 |title=Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2007 |work=Lexpert |publisher=Lexpert/ American Lawyer Media ]
*Richard Dearden (1953- ). International trade, media and defamation law specialist [ cite web|url=http://www.lexpert.ca/500/person.php?id=1144 |title=Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2007 |work=Lexpert |publisher=Lexpert/ American Lawyer Media ]
*Rick Hillier (1955- ). General and Chief of the Defence Staff, 2005-2008.
*Timothy S. Wach. International tax law expert; former tax policy officer with the Department of Finance (Canada) [ cite web|url=https://secure.globeadvisor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/gam/20051011/RTRUSTMAIN11 |title=All Eyes On Ottawa's Next Move |accessdate=2007-02-05 |last=DeCloet |first=Derek |coauthors=Steven Chase, Sinclair Stewart |date=2005-10-11 |work=Globeadvisor.com |publisher=The Globe and Mail ] [ cite web|url=http://www.internationaltaxreview.com/default.asp?page=52&PUBID=236&ISS=20737&type=5&SID=591763 |title=World Tax 2006. Canada Commentary |accessdate=2007-02-05 |date=2006 |work=International Tax Review ]
*Martin Cauchon (1962- ). Minister of Justice (Canada) and Attorney General of Canada, 2002-2003 ; Minister of National Revenue (Canada), 1999-2002 [ cite web|url=http://www.cba.org/CBA/News/2004_Releases/2004-08-17_sogically.aspx |title=Martin Cauchon receives CBA SOGIC Ally Award |accessdate=2007-02-05 |last=Bernstein |first=Hannah |date=2004-08-17 |work=Canadian Bar Association |publisher=cba.org ]

References

External links

* [http://gowlings.com Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Web Site]