DAVIES WARD PHILLIPS & VINEBERG LLP
Excellence and ambition are core principles at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP: it was the first Canadian law firm to open an office in Europe and in Beijing and the first Canadian firm in New York to practise US law. Our research reveals that these principles are no less important now than they were at the firm’s inception. Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg has retained its enviable international client base and in the past year alone has represented such global corporations as Barrick Gold, Baosteel Resources and Credit Suisse Securities AG. The firm’s lawyers continue to excel: in this edition 34 practitioners earn a total of 40 listings across an impressive 14 practice areas.
The firm exhibits particular strength in our competition chapter, with six inclusions. Senior partner George Addy is “incredibly smart” and is credited with “invaluable business acumen”. One colleague commented of John Bodrug that he would “refer clients to him without hesitation”. Richard Elliott has a “first-rate understanding of competition law” and Adam Fanaki is admired for his “very strong mergers practice”. Sandra Forbes has acquired a reputation as an “outstanding litigator”, while Mark Katz is considered by peers to be “a very talented lawyer all-round”.
The firm’s corporate tax department is similarly well-reputed and also earns six listings. Ian Crosbie was commended to researchers as “absolutely first-class” and gained votes for his “terrific insight and understanding”. Stephen Ruby is respected for his “exceptional litigation practice” and partner David Smith QC is “brilliant in all aspects of income tax work”. John Ulmer is considered “one of the best in the business”, Ronald Wilson is “a very fine lawyer” and Nathan Boidman is “in a league of his own”.
Banking is another area of considerable expertise at the firm, with four of its partners listed in the corresponding chapter. Scott Hyman specialises in transactional work and is described as “second to none”. Derek Vesey was commended to researchers as “super-intelligent and highly skilled”. Carol Pennycook is considered by one source to be “one of the top five banking lawyers in the country” and also earns an inclusion in our capital markets chapter. Jay Swartz has a “sophisticated finance practice”, which extends beyond banking law to insolvency and restructuring and project finance. His broad expertise is recognised in the corresponding chapters of this edition.
The firm attains a triple listing in our mergers and acquisitions chapter. Vincent Mercier has “a leading mergers practice”. William Ainley is “an excellent lawyer” – a sentiment echoed by colleagues in the corporate governance sector, in which he is also listed. Kevin Thomson has “considerable skill and experience” and is also listed in our mining chapter.
Three names feature for their expertise in real estate work. Pierre-André Themens and Gregory Howard are “very well-reputed” and Robert Bauer, who also appears in our public procurement chapter, is “a very smart and talented lawyer”.
Alexandria Pike is “renowned” for her environment practice and Sarah Powell is “very bright”. In our private funds chapter, Paul Harris and Sarbjit Basra are recognised for their “outstanding work”.
With additional listings in our capital markets, commercial litigation, business crime, insolvency and restructuring and private funds chapters, it is clear that Davies Ward retains its position as one of Canada’s top law firms.
