The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/1086191
w w w . c a n a d i a n l a w y e r m a g . c o m M A R C H 2 0 1 9 33 T O P 1 0 O N T A R I O R E G I O N A L F I R M S D espite a rollercoaster stock market, tariffs and trade renegotiations and a new provincial government, Ontario's top regional firms have had a prosperous year and expect more of the same for 2019. After a month-long survey with hundreds of participants from the legal profession across the country, Canadian Lawyer has determined the top 10 Ontario regional firms of 2019. They are: Torkin Manes LLP, Pallett Valo LLP, WeirFoulds LLP, Blaney McMurtry LLP, Minden Gross LLP, Fogler Rubinoff LLP, Lerners LLP, Gardiner Roberts LLP, Loopstra Nixon LLP and Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP. Jeffrey Cohen, managing partner of Torkin Manes LLP, says clients and those at the firm have an optimistic perspective on the future and 2017 and 2018 were the firm's two best years to date. Cohen says he expects, if not growth, at least stability in the firm's 2019 economic performance. A diversity in types of clients, great performance by those clients and the most talented collection of law- yers the firm has ever had is what he attributes to the successful streak. "And I don't see anything in front of me right now that would lead 2019 to be anything other than another great year," he says. Started in 1974 by Larry Torkin and Ron Manes, the firm, Cohen says, originally emphasized its commercial litigation practice. Now, he says, the firm's largest areas are cor- porate commercial, real estate and commer- cial litigation, but it is also known for strong sub-speciality groups, such as trusts, estates, family and health law. Recently, Wayne Egan, managing partner at WeirFoulds LLP, has seen an independence streak among clients, much more willing to handle tasks on their own which they may have sent to their lawyers in the past. This is increasingly prevalent due to cost containment and a push for greater efficiency, he says. This requires firms to automate, stepping up the use of technology so they can cut down on work done by clerks, students and lower-level associ- ates and even pass on work back to the client, he says. CHANGE BREEDS OPPORTUNITY Ontario's top regional firms have benefited from a booming economy, cannabis and a labour law overhaul By Aidan Macnab