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36 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP ONTARIO LAW FIRMS IN 2023 "It was a big change because the COO has an important role with respect to the culture and direction of the firm," Temins says. "I'm also pleased that in 2022, our retention and turnover statistics were appreciably lower than in 2021. We stabi- lized, and that was a big success, too." High points that set Minden Gross apart: • real estate, tax, and business law groups, the last driven by partners growing their METHODOLOGY To come up with our Top 10 Ontario Regional Firms list, Canadian Lawyer asked lawyers, in-house counsel, and clients from across Canada to nominate firms worthy of being ranked. We took that list, created a survey, and pushed that survey from Jan. 9 to Feb. 3, 2023 through all our channels to summon the widest participation possible. Respondents' rankings were based on firms' regional service coverage, client base, notable mandates, service excellence, and legal expertise. We also included an opportunity for respondents to suggest a firm not already on the list. To be included, firms had to have offices in Ontario exclusively and offer a wide range of legal services, including corporate and litigation. Voters ranked firms from 1 to 10, with first-place votes earning 10 points and points decreasing by one up to one point for a 10th-place vote. Points were added up and firms ranked accordingly. The quantitative results were combined with the Lexpert peer-survey results, where applicable, along with feedback from respected senior members of the bar and regional diversity considerations. "We've continued to generate a group of lawyers who focus on the entrepreneurial nature of what we do, and they bring a different skill set when working for that business client" Wayne Egan, WeirFoulds LLP • "Simply the gold standard; Victor Pirone was the single greatest advisor I've had." • "They are my go-to firm to refer files; they take care of my clients with the highest level of expertise and service." • "We're not just a billing number; the team learned our business – they are trusted advisers." Considering the reasoning behind these remarks, managing partner John Russo, who represents clients in complex business litigation disputes, explains, "We focus on client service, and it's all driven by our core values of excellence, integrity, and respect – and all my partners, we live it and we demonstrate it. "The strategy is to take really good care of our clients, and we do have very loyal clients," he notes. "Overwhelmingly, if you were to canvass our clients, they would come back to client service as the key." Minden Gross LLP • " In t e l l i ge n t , p ra g m at i c r e p r e s e n t a - tion from the best lawyers in Ontario/ Canada." • "Firm always takes care of its clients and staff." • "Excellent customer service and caring lawyers." • "High expertise in many practice areas; lawyers recognized as leaders in the profession." With respect to the underlying prin- ciples behind these statements, Brian Temins, managing partner and a lawyer in the business law group, says, "Client service is the key driver because having the knowledge is table stakes, but we go that extra mile for the client and instill that throughout the firm. There's lots of bright, talented legal minds here and elsewhere, but how we differentiate ourselves, main- tain and grow our client base, is everybody realizing the common goal, ultimately, is a happy client." Top law firms setting new standards for excellence The four leaders at the top law firms in Ontario are successfully balancing team- work, collaboration, and collegiality within their hybrid work environments and are stemming the talent pool drain with enhanced compensation structures, career pathing, and mentorship. One challenge unique to Minden Gross was embarking on an executive search to replace the planned retirement of its chief operating officer, who had led the firm for nearly four decades. SPECIAL REPORT