The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/1527910
48 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP LITIGATION BOUTIQUES 2024–25 STANDING OUT AMONG Canada's sought-after top litigation firms requires a blend of creativity, courage, and commer- cial savvy – not to mention advocacy skills, legal expertise, and an unmatched under- standing of their client's business to deliver advice that hits the mark. The leading litigation firms are at the forefront of an evolving legal landscape, challenging the limits of the law and often steering a client around a potential public relations fallout in certain high-stakes cases. "Today's litigation is not for the faint of heart, and the best of the best are those advocates who anticipate where the law is going and who are brave enough to push the law in the directions it should go, despite the risk," says Erik S. Knutsen of Queen's University Faculty of Law. "Creativity and knowing the power of the possible is key. They are on the bleeding edge of legal thinking." Canadian Lawyer's seventh bi-annual Top Litigation Boutiques sur vey for 2024–25 assessed 93 firms based on feed- back from lawyers, in-house counsel, and clients across Canada. Only firms with a primary focus on liti- gation were considered. Rankings were determined through a points system and geographically segmented. Lexpert peer surveys, feedback from senior members of the bar, and considerations of regional diver- TITANS OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION sity further enriched the quantitative results. The final rankings recognize the Top 10 firms in Eastern Canada and the Top 5 in Western Canada. A 2023 Thomson Reuters report that surveyed corporate clients on what they look for in their legal providers highlights the drivers propelling this year's top litiga- tion firms to the leading edge. Legal academics confirm that leading litigation firms employ top-tier lawyers with deep subject matter expertise. These firms are highly responsive and client-centric, excelling at resolving disputes efficiently, cost-effectively, and transparently. "We recruit and retain good lawyers who provide excellent service to clients across a wide variety of practice areas. The specifics of the files we're working on at any given time may vary, but our overall approach and strategy have remained consistent since the firm's inception" Claire E. Hunter, KC, Hunter Litigation Chambers "Leaders in Canadian litigation are those counsel who can provide strategic advice to clients to avoid litigation, but who are equally comfortable in the frays of any hearing, if need be," Knutsen adds. The demand for litigators underscores this focus on expertise and responsiveness. According to Statistics Canada, over 400,000 active civil court cases were resolved nationwide in FY 2022–23, with the majority in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.This high volume reflects the increasing complexity of litigation and the diversity of current and emerging areas of the litigation bar. SPECIAL REPORT