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54 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP LITIGATION BOUTIQUES 2024–25 Lundy Levy Eski Baum After opening its doors in February 2024, the firm has been recognized early as one of Canada's top litigation boutiques. Founded by partners Andrew Lundy, Zohar Levy, Eni Eski, and Eric Baum, the firm set out to deliver exceptional client service and legal expertise. Creating an inclusive and authentic environment that fosters top-tier work across diverse practice areas and nurtures young lawyers to build successful careers was paramount. "We were all at an inflection point, consid- ering what to do next," says Levy. "We want to be a place where people want to work, which means we genuinely care about each other." Delivering for their clients involves a multifaceted strategy that prioritizes: • knowing clients and understanding their needs • awareness of the legal team's subject matter expertise and professional strengths • collaborating when appropriate • training associates to view law as a busi- ness and a service "We are all smart people who work hard and take the law very seriously, and we care about getting it right," shares Levy. In its first seven months of operating, the firm boasts a 100 percent retention rate of its associates. That is attributed, in part, to fostering staff 's interests and providing them with straightforward and honest feedback to reach their full poten- tial, along with a clear path to partnership. In a short time, the firm has distinguished itself because: • partners are recognized leaders in their fields • all lawyers share a commitment to client service, including a 24-hour responsive- ness standard • innovative approaches, including its asso- ciate training program Stockwoods upholds the highest stan- dards of legal practice and professionalism, earning client loyalty across its extensive civil litigation practice. Gonsalves has observed several emerging trends in liti- gation, notably that clients increasingly demand high-quality legal services and representation cost-effectively. To address these developments, the legal team has implemented several strategies: • seeking ways to achieve clients' objec- tives without resorting to the courts for contested motions, which sometimes involves a collaborative approach and exploring alternative forms of dispute resolution, particularly given the delays in obtaining court dates for certain matters • integrating newly available technologies to drive costs down, which clients expect • deploying more junior lawyers who are performing well above their years of experience "Part of providing effective, high-quality legal services is having the bench strength to provide quality legal representation at efficient rates that our clients are looking for," Gonsalves adds. Stockwoods' enduring slogan, "Smart litigation," captures the philosophy that guides its commitment to providing legally sound and commercially practical advice tailored to clients' needs. The firm achieves this by being at the cutting edge of all legal developments, with its legal team serving on committees, writing and speaking at conferences, and being actively involved in other profes- sional activities. "Clients come to us, as litigators, with problems that need solving," she explains. "While the law must inform the advice we give, clients are more interested in getting a solution, and that's where our strategic vision comes in." Attracting and retaining top talent is accomplished by empowering junior lawyers with responsibility from the start and fostering mentorship, recognition, and opportunities for professional growth. Like other top litigation boutiques, Stockwoods leverages AI where it makes sense, although its application varies among lawyers. Other platforms, such a s e-disco ver y, have help ed redu ce costly lawyer time. The firm emphasizes the importance of agility in learning new technologies, driving efficiency, and sharing knowledge. "Being able to spot risk and help clients before a dispute arises has really been a critical part of our success. Because we are small and new, we can be innovative, and I'm most excited about our associate training program" Zohar Levy, Lundy Levy Eski Baum SPECIAL REPORT