Canadian Lawyer

www.canadianlawyermag.com 45 "What differentiates us is that you've got to have great skills and provide excellent service," says Cohen. "But we firmly believe that all of that must be contextualized based on what our clients' needs are because they can't tell us what they need in terms of the law. We'll tell them what the law is, but our job is to give the advice in a manner that is relevant for them." Another mainstay of CL's esteemed rank- ings over the past decade, Pallett Valo LLP has kept its winning streak going by delivering high-quality services with a strong emphasis on value. "We strive to know our clients, and this started in 2001 when we came up with an approach which is the right lawyer for the right client and the right type of file," managing partner John Russo explains. "We've emphasized that and try to vest ourselves in our clients' businesses." With a complement of approximately 90 lawyers, clerks, and staff, the Peel Region firm is a true mid-market firm, offering full service across eight practice areas and over 20 industries. A commitment to living its value system drives its success, which shows up in respect for its staff and clients. Another differentiator is that Pallett Vallo doesn't shield its younger lawyers from clients. Instead, the associates are encour- aged to deal directly with them, reinforcing the team ethos on both sides. Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, another fixture of CL's celebrated list since 2011, has a strong reputation for dispensing high- quality yet cost-effective solutions. The full-service mid-size Toronto firm has expertise across multiple areas, including deep benches of experienced corporate, tax, corporate finance, real estate, and litigation lawyers. Its vast in-house capa- bilities enable it to deliver integrated and comprehensive solutions. The firm's Indigenous practice has also grown significantly in recent years, with the development of smaller, dedicated teams in specialized areas such as IP. "It all starts with hiring the right people – associates, both homegrown and lateral, and partners," says firm chair Eric Roblin. "We have people that not only have the necessary expertise to complete complicated matters but can do so without having to staff up a file in a manner that incurs unnecessary expense for our clients." Smaller teams of lawyers on matters allow for a more hands-on approach, enabling them to understand the nuances of each file, priori- tize responsiveness, and keep costs down. "A further benefit is that the smaller teams allow our younger lawyers to take on greater responsibility and have greater direct client contact earlier in their careers than they might otherwise have," he adds. "We feel that running an efficient ship is how we can continue to provide cost-effective solutions that bring the client greater value." Blaney McMurtry LLP has earned a repu- tation for an interconnection of exceptional client service and a strong workplace culture, both of which have made the firm an enduring leader in CL's rankings for over a decade. The full-service firm's practice areas run the gamut, including corporate and commer- cial law, commercial real estate, insurance, commercial litigation, as well as personal services such as estate, tax, and family law. It is known for being responsive and priori- tizing two-way communication. "Clients want to know that their lawyers truly understand their business, care about "The practice of law has changed so much in the last 20 years; you have to adapt or there's going to be a problem. Technology is baseline, but success comes from doing what makes you great" John Russo, Pallett Valo LLP METHODOLOGY Canadian Lawyer asked readers to vote for the top full-service regional firms in Ontario. In the survey, which took place between October 14 and November 8, 2024, respondents were asked to rank up to 10 firms from a long list provided. They were also given the option to add a firm not included in that list. The respondents were asked to vote for firms based on their regional service coverage, client base, notable mandates, service excellence, and legal expertise. To qualify for the list and be voted for, firms had to have offices in Ontario exclusively and offer a wide range of legal services, including corporate and litigation. Voters ranked the nominees from 1 to 10, giving their first-place ranking 10 points, second place 9, and so on down to 1 point for 10th place. Each firm's points were totalled to determine the overall ranking of winners. The quantitative results were combined with the Lexpert peer survey results, where applicable, along with feedback from respected senior members of the bar.

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