Canadian Lawyer

50 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP ONTARIO REGIONAL FIRMS 2025–26 professionals who collaborate well and are committed to teamwork," he says. "Our commitment to diversity in service delivery also makes us more flexible in how we work with our lawyers and professionals across the organization." McKenzie Lake fosters a collegial and supportive workplace culture that translates into high-level client service and outcomes due to its team all pulling in the same direction. "It's not as simple as hiring one lawyer who wrote a textbook on this area of law because behind that lawyer is a law clerk, an IT department, an accounting department, everyone working together to achieve the ultimate goal," says Villeneuve. One of the things he highlights about McKenzie Lake is that there's no division between its lawyers and everyone else. The firm supports and recognizes the value of every role as pivotal to providing exceptional service, from partners, associates, clerks, students, IT, and accounting to administrative staff. Top law firms look ahead without losing golden touch Torkin Manes' Cohen emphasizes that while technology is transforming how legal services are delivered, the core elements of lawyering remain unchanged. "You still have to be a great lawyer, provide excellent service and contextual, practical advice," he says. Whether AI, new software, or industry- wide innovations, the tech tools are some- what irrelevant to clients. "Clients want us to be current with tech- nology and be efficient, but what really matters, in my view, is that the firm upholds those three principles." Cohen warns against letting technology dictate a firm's approach, as adopting new tools could compromise fundamental values and risk it losing a competitive edge. That's why Torkin Manes adopts a thoughtful rather than being lost in a team of lawyers, wondering if anyone will take ownership." This approach is especially valuable when a new development arises that needs to be resolved quickly. With smaller teams and a core group working on matters, the firm ensures swift and effective action. Blaney McMurtry is recognized for tenacity, integrity, and a willingness to go the extra mile. Wolfson notes that being a trusted advisor isn't about following a standard playbook. Every transaction or litigation is unique, and the firm's lawyers take the time to understand the bigger picture and what truly matters to the client. "Too often, lawyers fall into the trap of saying, 'That's just how it's done,' without digging deeper," he says. "That's a red flag because it signals that the lawyer isn't thinking critically or engaging with the client's needs." Wolfson shares an example of a real estate client whose business model involved acquiring existing buildings. This time, however, they were considering a different type of acquisi- tion, one that required a new approach. Instead of jumping straight into deal terms, he spent the first 10 to 15 minutes of the call asking about their business, their investors, and what was most important to them. Through this conversation, Wolfson discovered that the client wanted more control over leasing and value generation, even though the seller handled construction. By structuring the agree- ment creatively, the team ensured the seller remained incentivized while giving the client the involvement they wanted. "We were able to build that in and create a solution that worked for the client while also respecting the key behind-the-scenes factors that mattered to them," he adds. "This is the kind of insight you only get by having mean- ingful discussions and truly listening to what the client wants." Loopstra Nixon thrives on innovation, diversity, and collaboration, bringing together lawyers with different styles, experiences, and perspectives to deliver optimal results. It encourages its people to approach problem- solving in their own way, creating an environ- ment in which differing perspectives come together to find the best solutions. "If we work well across disciplines, it deepens our relationship with the client and provides a solution that is not simply advisory. It's a collaboration across disciplines, and that's when we're at our best," Ritchie says. He emphasizes that diversity isn't just about demographics but also includes diver- sity of age, practice priorities and perspectives, all of which contribute to a stronger, more dynamic firm. The firm recognizes that service and expertise can be provided in different ways while maintaining value for clients. "We put our lawyers out in front of the brand. There is no archetype of a Loopstra Nixon lawyer, only a diverse range of "We are constantly striving for collaboration across disciplines because it deepens our relationship with clients and provides solutions that are more than just advisory" Allan Ritchie, Loopstra Nixon LLP SPECIAL REPORT

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