Canadian Lawyer

"Currently the residential housing market is certainly down and that somewhat impacts us, as we have a big residential real estate practice," he says. Nonetheless, the firm has "probably doubled in size" over the past decade, and the shipbuilding project and offshore energy explorations could bring opportunities for firms in the area. George White, Patterson Law's managing partner, sees the bright spots as "a combination of general civil litigation . . . and general commercial growth, and growth in the requirement for tax planning." His firm has two Nova Scotia offices — in Halifax and Truro, which serves a more rural clientele. White says the aging legal workforce outside of urban areas presents both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, his firm could benefit from the lack of capacity, but it will also need to support younger lawyers to grow at the firm. Across the region, continued migration to other parts of Canada is predicted to create labour shortages. However, MacNeil has seen an increase in inquiries from lawyers in central and western Canada looking for opportunities to move east. "I think that's increased in the last two years," he says. "It's not a huge volume but there's a noticeable increase." Perhaps this is due to overcapacity elsewhere in Canada, or an increased desire for a better work-life balance. As Pike explains, this "more measured approach" allows for a "culture of community involvement," valued by lawyers at his firm. Provinces are hoping to attract newcomers from overseas to fill the workforce gaps in areas such as construction, which Gallivan hopes to capitalize on by expanding Cox & Palmer's immigration practice. He says the much-touted exodus away from the region has TOP 3 COX & PALMER not affected the firm's ability to attract junior talent — there were 300 applications for its 22 available articling posts. There's a chance the competition could become even tougher if plans for a new law school at Memorial University in Newfoundland go ahead. Law students at nearby universities have expressed concern over the proposal, but Daniel Simmons, a partner at Ottenheimer Baker, says it would be good news overall. "For the profession and the community it would be a good thing, because a law school brings different opportunities that aren't necessarily present otherwise." These include the "academic thought and work that benefits society and government and probably on the bench," according to Simmons. Practising lawyers could benefit from library facilities, legal and other opportunities to get involved in teaching and research. WITH OFFICES ACROSS REGION (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) COXANDPALMERLAW.COM Total lawyers: 200 Lawyers by office: Alberton, P.E.I.: 1; Charlottetown: 14; Fredericton: 25; Halifax: 59; Moncton, 20; Montague, P.E.I.: 1; Morell, P.E.I, 1; Summerside, P.E.I.: 5; Saint John: 32; St. John's: 42 Core practice areas: Corporate commercial; commercial litigation; insurance litigation; employment and labour; banking and insolvency Key clients: Canadian Medical Protective Association; Emera Inc.; Bell Alliant; CIBC; Aviva Canada; Lombard Canada/ Northbridge Notable mandates: Represented Halifax Regional Municipality in its 10-year battle with the federal government over the under-estimation of the value of Citadel Hill pursuant to the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act; represented the province of Nova Scotia in the purchase of Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd., and on the NewPage Corp. matter; advised Husky Energy on its South White Rose Extension project; acted for Emera Inc. on the development and transmission of hydroelectric power from Muskrat Falls; acted for Dexter to formulate a 3P bid to complete the twinning of the Saint John to St. Stephen divided highway, and provided legal advice when it won the contract; provided all legal services to establish title to Loblaw Co. Ltd. properties throughout Atlantic Canada as part of the establishment of a proposed REIT; engaged by TransCanada Corp. as local counsel on the Energy East Pipeline Project Star alumni: William Cox, former Canadian Bar Association 34 OctOber 2013 www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m president; John C. Crosbie, lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador; Ian M. MacKeigan, former chief justice of Nova Scotia; Clyde Wells, former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; M. Douglas Young, former federal cabinet minister Affiliations: World Services Group; National Referral Network; Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers; Risk Management Counsel of Canada The firm: Cox & Palmer was formed in January 2007 as the result of a merger between Cox Hanson O'Reilly Matheson and Patterson Palmer. The merger created one of the largest full-service firms in the Atlantic region, with roots tracing back over 100 years. With multiple offices, Cox & Palmer services local, national, and international clients including a significant francophone client base. A respondent from a national law firm said Cox & Palmer lawyers were "always responsive," and were "exemplary partners" in serving clients, offering "great service from excellent lawyers at a competitive price." They are "also great relationship builders and look out for opportunities where they can refer their clients to us," the lawyer said. "For the last five years we've been recognized as one of the top places to work in Canada," says CEO Daniel Gallivan, citing the firm's culture of "respect, support, understanding." Having a strong reputation is "even more important these days because of global competition, and the build up of in-house capacity," he adds.

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