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w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 4 35 LALP14990 Canadian Lawyer#1 Announcement Ad Print– Half page Thank you. Thank you. Thanks again. Lawson Lundell LLP is named the #1 regional law firm in BC, Alberta and the North, as voted by the readers of Canadian Lawyer, for the third consecutive time. A special thanks to our clients – in Canada and around the world. Supreme Court of Canada's ruling in Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, questions about aboriginal title will become even more important. The West's success, however, doesn't just have to do with a stronger resource economy. Western firms are increasingly demonstrating a will- ingness to experiment. "A majority of our top clients have either all or a very significant portion of their work being done through alternative fee arrangements," says James Casey, managing partner of Field Law. "It's not that the world is changing, it's that the world has changed when it comes to alternative fee arrangements and we are changing with it." With in-house counsel remaining prudent with their legal spend, regional law firms are likely to continue to benefit. "The world changed in 2008 and we're not going back," says James McGinnis, managing partner of Parlee McLaws LLP. "What we're seeing is a complete culture shift in the business community looking for better bang for their buck, more value for their dollars. I think the regional law firms are ideally situated to answer that need." Not everything has been completely rosy in the West. There's been less work in corporate finance and securities, and fewer national M&A transactions that spin off work for regional firms. The broader questions about oil sand pipelines and the viability of LNG still need to be resolved. And there's always the danger Toronto-based firms beleaguered by the stagnant economy in Eastern Canada could push harder into the West. But for now, the regional firms are enjoying the fruits of their success. "By remaining regional we can remain exactly who we are," says Bereti.