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REGIONAL WRAP-UP gan-based Dickinson Wright PLLC has snapped up Toronto lawyer Michael Lipton, along with two of his colleagues from the now disbanded Elkind & Lipton LLP, for its first foray into Canada. "It was a logical expansion of this international fo- cus to bring in a Toronto office," says Bob Stocker, the head of Dickinson Wright's 30-lawyer gaming practice group. The decision to set up shop in Canada was in part due to the rapid growth of the gaming sector in Canada since Ontario got into casino gaming in the 1990s. "You have a very strong mar- ket both for casino gaming, plus you have lottery and bingo operations," says Stocker. "The international manufacturers [of gaming equipment] do a tremendous amount of business in Canada." The U.S. firm was also anxious to hire Lipton, former presi- dent of the International Masters of Gaming Law, an associa- tion of lawyers, regulators, and executives. At the same time, the fact that Dickinson Wright already represents several On- tario-based companies that do business across the border was another impetus for the move. "I think that the synergies are very apparent," says Lipton, a non-gambler who stumbled upon the gaming field when American firm takes chance across the border A n American law firm is playing its hand across the border to establish a Toronto office focused on gaming law. In a bid to boost its international credentials, Michi- he began doing work for the Ontario government during its early moves to enter the sector. Since then, his practice has grown to include clients around the world, something both he and Stocker hope will create new business oppor- tunities for the firm. "My vi- sion with the gaming practice group is to become the domi- nant international provider of gaming-related legal services," says Stocker. The firm first began making overtures to Lipton about a year ago. As the current presi- dent of the IMGL, Stocker had already worked with Lipton, who at first was reluctant to sign on. But when a partner left Elkind & Lipton recently, he decided the timing was right. Although Stocker says the growing gaming industry here Toronto lawyer Michael Lipton is joining the gaming group of a Michigan-based law firm that's setting up shop across the border. makes Canada an attractive place to do business, Lipton says it does face challenges. In Quebec, for example, the government- run lottery agency is facing a massive class action suit from people who claim its video lottery terminals have left them hooked on gambling. "Certainly, if it's proven that the gaming equipment caused serious addiction, there could be serious is- sues that the gaming companies would face. But I don't think they'll be able to establish that," says Lipton. His greater concern, however, is the government's reluctance Senior Litigation Counsel Constitutional Law The Canadian Constitution Foundation seeks part-time or full-time Senior Litigation Counsel for our constitutional litigation and legal research work. The successful candidate can work from any city in Canada, reporting to the Executive Director in Calgary. Senior Litigation Counsel will review and assist with the litigation work and legal research carried out by the Foundation's other in-house counsel, pro bono counsel, and law students. She or he will also assign legal research on constitutional topics to law students and lawyers, and review this work. Further, Senior Litigation Counsel may, if interested, assume direct responsibility for fi les, and appear in court. The ideal candidate will have between 10 and 20 years of litigation experience. Applications from retired or semi-retired litigation counsel, and from retired judges, are welcome. Salary to be negotiated, commensurate with experience and the Founda- tion's non-profi t status as a registered charity. Resumes with cover letter may be sent, in confi dence, to JCarpay@CanadianConstitutionFoundation.ca. 10 JANU AR Y 2009 www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com ndConstitution_CL_Jan_09.indd 1 12/16/08 2:29:32 PM to let online gambling operations set up shop here when Ca- nadians can already bet on foreign-based web sites. "It's sort of akin to keeping your head in the sand. The unfortunate part is the number of people who are engaged in this particular activ- ity from an entertainment perspective is growing. There is a lot of revenue that's leaving the country." The fear over allowing online gambling, of course, is the po- tential for side effects such as money laundering, increased ad- dictions, and underage gambling. But Lipton argues that so far the experience in Britain, which regulates the sector, has shown operators are taking precautions. "It sets forth a clear regime that one has to qualify to become licensed," he says. "They also set clear rules in terms of excluding minors." But in the end, Lipton says he has plenty of work to keep him busy. In fact, he argues that operating in Canada is a boon to his business, including with overseas clients. That's because with strong governmental oversight and ownership of the sec- tor, the country has established a reputation as a "premier ju- risdiction in terms of regulation," he says. "If you're advising people, and it's based on the gold standard, then they're going to be able to do business anywhere in the world." — GLENN KAUTH gkauth@clbmedia.ca