Canadian Lawyer

of contracts," notes Roberts. "Some will be large defence contractors with operations in Nova Scotia or from afar. That will create a substantial amount of work." For most firms, the majority of that work will not be for Irving (that brass ring already belongs to Stewart McKelvey), but for the shipbuilder' well as indirect spin-off businesses. Flowing directly from the contract will s suppliers and contractors as be more calls for lawyers with experience in tax and immigration. As well, govern- ment and regulatory issues will be promi- nent and law firms will be at the ready to offer support. "If you're going to contract with the government, you have to be able to meet these needs," says Gallivan. While the total indirect spinoff is dif- ing more blue skies ahead. Earlier this year, Morley spoke to a gathering of real estate clients as part of an annual event hosted by a local law firm. "The turnout was more than double last year' left pretty upbeat," he says. "We have seen some big surges in housing construction in some months this year, and sales and s event and most a bump in economic activity, so I would not expect to see an immediate impact." While the volume of services may increase and the mix of legal expertise may change course, in many ways, the Irving contract will amount to more of the same for lawyers. Stordy points to the contract Irving currently has to build "IT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENT. IT'S A LOT OF MONEY, AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE REGION." DANNY GALLIVAN, COX & PALMER ficult to measure, it will involve lawyers with corporate-commercial practices as well as real estate lawyers especially as the shipbuilding contract moves into the steel-cutting phase and employment ramps up, says Stordy. "We have already seen an uptick in the work for developers and construction companies," he notes. Lawyers and their clients are anticipat- prices in the north-end neighbourhoods close to the shipyards have jumped. activity, there is also the increased likeli- hood of disputes. Litigation is potentially a large slice of the legal pie. To date, there has been "no bump to report in litiga- tion," but that is not surprising, says Brian Awad, a partner with Burchells LLP. "A bump in litigation is a lagging indicator of Of course, where there is increased " mid-shore vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard. "That project, like the new con- tract, involves negotiations between the shipyard and the contracting entity, in each case the federal government, but also involves a significant amount of contract negotiation between the ship- yard and the multitude of subcontrac- tors and suppliers that will provide services and materials in support of the CollinBarrows_CL_June_12.indd 1 www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com SEPTEMBER 2012 39 12-05-11 10:22 AM

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