Canadian Lawyer

Haligonians cheer after finding out Irving Shipyards had won the bid for a $25-billion federal shipbuilding contract. Anticipation before last October's big announcement was high among workers at the Halifax shipyards. B ITY ernment, the lucrative 30-year contract will translate into an additional 11,500 jobs for Nova Scotians and will increase the province's GDP by almost $900 million during peak production years. As well, the impact of the shipbuilding work is estimated to produce $2.8 billion in additional revenue over the course of the next 19 years. Law firms want in on the largesse. In anticipation of what lies ahead, firms are preparing Increased wealth certainly appears to be on the horizon. According to the provincial gov- " to meet increased demand in several key areas. McInnes Cooper, one of the three largest regional firms in Atlantic Canada, has already developed a strategy that identifies prospects and how those can be capitalized upon. While preparation of business plans is business as usual, the shipbuilding strategy "does reflect the uniqueness of this opportunity, Roberts, a partner with McInnes Cooper in Halifax who is leading the initiative within the firm. "We're not positioning ourselves for something that is short term. We want to ensure we have the resources we need. all the major law firms in the area are gearing up for the impact [the contract] will have on their capacity to do work for their clients who have a connection with the project — and the expected spin-off generally, McInnes Cooper is not alone in its preparation or its anticipation. "There is no doubt that " "The amount of work that will flow into the legal community will be significant and is not dissimilar to the type of work that currently exists." The increased demand for legal services will emanate directly from the contract itself. But " says Lawrence Stordy, a Halifax partner with Stewart McKelvey. most opportunities will result from related business and consumer activity, says Fred Morley, executive vice president and chief economist of the Greater Halifax Partnership. "This would come from new business creation, new housing construction — 420 new homes a year on average — and general population growth." Not surprisingly, one of the key growth areas is contract law. "Irving will need to enter into a lot www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com SEPTEMBER 2012 37 " says John usiness ahoy! That is the call resonating throughout Nova Scotia in the wake of the federal government's announcement that Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding Inc., has won the $25-billion contract to build this country's next fleet of war vessels. Law firms are listening — and they are getting ready for a new wave of busi- ness. "It is a very significant agreement. It's a lot of money, and it's going to have a great impact on the region," says Danny Gallivan, CEO and managing partner of Cox & Palmer in Halifax. Indeed, notes John Young, chairman of Boyne Clarke in Dartmouth, "I think we will be richer over time. paul DarroW / reuTers sanDor FiZli / reuTers

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