M&A Lawyer James Rossiter joins Baker & McKenzie in Toronto

TORONTO , Nov. 9 /CNW/ - Highly-regarded practitioner James Rossiter has joined Baker & McKenzie LLP in Toronto . Mr. Rossiter has more than 20 years experience structuring and implementing complex and multi-jurisdictional M&A, secured lending and tax transactions. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie, Mr. Rossiter was a senior partner with Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP in Toronto .

"We are genuinely excited to welcome Jim to our Firm. He is a seasoned professional with an established track record of attracting and discharging work at the highest level. His expertise will benefit our clients and generate opportunities, while simultaneously strengthening our profile in Toronto ," said Jim Holloway , Managing Partner of the Firm's Toronto office.

Mr. Rossiter 's practice is focused on cross-border transactions. He has acted for US private equity firms, foreign private investor groups and numerous US financial institutions. Mr. Rossiter 's transactions include the acquisition and financing of NHL hockey teams and arenas, hotels and office towers, aviation businesses, manufacturers and distributors of plastics and paper products, airline catering companies, cosmetics companies and pharmaceutical companies. He has significant experience in acting as M&A counsel on large real estate projects and on transactions in the media and entertainment sectors. Notable transactions as lead counsel include the acquisition/financing of the Montreal Canadiens, and the Bell Centre in Montreal , the Ottawa Senators and Scotiabank Place in Ottawa , the Atrium on Bay in Toronto , and the Edmonton Oilers.

"Adding a lawyer of Jim's calibre with his proven talent for concluding complex financing and other transactions in Canada and beyond will strengthen our offering to clients," said Peter Engstrom , Baker & McKenzie's North American Managing Partner. "We are excited to marry his talents to our global platform."

    
    About Baker & McKenzie
    ----------------------
    

Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie provides sophisticated advice and legal services to many of the world's most dynamic and successful organizations through more than 3,900 locally qualified lawyers and more than 5,800 professional staff in 67 offices and 39 countries. Baker & McKenzie is known for having a deep understanding of the language and culture of business, an uncompromising commitment to excellence, and world-class fluency in the way we think, work and behave. Baker & McKenzie's global revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 , were US $2.11 billion . John Conroy is Chairman of the Firm's Executive Committee. (www.bakernet.com)

For further information: Harriet Giannoukos, Marketing & Business Development, Toronto on [phone] or [email protected]; Jessica Benzon, Global Communications, Chicago on [phone] or [email protected]