McCarthy Tétrault Announces New Chair and CEO

Marc-André Blanchard chosen to succeed W. Iain Scott

TORONTO , Nov. 13 /CNW/ - The Board of Partners of McCarthy Tétrault is pleased to announce that Marc-André Blanchard will become the firm's Chair and CEO as of January 1, 2010 - succeeding W. Iain Scott, whose term is set to expire. This news follows a partners' ratification vote yesterday that gave Mr. Blanchard overwhelming support.

Mr. Blanchard , an accomplished lawyer and leader, is currently McCarthy Tétrault's Regional Managing Partner for Québec, and a member of the firm-wide leadership team. He graduated from the Université de Montréal law school in 1988, and holds graduate degrees from Columbia University and the London School of Economics. Mr. Blanchard was selected by La Presse and The Gazette as "one of the 40 most promising young leaders in Québec on the cusp of the millennium" in 1999, was recognized as "Québec young professional of the year" by the Montréal Youth Chamber of Commerce in 2004, and was also recognized by Lexpert Magazine as one of its "Top 40 lawyers under 40" in 2004.

"The entire firm is extremely pleased with the choice of Marc-André Blanchard as the next Chair and CEO of McCarthy Tétrault, as am I," said W. Iain Scott, the firm's current Chair and CEO. "Marc-André's intellect, leadership, outstanding interpersonal skills, and passion for the relentless pursuit of excellence in client service are ideally suited to the culture and ambitions of McCarthy Tétrault."

Mr. Scott has served two consecutive terms of four years each, which is the maximum tenure as Chair and CEO allowable under McCarthy Tétrault's partnership agreement. He will continue with the firm when his term ends on December 31, 2009 and work together with Mr. Blanchard and the Board of Partners over the coming weeks to ensure an effective leadership transition.

"Our vision for the firm extends Iain's legacy of continuously delivering exceptional legal services and increasing the value we offer to clients," said Mr. Blanchard . "Now, we must mobilize all of our people to be even more innovative in a highly collaborative fashion with our clients. We have to ensure that our clients receive the best value by delivering exceptional legal services and solutions in the most efficient manner."

In his new role as Chair and CEO, Mr. Blanchard will oversee the operations of all seven McCarthy Tétrault offices in Canada and the UK. He will play a central role in charting the firm through a competitive global environment, and will also be highly engaged in leading the firm's diversity efforts as well as a variety of its social and environmental initiatives.

About McCarthy Tétrault

McCarthy Tétrault provides a broad range of legal services, advising on large and complex assignments for Canadian and international interests. The firm is well-established in major commercial centres across Canada and in London , UK.

Built on a unique model of collaboration, the firm brings its legal talent, industry knowledge and practice experience, wherever needed, to help clients achieve the results that are important to them.

For further information: please contact Tiffany Schier, [phone], [email protected]; Hélène Sansoucy, [phone], [email protected]