MCMILLAN AND LANG MICHENER COMBINE TO CREATE A NEW CANADIAN BUSINESS LAW FIRM
WITH NATIONAL REACH

TORONTO, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - McMillan LLP and Lang Michener LLP today announced that they have reached an agreement to combine, effective January 1, 2011, to form a new leading Canadian law firm specializing in the needs of business with top legal talent and client-focused service.

McMillan and Lang Michener have chosen to continue under the single name: McMillan.  The new firm will rank among the leading Canadian law firms based on size and reach, offering clients a more robust national presence and stronger international ties.

"This is a great opportunity for McMillan, Lang Michener and for our combined current and future clients," said Andrew Kent, CEO. "The combined firm, the new McMillan, stands as a truly modern, ambitious law firm with enhanced scope, a deeper bench and a broad range of expertise."

"For our clients this means expanded service and greater opportunity. For our partners, lawyers and staff it means the chance to participate in and contribute to a growth-oriented enterprise as we build together for the future," said Robert Cranston, Managing Partner, Lang Michener, Eastern Division.

"This represents an ideal partnership - one that honours and extends the ethic of excellence and expertise upon which Lang Michener and its predecessor firms were founded," said  François Tougas, Chair, Lang Michener, Western Division.

The combined firm will have close to 400 lawyers, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Hong Kong and have complementary product offerings creating numerous opportunities for cross-collaboration and expansion.

The new firm will provide a broader mix of services and specialties to clients from more offices across Canada and in the critical growth markets of Asia and Latin America. The firm is poised to bolster its presence across a number of key industry sectors including: mining, forest products, oil and gas, financial services, transportation, technology and communications, manufacturing, automotive and more.

"This is just the beginning," added Kent. "Our combined law firm will be defined by a focus on geographic expansion, continued growth in product offerings and professional excellence. In the weeks, months and years to come our ambition is clear: To stand as the best and first choice in Canada for business clients seeking first class legal advice, support and service." 

About McMillan LLP
McMillan is a leading Canadian business law firm distinguished by broad experience and recognized expertise in major business sectors and acknowledged leadership in competition/antitrust, corporate restructuring and insolvency and financial services. Founded in 1903 by Newton W. Rowell and together with the leadership of Gordon McMillan and Bill Binch, the firm has been committed to client service and professional excellence for over 100 years. In 2005, McMillan Binch in Toronto combined with Mendelsohn in Montréal to offer national legal services and, in 2009, McMillan and Calgary's Thackray Burgess combined to create McMillan LLP. Today, McMillan provides definitive legal advice to businesses, financial institutions, governments and private individuals in Canada, the United States and internationally.  For more information, please visit our website at www.mcmillan.ca.

About Lang Michener LLP
Lang Michener is a leader in Canada's legal profession and has been for more than 80 years. Our international firm, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Hong Kong, has over 200 professionals who provide effective, innovative solutions to Canadian and international clients. Lang Michener was founded in 1927 when Roland Michener and Daniel Lang began their partnership in Toronto.  The Right Honourable Roland Michener was Speaker of the House of Commons and Governor-General of Canada.   In 1989, Lang Michener merged with Vancouver law firm Lawrence & Shaw to become the national law firm we are today.   We have played a major role in shaping Canada's economic and political institutions, and understand the competitive global needs of our country's leading companies and industries.  For more information, please visit our website at www.langmichener.ca.

For further information:

or to request an interview, please contact:

David Eisenstadt
Partner
The Communications Group Inc.
[phone] extension 36
1-800-267-4476 extension 36
Email: [email protected]