The former Head of the BC Public Service, Jessica McDonald, joins Heenan
Blaikie

VANCOUVER , Jan. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Heenan Blaikie is pleased to announce that Jessica McDonald has joined the firm on January 11, 2010 . She holds the position of Executive Vice-President, Western and International Development at HB Global Advisors Corp., the consulting arm of Heenan Blaikie LLP.

Ms. McDonald has joined Heenan Blaikie's growing consulting business based in British Columbia, where she will be advising clients on sensitive negotiation of business transactions, multilateral negotiations, relationships between the business and Aboriginal communities and dispute resolution. The firm's client base includes local, national and multinational business clients, as well as foreign governments, governmental organizations and economic and trade bodies.

A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Ms. McDonald has, for the last 20 years, pursued a remarkable career. She has served in many capacities within the B.C. Government, and previously founded a successful consultancy business focused on natural resources and land management. In 2005, she was appointed Deputy Minister to the BC Premier and Cabinet Secretary, becoming the first woman ever to hold the position of Head of the BC Public Service. She has received national recognition for her work, including the IPAC/Deloitte National Gold Award for Public Sector Leadership, and has been named to the list of Canada's Top 40 Under 40(TM), Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women(TM) and Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame(TM).

"Jessica McDonald brings to Heenan Blaikie a rare combination of management experience and comprehensive knowledge, including strong leadership qualities, a proven record of innovation, strategic vision, consultancy expertise and excellent interpersonal skills", says Roy L. Heenan, O.C., Ad. E., the firm's Chairman and Founding Partner. " Ms. McDonald 's long-standing experience in both the public and private sectors makes her an invaluable addition to Heenan Blaikie. We are very proud and honoured that she made the decision to join our team."

Heenan Blaikie has grown progressively to over 500 lawyers and professionals in nine offices in British Columbia, Quebec , Ontario and Alberta, as well as through strategic alliances in Paris and Singapore . The firm provides sought-after expertise in business law, labour and employment law, litigation, taxation, intellectual property and entertainment law.

For further information: Geoff Plant, Q.C., Partner, Heenan Blaikie, [phone], F: [phone], [email protected]