Toronto, ON and Montreal, QC (March 15, 2005) - Today, McMillan Binch LLP and Montreal-based Mendelsohn GP, two successful business law firms announced the signing of a letter of intent to merge and create one national firm: McMillan Binch Mendelsohn LLP.
"This is an historic moment for our firms," said Graham Scott, Managing Partner of McMillan Binch. "Two well respected and established business law firms with deep roots in the largest two commercial centres in Canada are joining forces to create a new national financial services leader and corporate focused law firm, capable of delivering services in English and French."
"For over 50 years, Mendelsohn has delivered high quality legal work with a unique attention to client needs and value for service," said Andrew Etcovitch, Managing Partner of Mendelsohn. "With our history of working together, we are confident this merger will benefit all our clients because McMillan Binch emphasizes these same values."
McMillan Binch and Mendelsohn are both major business law firms serving clients, both public and private, in all sectors of the economy. Collectively, they are best known for their expertise in the areas of antitrust/competition, banking and finance, corporate restructuring, commercial real estate, tax, corporate commercial, mergers and acquisitions and business litigation.
"We see obvious benefits for our clients, efficiencies in our work, and new opportunities for lawyers of both firms," Etcovitch said. "We are both already extremely successful in private markets and look forward to raising our profile in public markets."
"Equally important," Scott added, "Our clients across Canada, the United States and internationally will benefit from seamless access to legal expertise in two of Canada’s largest legal, commercial and financial centres." "This is the right move, at the right time, for two excellent firms," said Richard Stock, Partner, Catalyst Consulting. "With excellent lawyers at both Mendelsohn and McMillan Binch, this merger will be very good for their clients."
The formal merger is expected to be completed by early May 2005.
About McMillan Binch LLP
McMillan Binch is a leading Canadian business law firm. Based in Toronto, the firm is at the forefront in serving the financial sector, domestic and international corporations and governments, with a depth of expertise in the following core areas: financial services, restructuring, competition as well as mergers and acquisitions. Key to the firm's success is an emphasis on collaborating on fresh ideas and a multi-disciplinary approach to handling complex transactions efficiently. McMillan Binch has an operational philosophy based on its core values of respect, teamwork, commitment, client service and professional excellence.
About Mendelsohn GP
The partnership of Mendelsohn has been practising commercial law in Montreal since 1951. It has consistently delivered outstanding legal and business advice to a wide range of clients in Quebec, Canada and internationally. Mendelsohn is recognized for its tailor-made legal solutions in the fields of financing and insolvency, mergers and acquisitions, tax, real estate development, securities, intellectual property and commercial litigation.
For more information:
Graham W.S. Scott, Q.C.
Managing Partner
McMillan Binch LLP
416.865.7247
graham.scott@mcmillanbinch.com
Andrew Etcovitch
Managing Partner
Mendelsohn GP
514.987.5064
aetcovitch@mendelsohn.ca
Media Contact in Toronto:
Susan Reisler
Media Profile
416.504.8464
susan@mediaprofile.com
Mary-Margaret Jones
Media Profile
416.504.8464
mary-margaret@mediaprofile.com
Media Contact in Quebec:
Eva Sogbanmu
Weber Shandwick
514.393.1180
esogbanmu@webershandwick.com