Law firm merger to create legal giant

Practices in Winnipeg, Regina unite

A major legal industry merger is expected to create one of the largest teams of lawyers in Western Canada, with offices in every province from Manitoba to B.C.

MacPherson, Leslie & Tyerman LLP (MLT), which is headquartered in Regina, and Winnipeg-based Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP, announced Wednesday that they will combine to form MLT Aikins LLP effective Jan. 1, 2017.

“It is a natural move for us to join with Manitoba’s leading firm, Aikins, and together continue the expansive vision of building Western Canada’s Law Firm,” said MLT managing partner Don Wilson, who will take over as managing partner of the new firm.

“The western Canadian regional focus is consistent with clients’ increasing demand for more specialized legal services from those who fully understand their business in this market.”

The new firm will employ more than 240 lawyers practising in fields including corporate and commercial law, litigation, labour and employment and securities law. It will maintain offices in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

“As the world becomes smaller, this merger responds to an intensifying requirement from our clients to have access to a larger network of lawyers,

This merger responds to an intensifying requirement from our clients to have access to a larger network of lawyers.

offering specialized and in-depth expertise to meet their increasingly complex legal needs,” said incoming MLT Aikins chair David Filmon.

Founded in Regina in 1920, MLT is one of the province’s largest law firms, with approximately 140 lawyers and offices in Saskatchewan, as well as Alberta and B.C. Aikins, which was established in 1879, has about 100 lawyers.