Lawyer as entrepreneur
Generally, people don’t think of lawyers as entrepreneurs. Lawyers are professionals working at a firm. And entrepreneurs are launching new ideas and hustling for capital and customers.
“Yes, I do consider myself entrepreneurial,” said Kelowna lawyer Andrew Brunton.
“As one of 17 partners at Pushor Mitchell, I’m part owner of a thriving firm with over 100 employees. I’m thinking of ways to expand revenue and handle human resources.”
As a business and real estate lawyer, Brunton is also constantly working with entrepreneurial clients and helps with business advice as well as legal counsel.
As chairman of the Pushor Mitchell’s business development committee, Brunton’s goal is to come up with strategies to promote the firm’s name and attract more clients.
“Obviously, you need to do excellent work for your existing customers,” said Brunton.
“And, if you do that, you’ll get referrals. That’s a huge part of how we grow. But more always has to be done.”
As such, the business development committee has struck a partnership with Accelerate Okanagan to help companies in the rapidly growing technology sector.
“We offer free 45-minute consultations for small and start-up tech businesses,” said Brunton.
“If the company becomes a client in the future, that’s great.”
Pushor Mitchell, and Brunton, have quite a few tech clients.
The law firm also helps sectors and lands clients via similar alliances with other industry organizations.
Brunton, and all lawyers at the firm, also network extensively and cross-refer with bankers and
Editor’s Note: Every week in this space with we profile a business person under the age of 40 who is finding success in their career and making a difference. The series is presented by BDO Accountants and Consultants, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and The Daily Courier. Nominations can be made through the form at KelownaChamber.org. accountants so they can help clients with whatever services they need.
Pushor Mitchell has its name on Kelowna’s Apple Triathlon as the title sponsor and also funds bursaries with UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College.
The firm also encourages its lawyers to be involved in the community by joining the boards of organizations and volunteering.
Soon after moving from Toronto to Kelowna in 2008 and starting at Pushor Mitchell, Brunton joined the board of the Downtown Kelowna Association.
He spent six years on the board, including 2011-12 as president.
“It was during the Bernard Avenue closures for utility upgrading and revitalization that I was president,” said Brunton.
“That was a tough time for downtown, but when it was finished it was fantastic. Downtown Kelowna is so much the better for it and it shows in how exciting it is to be a business owner, resident, visitor or tourist downtown right now.”
Paul Mitchell nominated Brunton for Top Forty Under 40.
“Technically, Paul is my co-worker, not my boss, because we are both partners in the firm,” said Brunton.
“But, he is the Mitchell in Pushor Mitchell and he is respected greatly in the community, so having him nominate me is obviously a thrill.”
Brunton earned his bachelor of commerce degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. and his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University in Toronto. Brunton also has a busy home life. His wife, Simone, is an accountant and chartered business valuator with Grant Thornton in Kelowna.
The couple has two children, Cooper, 7, a soccer player, and Peyton, 4, a dancer.
They ski as a family together in the winter and Brunton and his wife golf in the summer.
“We don’t have the kids golfing, yet,” he said with a laugh.