Bennett Jones LLP, one of Canada's leading business law firms, is pleased to announce that Michael Kergin, former Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America (2000 - 2005), has joined the firm as Senior Advisor.

Mr. Kergin has had a distinguished career in public service, which began when he joined the Department of External Affairs (now the Department of Foreign Affairs). He held various positions at the Foreign Affairs Department including Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister variously for International Organisations, Intelligence and Security and Americas. In 1998, the Prime Minister asked him to serve as his Foreign Policy Advisor and Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Foreign and Defence Policy. On leaving the Federal Government in 2005, Mr. Kergin was appointed by Premier McGuinty to act as the Special Advisor on Border Issues. He was later appointed Negotiator for Ontario in the Softwood Lumber dispute with the USA. Mr. Kergin is also a Senior Fellow of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Says Hugh MacKinnon, Chairman and CEO of Bennett Jones, "We are delighted to have Michael Kergin join the firm. His experience and understanding of public policy, foreign affairs issues and Canada-US border relations will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our new Public Policy Group."

Also joining the firm's Public Policy Group in early 2009 is Sheridan Scott, former Commissioner of the Competition Bureau of Canada and Chair of the International Competition Network.

On joining Bennett Jones, Mr. Kergin said, "I am greatly pleased to join Bennett Jones' distinguished Public Policy Group, and to assist in advising the firm's clients on matters relating to the United States and internationally, especially at this critical time."

Mr. Kergin will join David Dodge, Eddie Goldenberg, Sheridan Scott and John Jussup in the firm's Ottawa office, which will formally open in new office space overlooking Parliament Hill in early 2009.

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