Firms will combine to meet growing client needs in the Vancouver market

Bennett Jones and McCullough O’Connor Irwin (MOI) will join forces to give clients the combined benefit of two first class, client-focused, business law firms in Vancouver. The combination will double the size of Bennett Jones’ Vancouver office and be effective on June 1, 2018.

MOI is a Vancouver-based law firm focused exclusively on corporate and securities law matters. Bennett Jones is one of Canada’s premier business law firms with deep experience in complex transactions and litigation matters. It is an internationally recognized full-service law firm, serving clients in key global business centres.

“This is all about meeting growing client needs in the thriving Vancouver market,” says Hugh MacKinnon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bennett Jones. “MOI is a first class law firm and a leader in corporate finance, private equity and funds. This is one of Bennett Jones’ areas of strategic focus and so is Vancouver. We complement each other in client service, practice areas, vision and culture. It’s a very exciting day for our firms.”

MOI has served the Vancouver market for 25 years. It represents clients of all sizes across a broad range of industries in public and private equity and debt financings, M&A, securities regulatory compliance and corporate restructuring and governance. Its reputation and practice in corporate and securities law is recognized nationally and internationally.

“This is the next and natural step in our evolution,” says Jonathan McCullough, founding partner of MOI. “We built this firm and this practice from the ground up and Bennett Jones is the right firm to partner with at the right time. It has the reputation, the passion for excellence, the creativity and the collaborative culture that makes it a perfect fit for us. The opportunity to combine with an elite national firm will allow us to compete for mandates beyond our reach as a boutique and to take our practice to the next level.”

MOI’s clients will continue to receive the same high quality, responsive and efficient service as well as access to best-in-class tax, employment, competition, IP, real estate and litigation advice.

Bennett Jones’ Vancouver office is a standout firm in the city’s legal and business community. It provides a full range of services including corporate, commercial litigation, regulatory, corporate finance and securities, construction, real estate, infrastructure, Aboriginal, fraud law and environmental.

Radha Curpen, managing partner of Bennett Jones’ Vancouver office, will continue in her role. Jonathan McCullough will become co-head of Bennett Jones’ corporate department. Together, Bennett Jones and MOI will have 400 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices globally.

MOI was named one of the Top 10 Corporate Law Boutiques in Canada by Canadian Lawyer, one of the six most highly regarded law firms in Canada in the private funds area by Who’s Who Legal: Canada, and is the only boutique law firm to be ranked as “Highly Regarded” in Corporate Commercial in British Columbia in Chambers Canada.

Bennett Jones is consistently ranked as a leading firm with leading lawyers in Canadian and international legal directories, including Chambers Canada, Chambers Global, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The Legal 500. The firm was once again ranked an Aon Platinum Level Canada’s Best Employer, the highest level of recognition. This is the 17th consecutive year Bennett Jones has been a Best Employer.

About Bennett Jones

Bennett Jones is one of Canada's premier business law firms and home to more than 380 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices. With deep experience in complex transactions and litigation matters, the firm is well equipped to advise foreign businesses and investors with Canadian ventures, and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world.

About McCullough O’Connor Irwin

McCullough O’Connor Irwin is a Vancouver-based law firm focused exclusively on corporate and securities law matters. It provides the highest quality legal advice and representation for public and private equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, securities regulatory compliance and corporate restructuring and governance. The firm represents businesses of all sizes across a broad range of industries as well as investment dealers, institutional investors and other participants in capital markets.

Media Contact

Peter Zvanitajs
Senior Communications Advisor
Bennett Jones
T: 416 777 6128 | C: 437 999 6214
E: zvanitajsp@bennettjones.com
W: www.bennettjones.com