Davis LLP - News

Davis LLP Donates $34,000 to Haiti Relief Efforts

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST

Although news reports on Haiti have been recently displaced by Olympic headlines, the plight of the Haitian people who suffered the magnitude-seven earthquake is never far from our minds.

Davis LLP is pleased to report it has raised $34,000 for the Haiti relief effort. Individuals lawyers and staff members donated $17,000, and the firm matched their donations, bringing the Davis total to $34,000.

In addition to the amount donated by the Davis community, the federal government has committed to matching individual donations as well, which brings the grand total to $51,000.

The firm will provide its donation to the Canadian Red Cross in support of the organization's work to rebuild Haiti.

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Montreal Additions Make Big Splash

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:23:00 EST

The arrival of Davis LLP's three new partners and four associates in the Montreal office has been accompanied by a lot of media attention. Given the calibre of the the group, the attention isn't surprising. Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre, Marc Philibert, Melanie Martel, Annie Claude Beauchemin, Ayman Daher and Julien Archambault are exceptionally talented legal advisors and we are very happy to have them in the Davis family.

Below is a list of media coverage to date:

The Gazette, February 19:

"Davis Expands its Office in Montreal"

Davis LLP, a national law firm with strong roots in Western Canada, rolled out a surprise expansion of its tiny Montreal office this week as part of a plan to capture more local legal business and consolidate its growing national practice by having a fortified presence in Quebec.

Click here to read more.

La Presse, February 18:

"Sept avocats quittent BCF"

(Montreal) Branle-bas de combat cette semaine chez BCF, qui voit sept de ses avocats claquer la porte pour la concurrence.

Il s'agit des associes Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre et Marc Philibert, de mÃªme que les avocats Melanie Martel, Annie Claude Beauchemin, Ayman Daher et Julien Archambault.

Click here to tead more.

Globe & Mail, February 17:

"On the Move"

Meanwhile, Davis LLP announced yesterday that seven new lawyers have joined the firm in its Montreal office, among them three new partners: Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre, and Marc Philibert, all from Montreal's BCF LLP.

Click here to read more.

National Post, February 16:

"Davis land BCF insolvency team"

British Columbia-based Davis LLP continues its eastward push by raiding the Quebec law firm BCF. Davis says it has landed seven BCF lawyers, including three partners, Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre and Marc Philibert, and their four associates. Mr. Fortin and Mr. Sibre are insolvency lawyers [Mr. Fortin was co-head of the insolvency and restructuring team], while Mr. Philibert maintains a business law practice.

Click here to read more.

Les Affaires, February 16:

"Hemorragie chez BCF"

Le cabinet d'avocats BCF de Montreal a vu sept de ses avocats claquer la porte pour la concurrence.

Ces departs concernent directement les associes Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre et Marc Philibert. Les avocats Julien Archambault, Melanie Martel, Annie Claude Beauchemin et Ayman Daher ont egalement suivi.

Click here to read more.

Droit-Inc., February 16:

"Sept avocats quittent BCF"

Il s'agit des associes Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre et Marc Philibert, de mÃªme que les avocats Melanie Martel, Annie Claude Beauchemin, Ayman Daher et Julien Archambault.

Click here to read more.

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Davis LLP Continues National Expansion with Addition of Three Partners and Four Associates to Montreal Office

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST

Robert Seidel, Q.C., is very pleased to announce that three prominent Montreal lawyers have joined Davis LLP. Jean-Yves Fortin, Hubert Sibre and Marc Philibert are the firm's newest partners, each bringing a wealth of talent and experience to the firm. In addition, they are accompanied by four accomplished associates, who will add their legal savvy to a range of practice groups at Davis.

"Our ongoing growth across the country continues to establish Davis as a national firm that offers the depth and expertise required to provide clients with first-tier service in all areas of law in all major Canadian business centres. With the addition of seven lawyers in Montreal, our presence there is greatly enhanced," says Robert Seidel, Q.C., National Managing Partner at Davis LLP.

"Davis is clearly a firm that is committed to growing its expertise," says Jean-Yves Fortin. "In particular, the newly formed Business Solutions & Restructuring Group is now establishing itself as a leading team in Canada, and I look forward to being a part of its collaborative approach to client services."

Mr. Fortin is a leader in the field of insolvency and restructuring law. He has been involved in most of the major workouts in insolvency and restructuring in the Montreal region and in Canada for the last 35 years. He advises clients, who include both debtors and lenders in a variety of insolvency situations, on matters related to corporate reorganizations, foreclosures, bankruptcy, receiverships and loan workout situations. Mr. Fortin has received numerous accolades from the legal and insolvency communities, including fellowships and best-lawyer designations.

Hubert Sibre has an impressive practice that focuses primarily on sureties, litigation and insolvency. His roster of clients includes financial institutions, suppliers, investors and businesses dealing with high-risk situations. Mr. Sibre has authored and co-authored several books and articles on restructuring, insolvency and credit. In addition to his formidable legal practice, Mr. Sibre's expertise is frequently sought by academic institutions.

Marc Philibert has a broad business law practice, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing, corporate reorganizations, private equity financing and management buy-outs. Mr. Philibert works with small, medium and large enterprises, institutional and private investors (including venture capital investors), and universities. He is a member of the board of directors of two well-recognized non-profit organizations in Quebec.

The four talented associates who have joined Davis are Melanie Martel, Annie Claude Beauchemin, Ayman Daher and Julien Archambault, who bring expertise in the field of insolvency and restructuring, as well as numerous other legal disciplines. Please click on their names for more information.

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Competition, Antitrust and Litigation Lawyer, Kevin Wright Comments in Legal Post on Franchise Class Actions

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:51:00 EST

February 10, 2010: In an article in the Legal Post in the Financial Post about franchise class actions, J. Kevin Wright discusses why franchise owners are suing their parent companies.

Quoted from the article:

Kevin Wright, a Vancouver partner in the competition, antitrust and litigation group at Davis LLP, points out that many franchise class actions include alleged violations of federal competition and antitrust laws.

"Because franchises present commonalities in the contract, they are prone to class actions," says Mr. Wright.

The rest of the article can be found at:

Franchise class actions on the rise, by Daryl-Lynn Carlson, Financial Post (Legal Post), Published: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Donald Campbell to Mentor PhD Student through Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:15:00 EST

Donald W. Campbell is one of 10 highly-experienced Canadian leaders chosen to mentor doctoral students who have been awarded the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship.

The Trudeau Mentors, who have backgrounds in government, business, the arts, Aboriginal communities and public policy, will provide "a uniquely experienced reality check" to the research being conducted by the Trudeau Scholars, to ensure the students' work is "applicable and actionable to the needs and concerns expressed by society."

Mr. Campbell, who was formerly the Executive Vice-President of CAE Inc., Canadian Ambassador to Japan, and Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, possesses extensive knowledge of international relations and business with Japan and Asia.

To view the Trudeau Foundation's media release, please see the attached document.

Click here to view Donald Campbell's biography.

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Calgary Office Strengthens its Securities Team

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:23:00 EST

Davis LLP is pleased to announce Cherry Jiang, Michael Der, Peter Soby and Leigh Stewart have joined the firm's national Corporate Securities team. Each member brings a range of expertise to the Calgary office, which is consistently adding both new and seasoned talent to its roster.

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Robert Seidel interviewed on Alberta Primetime with Minister Doug Horner

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:10:00 EST

The firm's National Managing Partner, Robert Seidel, Q.C., recently appeared on Alberta Primetime to discuss the province's new research and innovation initiative. "Alberta Innovates" is designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the areas of bio solutions, energy and environment, health and technology. As Chair of Health Solutions for Alberta Innovates, Mr. Seidel was interviewed alongside Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, and Dr. Marvin Fritzler, Chair of the Alberta Research and Innovation Authority.

Click here to view the interview.

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Vancouver Sun: 2 Opposition MPs Urge PM to Insist that Olympics Include Female Ski Jumpers

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST

January 6, 2010: In an article in the Vancouver Sun, two MPs are calling on Canada's Prime Minister to intervene in the dispute over the exclusion of female ski jumpers at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Liberal Joyce Murray, MP for Vancouver Quadra and New Democrat Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East want the Prime Minister to contact International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and find a solution enabling Olympic organizers to host a female competition next month.

In the article, Liberal Joyce Murray, MP for Vancouver Quadra, asserts the Government of Canada, "as partners in the Games, are complicit in the violation of human rights and blatant discrimination as identified by our courts.

"The prime minister needs to step in and say to the IOC president, 'This is unacceptable in Canada; we will not permit it. You need to reverse your decision. Either men and women compete or neither compete.'"

In December, 2009, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear the appeal of 14 women ski jumpers who have been excluded from the 2010 Winter Olympics. The courts' decision marks the end of the legal road for the jumpers but the women continue to gain support around the world.

To view the article, click here.

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Robert Seidel Appears in "Alberta Innovates" Video

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:57:00 EST

Davis LLP's National Managing Partner, Robert Seidel, Q.C., was recently appointed Chair of Health Solutions for Alberta Innovates. The province's research and innovation system was launched this month, along with a website featuring a brief promotional video on the program. Mr. Seidel appears with Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, Doug Horner, and prominent researchers, innovators and business leaders to discuss the potential within Alberta "to invent, invest, collaborate, research and turn ideas into products."

Click here to view the video

Click here to go to the Alberta Innovates' website.

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Globe and Mail Law Page: Chris Bennett Comments on Law Firm Blogging

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:48:00 EST

January 6, 2010: In an article on the Globe and Mail Law Page about online blogging, Chris Bennett discusses Davis' active online presence.

Quoted from the article:

"Unlike Ogilvy, some large Canadian law firms run blogs linked directly from their own websites. Perhaps the most active is Vancouver-based Davis LLP, which runs a network with six separate blogs. Davis partner Chris Bennett was a pioneer, launching a niche blog on video game law early in the decade.

"One of our clients pointed out we were doing all this cutting-edge legal work, but not communicating with the world the way people in the industry do. We got a lot of publicity and clients from it," Mr. Bennett says."

Read the complete article at Tentative steps into the blogosphere by Karim Bardeesy and Tara Perkins, Globe and Mail, Wednesday, Jan. 06, 2010.

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Chris Bennett Named on BIV's Forty Under 40 List

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:18:00 EST

Business in Vancouver (BIV) recently released the names of forty up-and-coming business leaders for 2009 and Davis LLP's Chris Bennett is on the list.

Mr. Bennett received accolades for spearheading one of the world's first video game and entertainment law practice groups and for authoring the first video-game law blog associated with a national law firm.

To read the BIV write up on Mr. Bennett, please view the attached file.

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Women Ski Jumpers Continue to Gain Support

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:14:00 EST

The League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith Canada has released a statement urging the IOC and VANOC to reconsider the exclusion of the female athletes from the upcoming Games. In a letter to VANOC, the Executive Vice President of B'nai Brith Canada, Frank Dimant, noted, "Surely, on the eve of 2010, gender discrimination has no place in the Olympics. It certainly has no place in Canada."

Attached below is the letter B'nai Brith Canada sent to John Furlong, CEO of VANOC.

To view the full press release from B'nai Brith Canada,click here.

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Ski Jumpers' Dreams Come to an End

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST

For the past two years, Davis LLP has had the privilege of representing 15 female ski jumpers in their fight to be included in the 2010 Winter Olympics. This morning came the disappointing news that the Supreme Court Of Canada would not hear the jumpers' appeal. The 2010 Winter Olympics will proceed with three ski jumping events for men but none for women.

Regardless of this outcome, the female ski jumpers are to be commended for their strength, determination and bravery.

"I admire these young women tremendously," says D. Ross Clark, Q.C., litigation team leader. "It takes guts to stand up to an international organization and demand equality. These women knew they were being wronged and their courage never wavered."

Davis involvement began when Clark heard about the plight of the female ski jumpers through an American colleague. Intrigued, Clark approached the firm about taking on the case on a pro bono basis. The Firm quickly put its support behind the female athletes and a lawsuit was launched.

"It was an exciting case to work on," says Jeffrey Horswill, another key lawyer on the case. "I think everyone was impressed with these women and this case certainly brought attention to the issue of gender equality in sports. We're not quite there yet but we are making progress."

Davis has a long tradition of taking on cases where justice and equality are at stake. One of the most significant battles for equality waged by Davis was the fight for justice for Japanese-Canadians who were interned during World War II and whose rights continued to be trampled by deportation orders handed down after the war's conclusion. This fight for justice ultimately resulted in a successfull settlement with government.

The Davis team, led by Ross Clark, Jeff Horswill and Monika Gehlen, is proud of the impact this case will have on future Olympic events.

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Davis LLP Wins ACQ Project Finance Law Firm of the Year

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:47:00 EST

Davis LLP has won Canada's Project Finance Law Firm of the Year Award for 2009 by ACQ Finance Magazine. The ACQ Law Awards are presented across all geographical areas the business magazine reaches including: the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, India, and China. The awards are voted on by industry peers. Davis is being saluted as one of a handful of firms that has "performed to exceptional levels during the most difficult period the global economy has experienced for decades."

For award details, please click on the link below.

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Davis client, Rubicon Minerals Corporation, added to S&P/TSX Composite Index

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST

Rubicon Minerals Corporation has been added to the Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index, effective from December 21, 2009. Rubicon, a Vancouver-based exploration and development company, focuses on exploring for gold in politically safe jurisdictions with high geological potential.

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Women Ski Jumpers Ask Supreme Court of Canada for Permission to Appeal

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:41:00 EST

The women ski jumpers are taking their fight to compete in the 2010 Olympics to Canada's highest court.

Ross Clark, Q.C., lead lawyer on the Davis team representing the ski jumpers, announced they will apply to the Supreme Court of Canada for permission to appeal the decision of the lower courts. The 14 ski jumpers, who are seeking inclusion in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, lost their first appeal in November.

Clark said that he believes their argument has been misunderstood and stressed the case is not just about women ski jumpers, but concerns the interpretation and application of the Charter, as well as gender discrimination.

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Notes from Copenhagen

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST

Davis LLP's "Rising Star," Jennifer Cleall, is attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December and will post updates from the convention on the Davis LLP Climate Change Blog.

Jennifer was recently named a "Rising Star, Leading Lawyer Under 40" by Lexpert magazine. Jennifer practises in the areas of energy, environment and resources law and has developed a highly successful practice in the emerging area of clean energy technology and climate change law. She has implemented models for the administration of the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund and advised on the establishment of the regulatory funding framework for Alberta's Climate Change and Emissions Management Act. Jennifer advises the internationally unique Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation, an independent organization with a mandate to enhance energy resources through green initiatives. These initiatives include funding the development of clean energy technologies, the greening of energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation resulting in the enhancement of the economic and environmental value of energy resources and contributions to a green economy, and the creation of green jobs.

Jennifer is also a primary and prolific contributor to Davis' Climate Change Blog and her analysis of environmental and legislative issues regularly elicits the interest of reporters and writers from across the country.

From December 7 - 18, 2009, political leaders will assemble in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As the leaders discuss climate change and the development of international solutions to address climate change, Jennifer will be on hand to offer regular updates and analysis of the conference through the Davis LLP Climate Change Blog.

Click here to go to the Davis Climate Change Blog where Jennifer has posted her notes.

Click here to subscribe and stay up-to-date on Jennifer's posts on the Davis Climate Change Blog.

Click here to go to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website.

Click here for the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation website.

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Robert Seidel, Q.C., appointed Chair of Health Solutions for Alberta Innovates

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:18:00 EST

November 18, 2009 - Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, Doug Horner, has announced the names of five people chosen to lead Alberta's research and innovation system beginning in January 2010. Robert Seidel, Q.C., National Managing Partner of Davis LLP, was appointed Chair of Health Solutions, which will take effect in the new year, when five new Alberta Innovates agencies come into being.

The full list of appointments is below:

* Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions: Art Froehlich, Partner and Strategic Advisor, AdFarm

* Alberta Innovates - Energy and Environment Solutions: Eric Newell, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Alberta

* Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions: Robert A. Seidel, Q.C., National Managing Partner, Davis LLP

* Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures: Ron Triffo, Chair, Stantec Inc.

* Alberta Research and Innovation Authority: Dr. Marvin Fritzler, Arthritis Society Research Chair, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary

Mr. Seidel is based in Davis LLP's Edmonton office. He has extensive experience in all aspects of Corporate/Commercial/M&A law, Real Estate law, Environmental law, Energy law, Forestry law, Commercial Lending and Infrastructure & Project Finance. He works with clients in both the private and public sectors, providing legal and strategic business advice to executives, boards and elected officials.

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Davis client, Southern Pacific Resource Corp., Closes CDN $89 Million Acquisition and Financing

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:51:00 EST

On November 3, 2009, Southern Pacific Resource Corp. acquired all of the securities of Senlac Oil Ltd. from a major oil and gas company, for closing cash consideration of approximately $89,000,000. Senlac Oil Ltd.'s operations include a thermal heavy oil production project and associated lands and facilities in Saskatchewan that are currently producing approximately 5,100 barrels of oil per day.

In connection with the transaction, on October 23, 2009 Southern Pacific issued 104,000,000 subscription receipts, each representing the right to receive one common share, for gross proceeds of $52,000,000. The proceeds of the offering were applied to satisfy part of the purchase price payable for the acquisition of Senlac Oil Ltd.

Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, Southern Pacific entered into a credit facility provided by BMO Bank of Montreal and to finance a portion of the purchase price payable in the transaction.

Davis LLP represented Southern Pacific for the acquisition of Senlac Oil Ltd., the private placement and the debt offering. Davis' team was led by Trevor Wong-Chor and included Derrick K. Auch, Michael Der and Jonathan Brown, Douglas G. Shields, Dr. Euan Taylor, Jonathan Gilhen and J. Kevin Wright, Robert Perrin and Brian Yaworski, Q.C.

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Olympic Torch finds home at Davis LLP

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:15:00 EST

Vancouver - The BC Court of Appeal delivered its decision November 13th on whether or not the female ski jumping event should be included in the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The Court ruled against inclusion, crushing the Olympic hopes of the skiers, but not their spirit. As a testament to the tremendous advocacy and support shown by the Davis team, the female ski jumpers offered an Olympic torch to their lawyers in a display of gratitude.

"I admire these young women tremendously," says Ross Clark, Q.C., litigation team leader. "It takes guts to stand up to an international organization and demand equality. These women knew they had been wronged and their courage never wavered."

Davis involvement began two years ago when Clark heard about the plight of the female ski jumpers through an American colleague. Intrigued, Clark approached the firm about taking on the case pro bono. The firm quickly put its support behind the female athletes and a lawsuit was launched.

"It was an exciting case to work on," says Jeffrey Horswill, another key lawyer on the case. "I think everyone was impressed with these women and the case certainly brought attention to the issue of gender equality in sports. We're not quite there yet but we are making progress."

Davis LLP is proud of the impact this case will have on future Olympic events and of the lawyers who devoted their time to such a worthy cause. They are D. Ross Clark, Q.C., Jeffrey Horswill, Monika Gehlen, Morgan Burris, Duncan Shaw, Q.C., Karen Leung, Sheila Tucker, Rebecca R. von Rti, Cynthia Millar, Tamara Hunter, Emma Ferguson, Ingrid Otto, Chris Bennett, Michael Carroll, Q.C., and Samuel Schwartz. A number of students also worked diligently on the case, including Heather Burgi, Dan Chapman, Ashley Cochrane, Tricia Daykin, Dmitry Shevalev, Steven Slazyk and Julia Staszewski.

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