Issue 6 2019

Acquisition International - Issue 6 2019 91 Oct18459 Joining Forces The recent merger of DS Lawyers and Regent Law looks set to transform the Canadian Legal industry as it creates a formidable force to be reckoned with. wo of Canada’s most respected boutique business law firms, DS Lawyers Canada and Regent Law, recently merged to become DS Lawyers Canada. The two firms share the same vision and values, centred on delivering sound business solutions and legal advice for their clients. This cohesive vision is what ties the companies together, solidifying this merger as a natural next step in each of their futures. DS Lawyers was founded in 2007, in Quebec City, and partnered with the DS Group in 2013. With four offices, located in Montreal, Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver, the firm specialises in business law, primarily taxation, mergers and acquisitions, and financing. In Canada, its multidisciplinary team offers a full range of legal services nationwide to a diversified, international clientele. Founded in 2012, Regent Law is a Toronto-based law firm borne out of an innovative need for a new legal paradigm. The Ottawa office comprises of a team of seasoned commercial litigation lawyers and savvy business counsel. Given the firm’s court room experience, it knows first-hand how strategies need to be developed and implemented at the front-end to avert litigation and formal restructuring proceedings. Regent’s clients come from a broad spectrum of businesses in the commercial and technology sectors. Regent is also poised to offer private international commercial law, trade law, competition law, and general procurement counsel advisory services to guide clients through the maze of domestic and foreign government export regulations. In 2018 Regent Law announced its joint alliance with Burstall LLP, Calgary’s premier boutique corporate law firm, to create a new ‘national’ boutique business law firm to serve sophisticated clients and entrepreneurs across Canada. This association reflects an alignment of the same business philosophies of lawyer accessibility, personal client contact towards developing individual relationships, low overhead, and customised solutions in delivering high quality legal advice backed by a comprehensive portfolio of business legal services. The merger of Regent Law and DS Lawyers will prove to be an asset to both domestic and international clients, as the services and experienced professionals at each law firm will now be accessible to all, ensuring an even wider scope of business and legal expertise are at the service of each firms clients. Their expertise in business law, banking, corporate governance, commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities, tax, as well as customs and trade law will serve each client’s needs. “This is a significant strategic accomplishment for both firms and represents another milestone in our growth,” says J.F. Welch, CEO of DS Lawyers. “Our shared philosophies and values, coupled with our combined expertise, will benefit our clients and allow us to further T “Our shared philosophies and values, coupled with our combined expertise, will benefit our clients and allow us to further fulfill our mutual objectives of continuing to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.” fulfill our mutual objectives of continuing to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.” “We are extremely proud to be creating a national boutique law firm dedicated to Canada’s business community,” says Justin R. Fogarty, chairman of Regent Law. “This continues our strategic growth that began with our successful alignment with Burstall LLP in Calgary, which remains intact going forward and which was the catalyst that led us to the DS leadership group. Our cohesive vision recognizes what entrepreneurs demand: a pathway to ‘Yes,’ anchored by innovative and solutions-based thinking.”