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Chart Toppers: McCarthy Tétrault is the Only Canadian Law Firm to Enter Chambers Global Top 10 in North America

TORONTO, May 2002 –McCarthy Tétrault is the only Canadian law firm to enter the Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers, “Top Ten Firms in North America,” upholding its reputation as one of the continent’s premier law firms. According to Chambers Global, McCarthy Tétrault “is a respected firm with an excellent reputation, and its performance across the full range of practice areas brings this Canadian giant into the North American top 10.”

McCarthy Tétrault also emerged the “victor” as the Canadian firm selected in a survey by clients as Best Business Law Firm of the Year. Impressed by its “fine pedigree,” the survey found McCarthy Tétrault to be “one of the country’s most respected legal brands” servicing “a glittering array of prestigious clients” and “continuously involved in some of the most sophisticated deals.”

The dedication and considerable talents of McCarthy Tétrault’s practitioners are acknowledged year after year by the firm’s enviable position in Chambers Global. McCarthy Tétrault is one of the few Canadian firms named in the directory’s Top Global Law Firms, with a total of 30 leading lawyers recommended overall. Consistently among the top five Canadian firms in banking and finance, communications, corporate/M&A, energy and natural resources, litigation and tax, the firm continues to have the most practitioners selected for Star/Band 1 rankings.

The firm is known for the “across the board strength” of its banking and finance group. Team members Barry Ryan, “a tremendous banking and finance player,” Henry J.P. Wiercinski, and Michel J. Deschamps, a “knowledgeable and creative solutions man,” are recommended highly. 

Chambers Global acknowledges the corporate/M&A team for high profile work on “big-ticket cross-border transactions.” Key members of the group, Garth M. Girvan and René Sorell feature among the top Bands. 

The Montréal office is regarded as “the firm’s heartland” for competition/anti-trust law by Chambers Global. Yves Bériault is characterized as the firm’s “major strength in this area” in addition to being “the best in Québec.” Madeleine Renaud and Yves Comtois also garnered high rankings in this field. 

McCarthy Tétrault is respected for its “strong and deep” litigation practice. According to the directory, the litigation team has “horses for all courses” and is regarded as “responsive and business-oriented” by clients. The “bright as hell” Thomas Heintzman Q.C., is joined by Paul F. Morrison, Michael Barrack and Paul Steep, making up a team that garners substantial market endorsement.

Chambers Global ranks McCarthy Tétrault in the first tier of excellence for communications and real estate. Anchored by the “knowledgeable and articulate” Hank Intven, and the “father of Canadian broadcasting law,” Peter S. Grant, the communications team is known for its “visionary planning” in this sector. Joined by key members of the group, Anthony Keenleyside and Lorne Salzman, the group has held leading status for three consecutive years (2000–2002). 

According to Chambers Global “it is in real estate that the firm stands truly alone.” Described by clients as the “only firm I’d hire,” McCarthy Tétrault is considered to have “Canada’s number one real estate team.” Fielding two of the country’s leading real estate practitioners, Bram Costin and Gordon Sato, the team is admired for its “strong national presence.” The “top-drawer skill set” of deal-oriented lawyers Fred Rubinoff, Peter Quinn and Danny Grandilli complement the practice.

The firm’s tax lawyers are described as a “force” on cross-border matters and acknowledged for their strength in dispute resolution. Douglas S. Ewens is recommended as “a complete lawyer” respected for his “sound judgment.” Judith M. Woods, Gabrielle M.R. Richards, Rosemarie Wertschek Q.C. and Jerald Wortsman are also ranked highly.

The energy and natural resources team impressed researchers with its “profile for super transactions.” Considered “unbeatable at project development and financing across the energy sector,” the practice “enjoys a special niche in U.S. projects work.” Robert Depoe and Clifford Johnson were recognized as leading members of the team.

Chambers Global is a guide to the leading law firms and lawyers throughout the world. Its ranking system is based on independent research compiled from the recommendations of thousands of leading practitioners and clients world-wide on who the best lawyers are in a number of specialist practice areas.

For more information on the leading international law firms and lawyers see: Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers 2002-2003, or log onto the Chambers website at www.chambersandpartners.com.

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