Five leading Canadian firms merge

Five of Canada's leading law firms have merged to create a 590-lawyer firm - making it the second largest practice in the country.

The new firm will be called Borden Ladner Gervais and brings together Howard Mackie in Calgary, McMaster Gervais in Montreal, Scott & Aylen in Ottawa, Borden & Elliot in Toronto and Ladner Downs in Vancouver.

Borden Ladner will be second in size only to McCarthy Tetrault, a Toronto-based firm with six other offices in the country.

Managing partner of the new firm Sean Weir says: "The creation of the firm responds to our clients needs for a consistently high level of expertise and service across Canada."

The firm will have particular strength in corporate and M&A work as well as IP and environmental law.

Instead of a head office, the five practices will set up a national council with representatives from all of the firms.