Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), a leading Canadian law firm, has recently made significant high-profile lawyer appointments to bolster its expertise across various practice areas. These strategic hires reflect BLG’s commitment to addressing complex and emerging legal challenges by integrating seasoned professionals with specialized knowledge and comprehensive experience. This article delves into the backgrounds and areas of expertise of these new team members, highlighting how their addition strengthens BLG’s legal capabilities.
Enhancing Privacy and Cyber Security Expertise
Hélène Deschamps Marquis: Leading the Charge
Hélène Deschamps Marquis has been appointed as the new national co-leader of BLG’s privacy and cyber security practice within the corporate and capital markets group. With over 25 years of experience, she joins from Deloitte, where she led the global cyber security leadership for Deloitte Legal. Her extensive expertise includes managing complex legal and business risks related to cyber security, information technology, privacy, and artificial intelligence. Over her career, Deschamps Marquis has adeptly handled breach and incident response, regulatory compliance, global data and privacy frameworks, and complex cross-border technology transactions. Her experience traverses multiple sectors, including energy, financial services, public sector, healthcare, and transportation, showcasing her versatility and comprehensive understanding of diverse industry requirements.
Joining from Deloitte, Deschamps Marquis’s addition to BLG signifies a substantial enhancement in the firm’s capabilities in addressing intricate issues surrounding cyber security and privacy. Her profound knowledge and experience provide clients with reliable guidance in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats and data privacy regulations. Her role involves assisting clients in building robust privacy programs, complying with regulatory standards, and managing responses to data breaches effectively. In light of the increasing importance of cyber security in today’s digital world, her leadership is poised to fortify BLG’s position as a frontrunner in providing top-tier legal services in this crucial domain.
Strengthening the Team with Matt Saunders and Claire Feltrin
Deschamps Marquis is joined by her team from Deloitte Legal, consisting of Matt Saunders and Claire Feltrin. Saunders, based in Montréal, specializes in cyber security and data privacy, focusing on internal privacy programs, incident response, crisis communications, and artificial intelligence in organizational resiliency. Saunders brings a wealth of experience in helping organizations fortify their privacy programs and develop effective strategies for incident response and crisis management. His expertise in artificial intelligence ensures that clients adeptly manage the intersection of AI and data privacy in enhancing organizational resiliency.
Claire Feltrin, based in Vancouver, has a distinguished background in digital innovation, the use of personal information, information technology, online safety matters, and crisis management. Her expertise encompasses working on complex legal challenges in the digital arena, providing clients with strategic advice on data use, IT security, and navigating online safety regulations. The addition of Saunders and Feltrin to BLG’s team underlines the firm’s strategic approach in assembling a robust legal team that can competently handle a wide array of issues in the realm of privacy and cyber security. Their joint expertise fortifies BLG’s ability to offer clients unparalleled advice and support in an increasingly digitized and regulated world.
Expanding Real Estate and Corporate Health Capabilities
Bianca Kratt: A Real Estate Powerhouse
Bianca Kratt, K.C., joins BLG’s commercial real estate team in Calgary with a distinguished career. As the vice president for the National Canadian Bar Association for 2024-2025 and set to be its president for 2025-2026, Kratt brings a wealth of experience and leadership to BLG. An Indigenous member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation, she previously worked at Parlee McLaws LLP as the practice group leader for its commercial, real estate, and banking group. Her extensive experience encompasses managing a wide array of real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, project development, and condominium projects. Kratt’s prowess in secured banking transactions and reviewing leases for shopping centers and office spaces further enhances BLG’s capabilities in providing comprehensive legal services in the real estate sector.
Kratt’s expertise also includes preparing and negotiating numerous commercial agreements, such as non-competition, non-solicitation, escrow, confidentiality, and license agreements. Her ability to navigate complex real estate transactions and secure banking deals provides clients with a significant advantage in efficiently handling legal matters related to commercial properties. Her addition to BLG bolsters the firm’s real estate practice, ensuring that clients receive top-notch legal services and strategic advice on various transactions and developments. Kratt’s extensive background and leadership roles underscore her commitment to excellence and the high level of expertise she brings to BLG’s real estate team.
Michael Campbell: Strengthening Corporate Health
Michael Campbell joins BLG’s corporate and capital markets group as counsel focusing on corporate health, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous role at Hamilton Health Sciences, where he served as general counsel. During his tenure, Campbell provided strategic advice on governance, risk management, health law, privacy, M&A, and commercial matters, playing a pivotal role in navigating the complex legal landscape of the healthcare sector. His addition to BLG enhances the firm’s ability to offer specialized legal services to hospitals and health service providers, ensuring they receive expert guidance in meeting regulatory requirements and managing legal risks effectively.
Campbell’s expertise in advising healthcare institutions on governance and risk management issues is invaluable in helping clients strategize and implement best practices for compliance and operational efficiency. His deep understanding of the intricacies of health law and privacy regulations ensures that BLG’s clients receive up-to-date and thorough advice on navigating these complex areas. With his extensive background in healthcare law, Campbell’s role at BLG strengthens the firm’s capabilities in addressing the unique legal challenges faced by the healthcare industry, ensuring clients receive comprehensive and proficient legal support.
Bolstering Disputes and Arbitration Expertise
Cecilia Hoover: Insurance Defense Specialist
Cecilia Hoover joins BLG’s disputes group in Calgary, bringing over 20 years of experience in insurance defense and coverage disputes. Having worked with global and domestic insurers, Hoover has handled a wide range of disputes involving commercial general liability, builders risk, errors and omissions policies, environmental liability, and commercial property policies. Her extensive background includes defending professionals in the construction industry and healthcare providers against negligence claims. Notably, Hoover is recognized for being the first Canadian lawyer to successfully argue the enforceability of an “e-waiver” in dismissing a negligence claim, showcasing her innovative approach to legal strategy and defense.
Hoover’s expertise in the insurance sector provides BLG with a significant edge in handling complex insurance disputes, offering clients strategic advice and representation to navigate these challenging legal issues. Her ability to manage litigation and liability claims ensures that clients are well-protected and equipped to deal with potential disputes effectively. Hoover’s addition to the team significantly bolsters BLG’s insurance defense capabilities, providing clients with experienced and tenacious legal representation in resolving intricate coverage disputes and defending against claims.
Haig Oghigian: Arbitration Authority
Haig Oghigian, FCIArb, joins BLG’s arbitration group as senior counsel, bringing over three decades of experience in commercial disputes related to joint ventures, distribution agreements, licensing, and more. Oghigian’s extensive background as an international arbitrator and arbitration counsel includes serving in numerous roles in both government and industry sectors. His involvement in high-stakes commercial disputes has provided clients with seasoned and strategic guidance in resolving complex arbitration cases, significantly strengthening BLG’s arbitration capabilities.
Oghigian’s role at BLG enhances the firm’s ability to offer expert arbitration services, ensuring clients receive proficient and strategic advice on managing and resolving disputes efficiently. His experience spans across various industries, providing BLG with a well-rounded expertise to serve its diverse clientele effectively. With Oghigian’s addition, BLG’s arbitration group is well-equipped to handle intricate commercial disputes and provide clients with tailored solutions to their legal challenges and conflicts.
Enhancing Labor and Employment and Construction Disputes
Agatha Suszek: Labor and Employment Advocate
Agatha Suszek joins BLG’s labor and employment group in Toronto with a distinguished background in representing both public and private sector employers. Suszek has been actively involved in wrongful dismissal actions, grievance arbitrations, and human rights applications, offering comprehensive legal support in labor and employment matters. Her expertise in navigating complex employment disputes enhances BLG’s capabilities, ensuring clients receive expert representation in various employment-related issues.
Suszek’s ability to provide strategic advice and representation in wrongful dismissal cases and grievance arbitrations ensures that employers receive thorough and proficient legal support. Her experience in handling human rights applications provides a well-rounded approach to addressing employment disputes and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Suszek’s addition to BLG fortifies the firm’s labor and employment practice, ensuring clients have access to top-tier legal services and expert guidance in effectively managing labor-related challenges.
Erica McLachlan: Construction Disputes Expert
Erica McLachlan joins BLG’s construction disputes group, bringing a wealth of experience in representing clients in complex construction litigation. McLachlan has successfully managed disputes related to project delays, contract breaches, and construction defects. Her expertise in advising clients on construction contracts and risk management strategies enhances BLG’s ability to offer comprehensive legal support in construction-related matters.
McLachlan’s addition to the team underscores BLG’s commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by clients in the construction industry. Her ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide strategic advice ensures that clients receive proficient representation and support in resolving disputes efficiently. McLachlan’s background in construction law fortifies BLG’s capabilities in delivering top-notch legal services to clients within the construction sector.
