Claire Kennedy braves Antarctic peak in support of mental health
Bennett Jones LLP tax partner Claire Kennedy has scaled Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica and something of the world’s Seven Summits, as part of the True Patriot Love Foundation’s signature expedition in 2016.
With Kennedy were eight ill and injured soldiers and 17 Canadian business leaders, whose trip took these to an elevation of 16,050 feet.
“It is the most physically and mentally demanding thing I’ve ever done,” Kennedy said. “But Yes, it is relatively little to inquire about of myself compared to the physical and mental demands placed on anyone who has served within our Military.”
The journey raised more than $1 million for that foundation. Kennedy personally raised upwards of $109,000, more than twice her original goal. The funds will go toward supporting transition services, including mental health services, to combat the scourge of PTSD and other operational stress injuries in the armed forces.
A polar enthusiast, having travelled to Greenland and Svalbard earlier, Kennedy was also motivated to join the TPL expedition because she has a brother affected by mental illness. Consequently, she created a first-hand realization of the need for more awareness and research on mental health among Canadian civilians and soldiers.
Bennett Jones is TPL’s pro bono counsel.
Maureen Jensen appointed OSC Chair and CEO
On February 10, Maureen Jensen was appointed as Ontario Securities Commission Chair and Chief Executive Officer for any two-year term.
“This is a crucial time for our agency as we proceed with efforts to modernize capital markets regulation in Ontario and Canada,” Jensen said after her appointment. “The OSC will continue to aid the federal government of Ontario in establishing and developing the Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System.
At the same time, the OSC continues to pay attention to enhancing the retail investor experience, providing greater access to capital for businesses and strengthening our enforcement program through new tools for example no-contest settlements along with a whistleblower program.”
Jensen previously served for five years as OSC Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer.
Financial Services Expert returns to BLG
Olivier Tardif, formerly with the National Bank of Canada, has returned to Borden Ladner Gervais LLP like a partner within the financial services group in Montreal.
Tardif’s practice focuses on corporate finance, secured transactions, restructuring and the regulating financial institutions. He represents financial institutions and borrowers regarding the public and private financing, project financing, syndicated and cross-border loans, and alternative financing through asset-based lending, leasing and structured finance.
Joel Richler joins ADR ranks
Joel Richler has retired as an active partner after 35 years like a litigation and arbitration counsel with Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP. He is now pursuing a brand new practice being an independent arbitrator and mediator away Street Chambers in Toronto.
Richler’s experience encompasses contract, partnership, shareholder rights, construction, professional negligence, procurement, property, technology and intellectual property disputes. He is around the Canadian and International rosters of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, along with a member of the ICC International Arbitration Committee, the ADR Institute of Canada, and the The united states Users’ Counsel from the London Court of International Arbitration.
He is also a founding Member (and current Director) of the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society, and a Fellow from the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.
Blakes partners with Mars LegalX
Blake Cassels & Graydon has announced a sponsorship arrangement with LegalX, the legal technology cluster at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.
The sponsorship will give you Blakes with early use of emerging legal technologies. Blakes and LegalX may also be launching a Global Legal Innovation Challenge in which they will define a frightening issue facing the practice of law in large-firm settings, and can work with the international legal technology community to seek a practical solution.
