Miller Thomson

1850s | The Origins

The roots of Miller Thomson can be found starting in the 1850s. Miller Thomson is, indeed, based on the mergers of multiples, well-respected Canadian law firms. In 1858 – W.H. Bowlby opens his practice on King Street, in what would become Kitchener-Waterloo (formerly known as Berlin). Afterwards, in 1876, Bowlby joins with Edwin Perry Clement and Frederick Colquhoun. A few years later, in 1895, the law firm Balfour Moss opens in Regina. At the same time, in 1898, Robert Lachlan McKinnon begins practicing in Guelph. In, 190, John M. Kearns founds a new firm in Arthur, Ontario. Thereafter, in 1906, Kearns moves his firm to Guelph.^[11]

1950s | The Creations

Back in 1950, Two Guelph firms forge a partnership to become the law firm Kearns McKinnon. One year later, in 1951, A. Hans Swinton and Douglas E. Andrews open Andrews & Swinton in Vancouver, British Columbia. Back on the west coast, Pouliot Mercure opens an office in Montréal, Quebec in 1952. In 1953, Cook Duke Cox opens in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1957, Miller, Thomson, Hicks & Sedgewick opens in Toronto, Ontario. In 1981, Miller Thomson creates a new office in Markham, Ontario. The same year, Balfour Moss establishes a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan office. A few years later, in 1987, Cook Duke Cox opens a new office in Calgary.^[12]

1990s | The Great Expansion & Absorbions

In 1990, Kitchener-Waterloo’s two oldest law firms — Clement, Eastman, Dreger, Martin and Meunier and Sims, McKinnon, Varey, Griggs and Trafford — merge to create Sims, Clement and Eastman. In, 1992, Miller Thomson mergers with Kingsmill Jennings (Toronto). One year later, the firm mergers with Wheatley MacPherson, another well-respected Canadian law firm based in Toronto. In the late 1990s, the firm absorbs the law firm Cook Duke Cox (from Edmonton and Calgary).^[13]

2000s | The National Expansion and Recognition

In 2000, Miller Thomson merges with Sawers, Liswood, Hickman, Bullivant, Dolan, Watts (Toronto) and Swinton & Company (Vancouver and Whitehorse). Then in 2001, the firm merges with Roberts & Baker (Vancouver). In 2002, the firm merges with Sims Clement and Eastman (Kitchener-Waterloo). In 2003, with Kearns McKinnon (Guelph). In 2005, Miller Thomson merges with Pouliot Mercure (Montréal). In 2006, Miller Thomson establishes its London, Ontario office.^[14]

2010s | Recent Mergers & Anniversaries

In 2011, the Miller Thomson merges with Balfour Moss (Regina and Saskatoon).^[15] In 2017, Miller Thomson opens its 12th office in Vaughan, Ontario.^[16]

Environmentally-Focused Measures

In 2008, Miller Thomson set up a National Sustainable Development Committee to improve its sustainability practices, and take environmentally-focused measures such as recycling used office and computer equipment, adding bins recycling, the creation of a battery recycling service, the replacement of all plastic bottles with reusable carafes and glasses, the saving of paper, the shutdown of electrical appliances when they are not in use, the promotion of videoconferences to replace business travel; and the preparation of a new protocol for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from air travel from one office to another. Miller Thomson would be one of the first Canadian law firms to benchmark its carbon footprint against ISO 14064, an internationally recognized standard.^[26]

Open Plan Concept Offices

As a leading and innovative law firm, the Vancouver's Office has relocated its branch to a new, open plan concept office space above the Nordstrom department store in the redeveloped Pacific Centre building.^[27] "For law firms such as Miller Thomson, gone are the days of broad oak desks hunkered in massive corner office suites guarded by receptionists. Instead, firms are opting for open spaces that promote technology, interaction and mobility", said Mike Walker, Miller Thomson’s managing director for B.C.^[28] Miller Thomson’s vision led the team back to one of the buildings they had originally viewed with Scarlett and Jordan a year prior: 725 Granville, a Cadillac Fairview Corporation redevelopment, then known as the future Canadian flagship location of upscale retailer Nordstrom. Signing on as the building’s first office tenant, the firm seized the "uncommon opportunity" to house its entire workforce on a single 48,000-square-foot floor – the 4th floor, to be exact – in a building on Georgia and Granville, ideally situated above two rapid transit lines in the heart of downtown Vancouver, blocks from the financial district where law firms typically locate.^[29] The multi-million dollar, 48,000 square foot center launched publicly on May 30 but has been in operation for eight weeks now. The firm’s entire Vancouver office now operates out of the centre, but had kept the move quiet until they were up and running and had "the bugs ironed out," says Mike Walker, Miller Thomson's managing partner for B.C.^[30]

Miller Thomson sought to have space reflect what the firm stands for and what sets it apart from the competition. "We see ourselves as part of the community and we take energy from collaborating with clients and from their resulting success. So our office had to cater to our clients," Walker explained. "We also wanted to be more prominent in the legal market itself with space that would get the competition talking about us and pique the interest of great lawyers at other firms with a similar perspective, energy and entrepreneurial spirit."^[31]

This move would essentially change the way Miller Thomson’s professionals work and serve clients, and make way for a workspace design never before seen in the North American legal industry.^[32]

List of Areas of Practice

European Law Practice & Partnership

Miller Thomson also developed a strong European law practice. More specifically over French M&A market. Since 2012, Business law firms Fidal and Miller Thomson, leaders in France and in Canada, respectively, who share common values and strategic vision, enter into a partnership agreement, concretizing a "best friends" relationship initiated in 2010. With this alliance, Fidal, is consolidating its legal and tax services offering in North America.^[33][34]

Pro Bono Practice

Miller Thomson’s Social Impact Group is the largest national team of legal experts in Canada dedicated to helping charities, non-profit organizations and social enterprises meet their legal needs and accelerate their social impact.^[35] Many clients from philanthropic foundations to active charities to member-based associations depend on Miller Thomson's expertise to deliver strategies that propel them ahead of changing regulations, effectively address general legal issues, and design innovative structures that unlock sustainable new sources of revenue. The Social Impact Group offers unmatched experience and expertise in Canada’s voluntary sector and beyond.^[36]

In 2018, Miller Thomson earned a top Band 1 ranking in Chambers Canada of its 2018 edition for Charities and Not-For-Profit group. According to Chambers Canada, the group is regarded for "its novel and innovative approach to complex matters arising within the charitable and non-profit market".^[37]

Miller Thomson Charitable Foundation

The Miller Thomson Foundation's National Scholarship Program awards scholarships worth $1,000 each to 200 Canadian students, bringing its total contribution to $1.95 million in bursaries to 1,950 students who have completed high school since 1995. Scholarships are designed to encourage and promote the achievement of higher education goals by Canadian students who have achieved excellent academic results and who have made outstanding contributions to their educational institution. to their community. They can be used to fund any field of study at any college or university in Canada.^[38]