Heenan Blaikie’s partners have decided to proceed with an orderly windup of the firm’s operations, which is expected to take up to a few months.
A number of partners have recently jumped to the firm’s competitors and reportedly faced revenue pressure from its clients.
“This decision follows an in-depth analysis of the available restructuring options in the current context of Canada’s legal services market,” according to a statement from the firm.
It says an orderly windup will make it possible to continue serving its clients without interrupting or disrupting service and to ensure a harmonious transfer of their files to other law firms.
Several practice groups and even entire offices will continue to operate under new names. Most of the labour law team in Vancouver will set up a new firm to be called Gall Legge Grant Munroe LLP. And many labour and employment lawyers have joined rival firms over the past few days.
Heenan Blaikie was founded in 1973 and has nine offices in Canada and one in Paris.