Gowling WLG is pleased to announce that its partners Elizabeth Burton and Daniel Cole, along with Gowling WLG alumna Jaimie Lickers, have been named among Lexpert's 2020 "Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40."

Presented annually, the Rising Stars awards honour Canadian lawyers under the age of 40 who are at the top of the legal profession. Finalists are nominated by their peers on criteria such as leadership, professional achievements, business acumen, adaptability, teamwork and interpersonal skills.

"Elizabeth, Daniel and Jaimie are outstanding lawyers who have all accomplished a great deal early in their careers," said James Buchan, Gowling WLG Canada's firm managing partner, clients. "We'd like to congratulate them on this extraordinary achievement and on their many significant contributions to the success of our clients."

Elizabeth (Beth) Burton

Head of the Financial Institutions & Services Group in Gowling WLG's Calgary office, Beth Burton has extensive experience representing lenders and borrowers in complex financing and restructuring transactions.

Working across a range of diverse industries, she continues to play a principal role in expanding the firm's scope of work across new areas of its lending, restructuring and commercial practice.

"Beth's dedication and forward thinking together with her high integrity and work ethic make her someone that I will always recommend if they want things done right. She consistently exhibits great skills and knowledge with a friendly yet direct approach that is refreshing."
- Antuane Azpur, Director, Loan Syndications, ATB Financial

Daniel (Dan) Cole

Dan Cole, Canadian head of the firm's Advertising & Regulatory Group, serves as one of the country's leading counsel on all aspects of advertising law. His practice encompasses marketing and regulatory law matters related to social media, contests, packaging and labelling, e-commerce law, and promotional copy.

In recent years, Cole has developed a formidable automotive advertising law practice, which finds him providing comprehensive, practical and strategic advice to many automotive manufactures, dealer groups and their advertising agencies.

"Daniel demonstrates the speed and responsiveness demanded by today's fast moving digital economy, all wrapped up in a genuinely friendly and warm personality. He always provides innovative and practical solutions to thorny problems and proactively suggests new approaches that are consistent with our corporate culture."
- Meghan Robertson, senior legal counsel, Toyota Canada

Jaimie Lickers

Jaimie Lickers, now vice president of Indigenous markets at CIBC, was the former Canadian leader of Gowling WLG's Indigenous Law Group. Lickers was the first Indigenous woman admitted to the firm's partnership and the first Indigenous person to hold a management position.

During her 10 years at Gowling WLG, Lickers worked closely with First Nations groups across Canada on a variety of demanding and frequently high-profile matters. She was particularly instrumental in landmark Federal and Supreme Court decisions concerning the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation enrollment process and the role of regulatory bodies in fulfilling the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous peoples.

"[Jaimie] played a vital role in building our Indigenous law practice and fostering its reputation across Canada. Her commitment to the firm, clients and community drove substantial growth within our national practice. She is a sought-after lawyer that we admire and trust."
- Tina Woodside-Shaw, Gowling WLG Canada's firm managing partner, people

A complete list of all this year's winners can be found in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy & Rising Stars, which will be published with the Globe and Mail on Nov. 16 and available online Nov. 17.