As part of its mission to be more connected to the community it serves as the city's largest law firm, Gowling WLG's Hamilton office recently welcomed more than 230 guests for its first-ever Hamilton Community Summit.
Bringing together staff, lawyers, clients and local partners, the Community Summit explored how the office's efforts to build deeper connections with - and between - its clients and the broader Hamilton community have accelerated success for all.
The Community Summit featured an exciting line-up of speakers who covered a number of important topics, such as building the city's future workforce, fostering a culture of innovation and showcasing the passion and commitment that help our city shine:
- Cesare Di Donatio, Executive Director of the Industry-Education Council of Hamilton, and Jeremy Bout, President & Founder of Edge Factor, gave a presentation on how they are working together to educate and engage Hamilton's future workforce.
- Carmela Trombetta, VP Hamilton Commercial Financial Services at RBC Royal Bank, introduced an inspiring session featuring Gowling WLG Hamilton's support for local causes and organizations, sparking positive social impact in our community.
- Clare Freeman, Executive Director, and Danielle Zuchett, Director of Development and Community Relations, gave a touching presentation on the work they are doing at the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton, and shared plans to establish a specialized children's hospice in partnership with Gowling WLG Hamilton.
- Along with other members of the Hamilton 100 executive, PJ Mercanti, President and CEO, provided an overview of plans for the bid to bring the 2030 Commonwealth Games home to Hamilton, where the Games began in 1930.
- Keynote speaker Alfredo Tan, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at WestJet, gave an insightful talk on developing a culture of innovation to support businesses in adapting amid rapid technological change.
- McMaster Innovation Park (MIP)'s Ty Shattuck, CEO, and Sarah Boggan, PR and Marketing Manager, shared an update on the evolution of Hamilton's innovation hub, including a VR tour of what MIP will look like in the future.
- Susan Somers, VP of Knoll Canada, kicked off the evening's Cocktail Reception, which included a sneak peek of some of the furniture they are designing for Gowling WLG Hamilton's new office space at McMaster Innovation Park.
Each presentation was a testament to the power of collaboration in making Hamilton a better place to live, work and play.
The Community Summit was the first of many celebrations to come for Gowling WLG in Hamilton - with 2020 marking the firm's 25th anniversary in the city, as well as the year it will break ground on its new building at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP).
"Thank you to our community partners for making our inaugural summit such a success. Without your support and encouragement, our role as a community builder and strategic legal adviser would not be possible," said Louis Frapporti, Gowling WLG Hamilton office managing partner.
To complement the Summit, Gowling WLG Hamilton released its 2019 Community Report, which highlights the great work being done by its legal professionals and staff, its merger with local powerhouse ESB Lawyers, and its upcoming move to MIP, among other exciting developments. Read the 2019 Community Report here.
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