Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP is pleased to announce that Lorraine Mastersmith has been appointed to the position of firm managing partner – internal. Her four-year term came into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Mastersmith is a distinguished business lawyer who most recently served as head of the Ottawa office's Business Law Department. With a practice focused on corporate and securities law, she advises tech clients on mergers & acquisitions, commercial contracts, licensing and capital raising. In addition to her experience in private practice, Mastersmith also spent several years as general counsel for a large tech company.
In her new role, Mastersmith sits on Gowling WLG Canada's national leadership team. She is responsible for the firm's internal and professional-based strategies, policies and performance, including the recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation of partners, associates and students, as well as legal service quality and delivery.
"This period of unprecedented change has made us a more agile, connected and resilient firm. And it's also become clear that our success in the years ahead will depend on our ability to support our clients, colleagues and communities in more modern, authentic ways," said Steve McKersie, CEO of Gowling WLG Canada. "With her strong business acumen and inclusive, people-first approach, Lorraine is well-positioned to help us achieve this – and we're excited to work alongside her."
Mastersmith takes over as firm managing partner – internal from Tina Woodside-Shaw, an accomplished Toronto-based corporate and securities lawyer who held the position from 2015 to 2022.
"Tina is a consummate leader whose contributions have left a lasting mark on our firm. As a champion for equity and inclusion, she made impactful policy changes that brought greater fairness to our partnership admission and compensation processes," said Mastersmith. "It's a privilege to follow in Tina's footsteps and take on this role. I'm looking forward to helping the firm capitalize on the exciting opportunities ahead of us and achieve our ambitious goals."
About Gowling WLG
With more than 1,500 legal professionals in offices across Canada, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Gowling WLG provides clients with in-depth knowledge in key global sectors and a suite of legal services at home and abroad. We see the world through our clients' eyes, and collaborate across countries, offices, service areas and sectors to help them succeed, no matter how challenging the circumstances.