Steve McKersie
Steve McKersie is the chief executive officer of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and a member of the firm's international board.
As CEO, Steve is responsible for leading the development and implementation of Gowling WLG's strategic direction. This includes shaping the experiences of its personnel and clientele around the world. To this end, he works closely with colleagues from across the firm on a range of forward-looking initiatives and partnerships - including with respect to practice and legal innovation; equity, diversity & inclusion; business development; recruitment and retention; and practice and service excellence.
With more than 20 years' experience - and having spent his entire career at Gowling WLG - Steve brings to his role broad institutional knowledge of the firm's international offices, practices and departments; a deep commitment to the firm's core values; and longstanding relationships with many of the firm's key clients. He complements his legal background with a keen business sensibility and significant experience advising boards of directors and senior executives on growth, legal, operational and financial strategies, as well as the design and implementation of governance processes.
Prior to being elected CEO, Steve managed a robust corporate, commercial and securities law practice, working with domestic and international clients alike on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, debt and equity financing, and commercial contract negotiations. In the years leading up to his election, he also led the firm's US Sales Initiative, a position that found him collaborating with professionals from across Gowling WLG's global offices to strengthen relationships with US law firms and clients.
Steve continues to serve as the primary relationship partner for a number of Gowling WLG's major corporate clients, including both Canadian companies and international companies with a presence in Canada. His clients span a diverse range of industry sectors – including manufacturing, technology, beverages and alcohol, payments, gaming, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, automotive, insurance and advertising.
Steve has been recognized repeatedly by his peers as a "leading practitioner" in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and as a "stand-out lawyer" in the Acritas Stars database.