Gowling WLG becomes official partner of Ottawa 2017

At a ceremony held last night in Ottawa, it was announced that Gowling WLG has become an official partner of Ottawa 2017, the team planning the celebrations for Canada's 150th anniversary in the nation's capital. Working with lead partner CIBC, the firm will provide a range of expert legal services to the organizers of the year-long festivities.

Pictured above, left to right: Wayne Warren, managing partner, Gowling WLG Ottawa; Thomas Barry, British deputy high commissioner; Jean Cloutier, Ottawa city councillor; Valérie Blandeau, co-managing partner, Gowling WLG Paris; Emmanuel Paillard, partner, Gowling WLG Paris; Guy Laflamme, executive director, Ottawa 2017 Bureau; Peter Lukasiewicz, chief executive officer, Gowling WLG Canada; Dean Chapman, vice-president, CIBC; Cyril Leeder, Ottawa 2017 board member; Steve Ball, Ottawa 2017 board member.
Pictured above, left to right: Wayne Warren, managing partner, Gowling WLG Ottawa; Thomas Barry, British deputy high commissioner; Jean Cloutier, Ottawa city councillor; Valérie Blandeau, co-managing partner, Gowling WLG Paris; Emmanuel Paillard, partner, Gowling WLG Paris; Guy Laflamme, executive director, Ottawa 2017 Bureau; Peter Lukasiewicz, chief executive officer, Gowling WLG Canada; Dean Chapman, vice-president, CIBC; Cyril Leeder, Ottawa 2017 board member; Steve Ball, Ottawa 2017 board member.

The event - attended by Ottawa mayor Jim Watson, British deputy high commissioner Thomas Barry and numerous representatives from Gowling WLG and Ottawa 2017 - was also held to celebrate the recent launch of Gowling WLG, a new international law firm created through the combination of Gowlings, a prominent Canadian firm with strong Ottawa roots, and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG), a leading U.K.-based firm.

"Gowling WLG is proud to partner with Ottawa 2017 in support of this monumental celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation in Canada," said Wayne Warren, managing partner of Gowling WLG's Ottawa office. "It's an exciting time for us at Gowling WLG, and, as our firm continues to grow, this is an excellent opportunity for us to contribute to the success of the events being planned in the city where our company had its Canadian start."

Gowling WLG's history in the nation's capital dates back over 125 years. The firm was founded in Ottawa in 1887, with an initial focus on intellectual property law. Over the years, it expanded to become one of the largest and most respected full-service law firms in Canada, with a reputation for innovation in client-focused service delivery. As Gowling WLG, the firm is now home to more than 1,500 legal professionals in 18 cities across Canada, the U.K., Continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

"We're elated that Gowling WLG, a prestigious global company with a very strong local history, has partnered with Ottawa 2017 in planning a year-long city-wide celebration to mark Canada's 150th birthday," said Jim Watson. "Their expertise and support will enable us to maximize the tourism and economic benefits for the entire city, while respecting best business practices recognized around the world."

Gowling WLG provides clients with in-depth expertise 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.