A highly regarded group of 13 lawyers formerly with Heenan Blaikie in Toronto will join Baker & McKenzie.  Led by Partners Kevin Rooney and Sonia Yung, the group augments the Firm's Corporate & Securities, Tax, and Banking & Finance Practices.

"Baker & McKenzie has been in Canada for more than 50 years, and our clients inside the country and around the world understand Canada's growing importance to the global economy," said Eduardo Leite, Chairman of the Firm's Executive Committee.  "This is an exceptional group that bolsters our already strong practices in Toronto and further positions Baker & McKenzie as the premier global law firm in Canada."

Mr. Rooney and Ms. Yung have decades of experience advising clients on corporate and securities law matters, handling securities offerings, M&A, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and takeover bids on behalf of Canadian and international companies and securities dealers and investors.

Other notable partners joining Baker & McKenzie include Peter Clark, Ilia Danef, Charles MacCready, and Corey MacKinnon.  These lawyers have provided strategic legal advice to companies in a range of industries, including the mining, financial services, life sciences, information technology, communications and manufacturing sectors.  The group will also include two paralegals and others.

"Canada is an increasingly important jurisdiction for our clients and building our Toronto-based practices in ways that align with their needs is a priority for our firm," said Jim Holloway, a member of Baker & McKenzie's global Executive Committee who is based in Toronto.  "We think our new colleagues will not only further enable our Canadian strategy and additional growth, they will be a great cultural fit for our Firm."

With this group of lawyers, the Firm will have more than 75 lawyers in Toronto, and more than 4,100 lawyers globally.  In January, experienced Canadian tax planning partner Alex Pankratz also joined the Firm, and respected corporate and securities partner Michael Smith joined in September 2013.  Over the last several years, the Firm has added a number of high-caliber lawyers in Toronto with strong tax, IP and transactional experience.  Globally, the expansion in Toronto follows the Firm's recent growth responding to client demand in areas such as South Africa and Peru, and more recently, Korea and Dubai.

"This outstanding group joining our firm embodies our strategy of building a quality client-driven team in Toronto that provides strategic counsel at home and across practices, industries and geographies," said Kevin Coon, Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie's Toronto Office.  "In addition, this team's experience working with Canadian natural resource companies augments our firm's extensive global mining practice.  We are very pleased to welcome Kevin, Sonia and the entire team to Baker & McKenzie."

"With 74 offices in 46 countries and a longstanding presence in Toronto, Baker & McKenzie offers a truly globally integrated platform that clients are seeking in today's global marketplace," said Mr. Rooney on behalf of the group.  "The Firm's deep experience in cross-border matters and in emerging markets is truly impressive, and we're very excited to join Baker & McKenzie."

About the Lawyers

• Kevin Rooney has almost 25 years of experience advising clients on corporate and securities law matters.  He has been involved in numerous securities offerings, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, takeover bids, acquisitions and dissident proxy solicitations.  He has accumulated extensive experience in a wide variety of transactions for issuers in various industries, such as mining, financial services, information technology, software development, gaming and alternative energy.  
• Sonia Yung's practice is focused on securities-related matters, including public and private financings and mergers and acquisitions on behalf of Canadian and international companies and securities dealers. She has significant experience in the area of public and private financings by both private and public issuers in various industries, including mining and exploration, computer systems integration, software operating platforms,  information technology, financial services, life sciences, renewable energy, other emerging technologies and industrial manufacturing.
• Peter Clark focuses his practice on domestic and international tax law. He has considerable experience in the taxation aspects of asset securitizations, corporate finance, hedge funds and real estate development and ownership, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, transfer pricing and cross-border transactions, as well as estate planning for very high net worth families.
• Ilia Danef has acted as lead counsel for banks and borrowers in relation to many different types of financings, including acquisition financings, investment grade loans, telecom financings, asset based loans, export credit financings, project financings, loans to sovereigns and general corporate loans. He has acted for some of the largest international banks and private equity houses in syndicated as well as bilateral financings.
• Charlie MacCready's practice is focused on public M&A.  His 20 years of legal experience also encompass public and private financings, regulatory compliance and other securities-related matters for public entities and securities dealers.  Earlier in his career, Mr. MacCready spent five years as a senior legal counsel and assistant manager in the Corporate Finance Branch of the Ontario Securities Commission.
• Corey MacKinnon advises domestic and international clients in executing complex, multijurisdictional transactions, with a focus on M&A, securities, corporate finance and private equity. He has acted for clients in a variety of industries, including the mining, oil and gas, insurance, media and retail sectors.  He regularly represents underwriters and issuers in domestic and cross-border public and private financings.  Mr. MacKinnon frequently acts for issuers in connection with their initial public offerings, secondary offerings and listing applications on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange and NASDAQ.