Former Canadian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Foreign Affairs to Join Leading Compliance, Litigation & Government Enforcement Practice
Peter MacKay, PC, QC, the former Canadian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will join the global law firm of Baker & McKenzie as a partner in Toronto. Mr. MacKay is returning to the practice of law and will advise on a range of matters, including government and regulatory enforcement and compliance matters. He will also provide strategic advice to Canadian companies doing business globally and international companies doing business in Canada. His appointment is effective February 1.
Mr. MacKay brings 20+ years of unique experience as a member of the House of Commons and having served in senior roles within the Canadian government. Before entering public service and after qualifying at the Nova Scotia bar, he was a Crown prosecutor.
“Canada is a key player in a dynamic and challenging global economy. Companies here at home and abroad need strategic advice on how to navigate and prosper in an environment of increasing global risk and regulatory enforcement activity,” said Mr. MacKay. “I have been honoured to serve the Canadian people for many years in the House of Commons and Government of Canada, and the time is right for me to transition to the private sector and begin the next phase of my career. Baker & McKenzie is the premier global law firm with deep roots in Canada for more than 50 years, and it offers a unique opportunity to work with Canadian headquartered companies and global companies in a complex regulatory environment. The Firm has ambitious plans in Canada and North America, and I’m delighted to be part of the team at this exciting time.”
Mr. MacKay will contribute his talents and experience in a range of areas as a member of Baker & McKenzie’s growing government enforcement and compliance practice, which advises on corporate compliance, white collar crime, investigations and business crimes, antitrust, international arbitration, securities enforcement and litigation. Baker & McKenzie has one of the world’s largest and most highly regarded disputes practices, with more than 750 dispute resolution lawyers globally and more than 140 attorneys in North America focused on litigation and government enforcement matters.
“Our global clients face a patchwork of regulatory rules and compliance challenges as they grow their business in Canada and across borders,” said Kevin Coon, Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie’s Toronto Office. “Peter was on the front lines of many of the most important legal, geopolitical and business issues affecting Canadian businesses over the last two decades. Peter MacKay has a deep understanding of the issues facing Canadian companies with a strategic international outlook. I can’t think of anyone who is better placed than Peter MacKay to assist our clients on the legal, business and compliance challenges of today’s marketplace.”
“In an era of increased regulatory pressure and compliance expectations on companies operating in Canada and the US, Peter is the perfect complement to our already strong government enforcement and compliance capabilities,” said Rick Hammett, Baker & McKenzie’s North American Managing Partner. “I know our clients will value his experience and perspective on doing business in Canada and internationally.”
Mr. MacKay is the latest in a series of prominent additions to the Firm’s Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice over the last year, such as former senior US government attorneys Richard Kirby, Maurice Bellan and Ryan Fayhee in Washington, DC, among others. Globally, the practice has been bolstered with new hires such as Jonathan Peddie, former Global Head of Financial Crime at Barclays, and Nadia Banno, formerly head of litigation at the BBC, both joining in London.
Baker & McKenzie was recently named one of the top 10 Most Innovative Law Firms in North America by the Financial Times.
Source: www.bakermckenzie.com
