Aird & Berlis LLP
Encyclopedia
Aird & Berlis LLP is a full-service Canadian law firm
. It is located in the Bay Street
financial district
of Toronto and employs over 120 lawyers.
A&B has been rated one of the 30 largest law firms in Canada and one of Toronto's 20 largest law firms by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in their feature on The Largest Firms in Canada 2007.
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
. It is located in the Bay Street
Bay Street
Bay Street, originally known as Bear Street, is a major thoroughfare in Downtown Toronto. It is the centre of Toronto's Financial District and is often used by metonymy to refer to Canada's financial industry since succeeding Montreal's St. James Street in that role in the 1970s...
financial district
Financial District, Toronto
The Financial District is a business district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, within the downtown core. It was originally planned as New Town in 1796 as an extension of the Town of York . It is the main financial district in Toronto, and is the financial heart of Canada...
of Toronto and employs over 120 lawyers.
A&B has been rated one of the 30 largest law firms in Canada and one of Toronto's 20 largest law firms by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in their feature on The Largest Firms in Canada 2007.
History
Aird & Berlis LLP dates back to 1919 when its predecessor opened its doors for business. In 1974, the firms of Zimmerman, Grant, Hugo, Paddon, Worley & Bennett merged with Edison, Aird & Berlis to form Aird, Zimmerman & Berlis. The name was changed to Aird & Berlis circa 1978, and the LLP suffix was added later.Notable Members and Alumni
- John Black AirdJohn Black AirdJohn Black Aird, was the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Canada, from 1980 to 1985.Born in Toronto, Ontario, the grandson of Canadian financier Sir John Aird, John Black Aird was educated at Upper Canada College, Trinity College and Osgoode Hall Law School. He was a Brother at the Toronto...
, Co-founder- Ontario's 23rd Lieutenant Governor from 1980 to 1985
- Appointed to the Senate of Canada in the 1960s
- Douglas Berlis, Co-founder
- Gold medallist in graduating year of law school
- The Honourable Barbara McDougallBarbara McDougallBarbara Jean McDougall, PC, OC, is a former Canadian politician. McDougall received a B.A. from the University of Toronto in political science and economics, in 1963.In 2000, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada....
, P.C., O.C., CFA, LL.D.- Legal Advisor, Aird & Berlis LLP
- Former Minister, Canadian Parliament
- David Miller (Canadian politician)David Miller (Canadian politician)David Raymond Miller is a Canadian politician. He was the 63rd Mayor of Toronto and the second since the 1998 amalgamation. He was elected to the position in 2003 for a three-year term and re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term...
, Alumnus- Former Mayor of Toronto
- Peter Sutherland
- Senior Business Advisor, Aird & Berlis LLP
- Former Canadian AmbassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Saudi Arabia and the Philippines - Former High CommissionerHigh CommissionerHigh Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to India
Sponsorships
Sponsorship of Canadian Athletes- A&B was among the first law firms to sponsor Olympic athletes. The firm sponsored speed skater and Olympic gold medallist Clara HughesClara HughesClara Hughes, OC, OM is a Canadian cyclist and speed skater, and has won multiple Olympic medals in both sports. Hughes won two bronze in the Summer Olympics in 1996 and four medals over the course of three Winter Olympics...
during the 2005–2006 competitive season. For the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, A&B sponsored heptathlete Jessica ZelinkaJessica ZelinkaJessica Zelinka is a Canadian pentathlete and heptathlete. Her personal best score is 6490 points, which was achieved at 2008 Summer Olympics and is the Canadian record for the event...
.