Davis LLP
Encyclopedia
Established in 1892, Davis LLP is a full-service international law firm. Founded in Vancouver, BC the firm has grown to include seven offices in Canada and one in Japan. Davis has more than 240 lawyers working in over 40 different practice and industry groups.
, Canada on March 25, 1892, just six years after the city’s incorporation. Born in Ontario
and a graduate of the University of Toronto
, Davis had the privilege to work for major clients in British Columbia early in his career: Vancouver’s second mayor David Oppenheimer
, Canadian Pacific Railway
and the Hudson's Bay Company
.
1919 - 1945
The Great Depression and World War II caused significant economic turmoil. As a result, the firm developed skills in new practice areas, including insolvency and securities regulation.
During this period, the firm recruited two outstanding individuals who would help shape the firm into what it has become today. David Neil Hossie, a Rhodes scholar and decorated war hero, became a master of virtually all areas of practice from negotiating commercial contracts through estate law to civil litigation. Today, The University of British Columbia (UBC) honours his memory with an annual Prize in Corporate Law.
Sherwood Lett
was a Rhodes Scholar, decorated war hero, brigade commander, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and a recipient of the Order of the British Empire
. He acted as UBC Alma Mater President, UBC Senator, Governor, and Chancellor. In 1947, he traveled to Japan to advise on Canada's policy toward the peace settlement with Japan and in 1954, he led the Canadian contingent supervising the truce in Vietnam negotiated at the Geneva Conference. In 1955, he became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of B.C. and later became Chief Justice of B.C.
Lett’s contributions are important as he began the firm's close and still sturdy relationship with Japan
as a member of the Japan Society, for which he wrote a paper in 1934 on "Legal disabilities of Japanese including the Second Generation in B.C." UBC memorializes Lett through a scholarship in Law.
1945 - 1959
Lett’s close connections with Japan laid the foundation for the firm’s commitment to Japanese-Canadians and instilled an enthusiasm among its professionals to defend their civil rights. Bob McMaster championed the cause of Japanese-Canadians who lost their property when forced to resettle in the B.C. interior. McMaster blocked attempts by the federal government to deport more than 10,000 Japanese-Canadians, then persuaded a Royal Commission to recommend substantially higher compensation for the land, homes and businesses seized from Japanese-Canadians during the war. In 1957, the firm hired Japanese-Canadian George Fujisawa who led the firm to act for virtually all Japanese companies doing business in B.C.
Closing out the decade, the firm merged with Campbell, Brazier, Fisher, McMaster, Johnson and Alley in 1958, boosting litigation and mining practices, particularly.
1960 - 1979
During the 1960s and 1970s, the firm prospered with a client base strengthened from the merger. Charles Brazier led the litigation team; and Alex Fisher led the mining practice with coal, copper and other types of mining representing a large amount of the firm's work.
The firm’s solicitor practice had a portfolio of banking clientele, and its forestry practice advised the B.C. Government and provincial commissions on matters regarding energy and transportation.
The Japan practice and the firm's association with Japanese-Canadians and Japanese companies enabled its lawyers to participate in many international transactions such as joint ventures with the U.S., and in litigation across Canada.
McMaster forged relationships with credit unions and co-operative associations that continue today. Many young lawyers came on board during this period, and the firm more than doubled, growing from 20 to 50 lawyers. Major clients included CIBC, the Hudson's Bay Company, B.C. Telephone, MacMillan Bloedel, and British Pacific Properties.
1980 - 1990
The Great Inflation that began in 1965 due to concurring high inflation rates and high unemployment carried on into the early 1980s, keeping the Davis bankruptcy and insolvency lawyers very busy. Expo 86
brought a new vitality to B.C. and the firm embraced the wave of new investment. The firm’s admiralty / maritime law, commercial lending, tax, estate planning and litigation practice areas gained traction. The firm's Vancouver office relocated to accommodate growth.
1990 - Today
To establish a broader geographic presence to offer enhanced regional, national and international services to clients, the firm undertook a rapid expansion. Davis & Company, as it was known at that time, opened offices in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Toronto. The acquisition of Montreal’s Hara-Rothschild with its own robust client catalogue of Japanese banks, corporations and government organizations that conducted business in North America, coincided with Davis’ Japan focus. A merger with Lucas Bowker & White, an Edmonton firm founded in 1948, and the opening of a greenfield office in Calgary rounded out the western region. Opening the Tokyo office underscored the firm’s commitment to Japan and its people. Davis LLP remains the only Canadian-based law firm with an office in Japan.
The firm changed its name to Davis LLP in 2007 in keeping with the founder's name and to identify Davis as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
.
The firm has a 60-year relationship with Japan and over that period has acted on behalf of Japanese corporations with respect to a significant portion of their Canadian investments and many of their investments in other countries. This relationship has also assisted the firm in acting for Canadian and US clients with investments in Japan.
History
Edward Pease Davis, K.C. founded Davis LLP in VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada on March 25, 1892, just six years after the city’s incorporation. Born in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and a graduate of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, Davis had the privilege to work for major clients in British Columbia early in his career: Vancouver’s second mayor David Oppenheimer
David Oppenheimer
David Oppenheimer was a successful entrepreneur, the second mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, and a National Historic Person of Canada.-Early life:...
, Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
and the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
.
1919 - 1945
The Great Depression and World War II caused significant economic turmoil. As a result, the firm developed skills in new practice areas, including insolvency and securities regulation.
During this period, the firm recruited two outstanding individuals who would help shape the firm into what it has become today. David Neil Hossie, a Rhodes scholar and decorated war hero, became a master of virtually all areas of practice from negotiating commercial contracts through estate law to civil litigation. Today, The University of British Columbia (UBC) honours his memory with an annual Prize in Corporate Law.
Sherwood Lett
Sherwood Lett
Sherwood Lett, was a Canadian soldier, lawyer, diplomat, and jurist.-Early life:Born in Iroquois, Ontario, he came to British Columbia in his early years. He started his education at the McGill University College of British Columbia which became the University of British Columbia. In 1915, he...
was a Rhodes Scholar, decorated war hero, brigade commander, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and a recipient of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. He acted as UBC Alma Mater President, UBC Senator, Governor, and Chancellor. In 1947, he traveled to Japan to advise on Canada's policy toward the peace settlement with Japan and in 1954, he led the Canadian contingent supervising the truce in Vietnam negotiated at the Geneva Conference. In 1955, he became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of B.C. and later became Chief Justice of B.C.
Lett’s contributions are important as he began the firm's close and still sturdy relationship with Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as a member of the Japan Society, for which he wrote a paper in 1934 on "Legal disabilities of Japanese including the Second Generation in B.C." UBC memorializes Lett through a scholarship in Law.
1945 - 1959
Lett’s close connections with Japan laid the foundation for the firm’s commitment to Japanese-Canadians and instilled an enthusiasm among its professionals to defend their civil rights. Bob McMaster championed the cause of Japanese-Canadians who lost their property when forced to resettle in the B.C. interior. McMaster blocked attempts by the federal government to deport more than 10,000 Japanese-Canadians, then persuaded a Royal Commission to recommend substantially higher compensation for the land, homes and businesses seized from Japanese-Canadians during the war. In 1957, the firm hired Japanese-Canadian George Fujisawa who led the firm to act for virtually all Japanese companies doing business in B.C.
Closing out the decade, the firm merged with Campbell, Brazier, Fisher, McMaster, Johnson and Alley in 1958, boosting litigation and mining practices, particularly.
1960 - 1979
During the 1960s and 1970s, the firm prospered with a client base strengthened from the merger. Charles Brazier led the litigation team; and Alex Fisher led the mining practice with coal, copper and other types of mining representing a large amount of the firm's work.
The firm’s solicitor practice had a portfolio of banking clientele, and its forestry practice advised the B.C. Government and provincial commissions on matters regarding energy and transportation.
The Japan practice and the firm's association with Japanese-Canadians and Japanese companies enabled its lawyers to participate in many international transactions such as joint ventures with the U.S., and in litigation across Canada.
McMaster forged relationships with credit unions and co-operative associations that continue today. Many young lawyers came on board during this period, and the firm more than doubled, growing from 20 to 50 lawyers. Major clients included CIBC, the Hudson's Bay Company, B.C. Telephone, MacMillan Bloedel, and British Pacific Properties.
1980 - 1990
The Great Inflation that began in 1965 due to concurring high inflation rates and high unemployment carried on into the early 1980s, keeping the Davis bankruptcy and insolvency lawyers very busy. Expo 86
Expo 86
The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Friday, May 2 until Monday, October 13, 1986...
brought a new vitality to B.C. and the firm embraced the wave of new investment. The firm’s admiralty / maritime law, commercial lending, tax, estate planning and litigation practice areas gained traction. The firm's Vancouver office relocated to accommodate growth.
1990 - Today
To establish a broader geographic presence to offer enhanced regional, national and international services to clients, the firm undertook a rapid expansion. Davis & Company, as it was known at that time, opened offices in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Toronto. The acquisition of Montreal’s Hara-Rothschild with its own robust client catalogue of Japanese banks, corporations and government organizations that conducted business in North America, coincided with Davis’ Japan focus. A merger with Lucas Bowker & White, an Edmonton firm founded in 1948, and the opening of a greenfield office in Calgary rounded out the western region. Opening the Tokyo office underscored the firm’s commitment to Japan and its people. Davis LLP remains the only Canadian-based law firm with an office in Japan.
The firm changed its name to Davis LLP in 2007 in keeping with the founder's name and to identify Davis as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
International experience
Davis’ focus on projects and mergers & acquisitions in the natural resource and infrastructure sector has led to a wide range of mandates outside of Canada on behalf of both Canadian and non-Canadian clients as is illustrated by a recent PPP mandate for the Government of BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
.
The firm has a 60-year relationship with Japan and over that period has acted on behalf of Japanese corporations with respect to a significant portion of their Canadian investments and many of their investments in other countries. This relationship has also assisted the firm in acting for Canadian and US clients with investments in Japan.