Bennett Jones lawyer scales mountain in Antarctica and other legal moves and grooves for Feb. 17

Claire Kennedy braves Antarctic peak meant for mental health
 
Bennett Jones LLP tax partner Claire Kennedy has scaled Vinson Massif, the greatest peak in Antarctica and one from the world’s Seven Summits, included in the True Patriot Love Foundation’s signature expedition in 2016.
 
With Kennedy were eight ill and injured soldiers and 17 Canadian business leaders, whose trip took these to an elevation of 16,050 feet.
 
“It is the most physically and mentally demanding thing I have ever done,” Kennedy said. “But Yes, it is relatively little to inquire about of myself compared to the physical and mental demands placed on anyone who has served within our Armed Forces.”
 
The journey raised more than $1 million for the foundation. Kennedy personally raised up to $109,000, a lot more than twice her original goal. The funds goes toward supporting transition services, including mental health services, to combat the scourge of PTSD and other operational stress injuries in the armed forces.
 
A polar enthusiast, having travelled to Greenland and Svalbard earlier, Kennedy was also motivated to join the TPL expedition because she has a brother affected by mental illness. Consequently, she developed a first-hand realization from the need for more awareness and research on mental health among Canadian civilians and soldiers.
 
Bennett Jones is TPL’s pro bono counsel.
 

Maureen Jensen appointed OSC Chair and CEO
 
On February 10, Maureen Jensen was appointed as Ontario Securities Commission Chair and Ceo for any two-year term.

“This is an important time for our agency as we move forward with efforts to modernize capital markets regulation in Ontario and Canada,” Jensen said after her appointment. “The OSC continues to aid the federal government of Ontario in establishing and developing the Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System.

At the same time frame, the OSC will continue to pay attention to improving the retail investor experience, providing greater use of capital for businesses and strengthening our enforcement program through new tools for example no-contest settlements and a whistleblower program.”
 
Jensen previously served for five years as OSC Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer.
 

Financial Services Expert returns to BLG
 
Olivier Tardif, formerly using the National Bank of Canada, has returned to Borden Ladner Gervais LLP as a partner in the financial services group in Montreal.
 
Tardif’s practice focuses on corporate finance, secured transactions, restructuring and the regulation of financial institutions. He represents banking institutions and borrowers regarding the public and private financing, project financing, syndicated and cross-border loans, and alternative financing through asset-based lending, leasing and structured finance.
 

Joel Richler joins ADR ranks
 
Joel Richler has retired being an active partner after 35 years like a litigation and arbitration counsel with Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP. He’s now pursuing a brand new practice being an independent arbitrator and mediator at Bay Street Chambers in Toronto.
 
Richler’s experience encompasses contract, partnership, shareholder rights, construction, professional negligence, procurement, real estate, technology and intellectual property disputes. He is on the Canadian and International rosters of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, along with a person in the ICC International Arbitration Committee, the ADR Institute of Canada, and also the North America Users’ Counsel from the London Court of International Arbitration.

He is another founding Member (and current Director) of the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society, along with a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.

 
Blakes partners with Mars LegalX
 
Blake Cassels & Graydon has announced a sponsorship arrangement with LegalX, the legal technology cluster at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.
 
The sponsorship will provide Blakes with early access to emerging legal technologies. Blakes and LegalX may also be launching a Global Legal Innovation Challenge by which they’ll define a frightening issue facing the practice of law in large-firm settings, and can use the international legal technology community to find an operating solution.