Two Leading Law Firms to Collaborate on Cross-Border Growth Opportunities

Senator Angus King, Jr. to Speak at Capstone Event on June 6

Bernstein Shur, one of New England’s most entrepreneurial law firms, is hosting its Canadian Lex Mundi member firm, McInnes Cooper, to explore and stimulate cross-border deal flow throughout ME and Atlantic Canada, June 5-6. This focus on collaboration is the third trip of its kind between the two firms, drawing on the creativity and strengths of both firms for the purposes of increased trade and economic development within the region.

As part of this visit, representatives from both firms will be facilitating introductions among key clients across select industries to discuss best practices and share new insights, specifically in hotel and real estate development, marine products, alternative energy, and higher education. For example, visiting is Don Bureaux, President of the 13-campus Nova Scotia Community College who will discuss the role of higher education in helping to build the economy and improve quality of life through education and innovation with the presidents of ME’s Community College System and Southern ME Community College and colleagues from Saint Joseph’s College.

“Our working relationship with McInnes Cooper goes back almost 10 years,” said Pat Scully, CEO for Bernstein Shur. “Together we pack a critical legal and strategic punch in terms of the projects that we launched together. We’re proud to continually seek creative ways to serve as an economic catalyst for the region.”

“Like ME, Atlantic Canada is ripe with opportunity in terms of abundant natural resources, deep ports and harbors and quality of life,” said McInnes Cooper’s Cheryl Hodder. “As independent firms, we value this unique ability we have through Lex Mundi to collaborate while creating value for our respective clients.”

In a capstone event on Friday, June 6, Senator Angus King, Jr. will provide an update on U.S. regulatory reform efforts and discuss how regulatory improvements can facilitate new economic development and innovation. King will also moderate a panel discussion to further examine this topic from the perspective of industry leaders. The panel consists of experts representing both firms’ clients within the energy and financial services industries, including Kurt Adams from First Wind, Hilary Rapkin from WEX, Gerald Weseen from Emera, and Liesl Harewood from Nova Scotia Business, Inc. As an attorney with Bernstein Shur, King played a role in many of the joint projects with McInnes Cooper going back to the initial visit in 2006. The panel discussion is 4:00 p.m. at the Portland Country Club.

“Regulatory reform is an important topic that, unfortunately, is not getting enough attention in Washington these days. We can all agree that regulations play a vital role in keeping us safe, but over time, even the most well-crafted regulations can become outdated and ineffective and only end up hindering economic activity,” Senator King said. “We need to be smarter about how we look at regulations in the grand scheme of economic growth, and this discussion will be a great opportunity to talk about ways in which government and industry can work together to encourage economic development and spur innovation.”

About Bernstein Shur
Widely regarded as one of New England’s most entrepreneurial law firms, Bernstein Shur has more than 100 attorneys in offices in ME and New Hampshire. Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur is ME’s exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information is available at www.bernsteinshur.com.

About McInnes Cooper
McInnes Cooper is among the top business law firms in Canada, with 220 lawyers in offices throughout the Atlantic region, serving clients across North America and abroad. They are market leaders in business law, litigation, employment, tax, real estate and energy & natural resources. McInnes Cooper is a member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information is available at www.mcinnescooper.com.

About Lex Mundi
Bernstein Shur is the exclusive member firm in ME for Lex Mundi – the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in 100+ countries worldwide. McInnes Cooper is the exclusive Lex Mundi member firm in Canada for Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. As part of the Lex Mundi global network, member firms can provide clients with preferred access to more than 21,000 lawyers around the world – all from a single point of contact. Individually, each Lex Mundi member firm is a leader in its local market. Collectively, Lex Mundi firms provide global legal resources with unmatched depth and breadth. Working together, Lex Mundi firms are able to seamlessly handle clients’ most challenging cross-border transactions and disputes. www.lexmundi.com

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