Aird & Berlis LLP

Aird & Berlis LLP (A&B), 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.

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 Aird, 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 McDougall, P.C., O.C., CFA, LL.D.
  • Legal Advisor, Aird & Berlis LLP
  • Former Minister, Canadian Parliament

• David Miller (Canadian politician), Alumnus
  • Current Mayor of Toronto

• Peter Sutherland
  • Senior Business Advisor, Aird & Berlis LLP
  • Former Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the Philippines
  • Former High Commissioner 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 Hughes during the 2005–2006 competitive season. Clara was later sponsored by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. For the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, A&B sponsored heptathlete Jessica Zelinka.

External links

• The Aird & Berlis LLP website
• The Interlaw website
• A&B on Law Wiki