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§ Private Profile · 160 Elgin Street Suite 2600 Ottawa, ON K1P 1C3 Canada
Law firm providing business law, advocacy, and intellectual property legal services for corporate clients.
Key people at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP (Gowlings) was a Canadian law firm based in Ottawa, Ontario, providing legal services in business law, advocacy/litigation, and intellectual property to corporate clients. Prior to its 2016 merger, Gowlings employed over 750 lawyers, making it one of Canada's five largest firms. It combined with UK-based Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. to form Gowling WLG, an international firm with 1,400-1,500 legal professionals across 18 offices and reported revenue of $631.3 million. The combined entity, led by figures such as former CEO Peter Jolliffe, current CEO David Fennell, and board members Peter Lukasiewicz and Andrew Witts, offers cross-border advice on transactions, IP, and disputes with a focus on sector-specific expertise. Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP originated in 1887 from Henderson & McVeity in Ottawa, Ontario.
Key people at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.
Gowling WLG (formerly known as Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP) is an international law firm with over 1,500 legal professionals across seven countries, specializing in sector-focused legal services for industries like energy, financial services, life sciences, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate, and technology.[3][4][5] The firm emphasizes client-centric innovation, such as AI-driven tools and workflow automation, to deliver efficient solutions aligned with business opportunities, while committing to sustainability, community support, and an inclusive culture.[3][4][5] Its practice areas span corporate and M&A, intellectual property, litigation, tax, real estate, energy, infrastructure, environmental, mining, and gaming law.[1][2][6]
Gowling WLG traces its roots to legacy Canadian firms, including Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, with its Ottawa office operating for over 100 years as a hub for intellectual property, litigation, arbitration, and business law in Canada's "Silicon Valley North."[6] The firm evolved through mergers into a global entity under the Gowling WLG brand, expanding from traditional practices in corporate, M&A, tax, and real estate to a sector-focused international model serving key industries worldwide.[2][4][5] This evolution reflects a shift from conventional legal advice to proactive, relationship-driven services that anticipate business needs.[4]
Gowling WLG rides trends like Canada's "hyperscale moment" in data centers, AI risk management, greenwashing regulations, and financial services modernization, providing legal guidance on energy, sustainability, tariffs, and tech innovation.[3] Its timing aligns with North America's shifting trade dynamics and tech-biotech boom in hubs like Ottawa, influencing the ecosystem by enabling startups and enterprises to navigate complex regulations, IP protection, and M&A in high-stakes sectors.[3][6] The firm's tech-sector focus and innovation tools amplify its role in fostering responsible growth amid global market forces like AI adoption and environmental scrutiny.[3][4][5]
Gowling WLG is poised to expand its influence in AI governance, sustainable tech infrastructure, and cross-border deals as Canada's tech ecosystem scales globally. Trends like data center expansion, green regulations, and financial modernization will drive demand for its expertise, potentially growing its tech and life sciences practices. Its evolution from regional roots to international powerhouse positions it to shape how businesses balance innovation with compliance, tying back to its core belief: success through alignment with client worlds and opportunities.[3][4][5]