BLAKES WELCOMES TWO PROMINENT SECURITIES LAWYERS
TORONTO (May 29, 2006) – Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s leading full-service business law firms, today announced that William Fung and Leslie Ann Johnson will be joining the Firm’s Securities Group as Partners.
“Both Will and Leslie are well-regarded securities lawyers, and I welcome them to our Firm,” said Jim Christie, Chairman of Blakes. “We believe their expertise and experience will complement the existing strengths of our Securities Group and will provide Blakes with additional depth, particularly in the REIT/income trust and mining sectors.”
Will Fung practises securities and corporate law. His primary focus is on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions. Mr. Fung has acted on a wide range of securities-focused matters, from public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities on behalf of issuers and dealers, to take-over bids and merger transactions on behalf of offerors and targets. His issuer clients include real estate investment trusts and mutual fund corporations. Mr. Fung also advises issuers and other market participants on corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters. He was recognized by Lexpert magazine as one of Canada’s “Top 40: 40 and Under 40” in November 2004.
Leslie Johnson practises in the areas of securities regulation and corporate law. Her particular focus is on public and private corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, public and private equity and debt financings, corporate governance, defensive tactics and stock exchange issues. She also has experience in the ongoing servicing of public companies and providing advice to securities dealers. In 2003, Ms. Johnson was recognized by Lexpert magazine as one of “Canada’s 15 Women Lawyers to Watch.” Ms. Johnson and Mr. Fung are coming from Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP.
Founded in 1856, Blakes has more than 500 lawyers and offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and China. In October 2005, and for the third consecutive year, Blakes was the only law firm named one of ”Canada’s Top 100 Employers” in Maclean’s newsmagazine. The Firm’s signature “Blakes means business” is not just a catch phrase, but a discipline that defines how Blakes helps clients achieve their business objectives. More information on Blakes is available by visiting the Firm’s Web site at www.blakes.com.
