44 LEXPERT MAGAZINE
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SEPTEMBER 2017
FEATURE
THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
by two national firms that senior executives from
PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG Canada would be joining them in key strategic roles is telling
evidence that traditionalists are finally appreciating the extent to which the Big Four accounting
firms have reset their sights on the country's legal services market.
Beth Wilson, former KPMG Greater Toronto Area Managing Partner, has succeeded Chris Pin-
nington, a lawyer, as CEO of Dentons Canada LLP. And Gino Scapillati, most recently Vice-Chair
at PwC and the firm's former national managing partner, is now at Bennett Jones LLP as Vice-
Chair, Strategy and Innovation.
Dentons characterized Wilson's recruitment as a "bold and innovative" move. "It is a reflection of
our clients' increasing view that their legal advisors should be more than just a traditional law firm,
and should offer broader perspectives, insights and understanding of their business and industry,"
said Richard Scott, chair of the firm's Canada Board. Elliott Portnoy, Dentons' global Chief Ex-
ecutive Officer, drew a parallel between the "significant disruption and transformation" affecting
lawyers and the "auditing and consulting" professions. And Bill McFarland, CEO of PwC Canada,
singled out Scapillati's role in helping to "transform [PwC's] go to market approach during a period
of significant change."
At their core, the national firms' resort to Big Four talent recognizes both the extent to which the
accountants are ahead of lawyers when it comes to technology and efficiency, as well as their emerg-
ing assault on legal services, including some of the profession's most cherished and profitable practice
THE LONG
ACCOUNTING FIRMS IN CANADA HAVE THUS
FAR BEEN UNABLE TO BREAK INTO HIGH-END
BUSINESS LAW, BUT PATIENCE MAY YET
BEAR FRUIT AS THEY CONTINUE TO BUILD
CAPACITY IN LEGAL SERVICES
BY JULIUS MELNITZER
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK