Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
Issue link: https://digital.carswellmedia.com/i/1544329
12 www.lexpert.ca Special Promotional Feature capabilities extend significantly further. As Canadian lawyers oen discover, US-related matters can require specialized input across a variety of disciplines. e firm meets that demand with robust teams of lawyers special- izing in multiple areas: • US federal, international, and state tax • Business immigration and mobility • Employment and labour considerations • Employee benefits and executive compensation • Environmental review and regulatory compliance • Debt financing and restructuring • Real estate and leasing • Intellectual property and data protection • Securities regulation • Secured transactions • Franchising This interdisciplinary strength enables the firm to support transactions with both precision and pragmatism. Whether navi- gating regulatory considerations for a US acquisition, structuring cross-border debt facilities, or addressing workforce issues after a deal closes, Canadian counsel partnering with Hodgson Russ gain direct access to the firm's full portfolio of US lawyers. About Hodgson Russ and the authors Hodgson Russ has a unique cross-border presence that differentiates it from other US midsize law firms. Originating in Buffalo, a city with strong ties to Canada, Hodgson Russ established an office in Toronto, where it has been part of the Canadian legal market for over 30 years, practising exclusively US law. Lawyers like Timothy Ho, who regu- larly advises Canadian public companies on US securities, governance, and financing matters, and Matt Cameron, whose work focuses on cross-border M&A and corpo- rate transactions involving Canadian private equity funds and strategic acquirors, exem- plify the firm's ability to deliver US counsel grounded in decades of on-the-ground Canadian experience. yet streamlined enough to deliver practical counsel and efficient support. This balance enables them to assist throughout the full life cycles of deals without the overhead of larger practices. Clients are prioritizing legal teams that combine sophisticated advice with efficient execution, and midsize firms are meeting the mark, according to the Thomson Reuters report Midsize Law Firms at the Start of 2025. These firms stand out for their ability to provide high-quality counsel, focused project management, and consistent senior- level engagement. Assets that complement Canadian firms Medium-to-large Canadian firms are collab- orating more frequently with midsize firms like Hodgson Russ on transactions requiring niche subject-matter insight or regional depth. Not only is this transition toward midsize firms noticeable, but, according to the ompson Reuters Institute, it is accel- erating, because they offer comprehensive services while maintaining flexibility, respon- siveness, and transactional fluency. is integrated approach enhances the quality of work product and ensures clients receive acutely tailored, transaction-specific support. By collaborating with midsize US law firms, Canadian counsel achieve synergies across borders that help their clients tap into issue-specific US guidance whenever needed − a leaner structure especially valued by private equity sponsors and corporate acquirors who prioritize speed, accuracy, and commercial clarity. A full US team behind every transaction While Hodgson Russ' cross-border M&A and corporate practice is well known, the firm's CROSS-BORDER VALUE HOW CANADIAN LAW FIRMS BENEFIT FROM THE STRATEGIC U.S. MIDSIZE ADVANTAGE CROSS-BORDER TRANSACTIONS between Canada and the United States are increasingly complex and specialized as markets and demands for services shift due to evolving trade policies, regulations, and taxation rules (with ramifications for M&A, as noted by Export Development Canada). Today, more than ever, Canadian corpo- rate and securities lawyers seek out US cross- border counsel who understand current US regulatory landscapes, finding value in midsize US law firms that offer full- service capabilities while maintaining depth, responsiveness, and technical sophistication. Meanwhile, US law firms with an established Canadian presence are especially well posi- tioned to provide this blend of agility and comprehensive support. Cross-border complexities Canadian counsel are often adept at under- standing the American commercial land- scape, but US regulations can diverge sharply in areas such as federal and state tax, corpo- rate governance, employment rights, and intellectual property. Without a US-licensed lawyer, Canadian counsel cannot effectively advise on US-specific obligations, and Canadian companies face fundamentally different IP, employment, liability, and director and officer exposure risks when operating in the US. Lawyers in Canada with US licenses offer tailored guidance informed by experience across borders. They deftly assist clients in navigating legal considerations arising under each regulatory framework, and the practical challenges with operating across both. For Canadian lawyers, midsize US firms often serve as strategic partners: large enough to provide broad transactional capabilities Timothy Ho and Matt Cameron Corporate & securities partners