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/1547047
62 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP LITIGATION LAW BOUTIQUES 2026 Sometimes, we're arguing in an area where the law isn't very certain yet, and I think it's important that we advise the court of that rather than overstate our position. We're trying to assist the court at all times to come to the correct decision. I think we've gained the trust of the courts that they can rely on our submissions. They may disagree with them, but they can rely on the fact that we're not there leading them astray. Q: The chambers model is different from a typical firm structure. How does that structure shape the way you take on and resolve high-profile matters? A: We don't have a true chambers model the way they'd have in England, but our ethic is a bit more of a chambers model than our competitors'. Each of our counsel is encour- aged to develop their practice as they see fit, provided there aren't conflicts. So we have people with unique practices, more regula- tory work, more criminal work, that wouldn't touch on my own practice at all. We argue a full spectrum of cases for all different types of clients, and we've acted for and against governmental bodies on Charter cases because we don't see ourselves as a firm that only supports one particular interest group. Because we can take on such a broad variety of work, we get referrals from family law firms, personal injury firms, large corpo- rate commercial litigation, and files for or against the government across all kinds of industries. Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP has been recognized in most cycles since 2014. Peers point to the firm's mentoring culture and its in-court experi- ence. "Excellence, depth, and commitment to mentoring," says one survey respondent, while another calls the firm "lawyers for lawyers, top-tier service and expertise." Ryan Phillips, managing partner at Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes in Calgary, spoke with CL about what has sustained that recognition. Q: What's kept the firm competitive in the Calgary litigation market over the past decade or longer? A: It's one of those things that has just happened organically over time. I don't think we've ever had a plan to grow or expand; it's just happened naturally. We're 41 lawyers now, it's hard to keep track these days; it slowly keeps creeping up as we get busier. Clients seem to like the work we're doing, and we enjoy doing it. We pride ourselves on providing a nimbler and responsive platform to serve clients' interests and incorporate those interests directly into the work we do, to ensure we're meeting their needs and advocating for them as best we can. It's worked out well for us in the past, and the results speak for themselves in that we continue to stay busy and grow. Q: Mentoring came up repeatedly in peer feedback. How is that built into the way the firm operates? A: We do undertake a deliberate effort to ensure we have a good mentorship struc- ture. It starts from students and more junior lawyers. We implement a buddy system, where you have somebody from the moment you start at the firm to ask any questions about how things work, and to keep tabs on how your progress is going. When somebody gets a good decision, an email gets circulated around the firm giving accolades and congratulating people, which makes people feel good, gives them recogni- tion more broadly across the firm, and alerts colleagues to an area someone's interested in for future files. Across 41 lawyers, we all practise broadly in civil and commercial litigation, and within that, there are so many different areas we each focus on. We also have a mentor- mentee system where you're assigned a mentor you check in with regularly. We had a lawyer start at the firm last year (2025) who comes to me regularly with questions on her files, and I really appreciate it, because I remember being in her shoes. When you finish articling, the thought is that you're a lawyer and ready to practise, but there are a lot of questions that remain, and you learn as you go. Having somebody in a formal structure that you feel comfortable going to is invaluable. I've been at the firm for almost 13 years now, and I really appreciated having that when I was more junior – being able to go to court and questioning and actually see the senior lawyer on the file in action because there's no substitute for seeing how it plays out. You're also not just assigned to one or two lawyers. If you express interest in something, you can work with any number of lawyers, see their style, and over time, develop your "The main thing that has stayed the same is we're a firm that very much enjoys, and is proud of, what we do. We take pride in our work, and that came from the founders at the very beginning" Randal Kaardal, KC, Hunter Litigation Chambers SPECIAL REPORT