Cunningham Swan announces the appointment of Peter Milliken, B.A, M.A. LL.B., as his firm's Special Advisor
January 11th, 2012
Cunningham, Swan proudly announces that Peter Milliken, the longest-serving Speaker of the House of Commons in Canadian history, and the longest-serving MP in local history, will be re-joining our firm as Special Advisor, Peter has deep roots in the community and unparalleled and extensive knowledge of the people, firms and the public institutions in the area, and the problems they are facing in today's world. Together with his extensive experience and judgment, he is in a unique position to provide strategic advice and guidance on a broad range of issues that will benefit our firm's clients in the years ahead.
A former Partner with the firm for 15 years, Mr. Milliken was first elected by area residents to the House of Commons in 1988. He was returned locally at six further general elections. In 2001 MPs of all parties chose him as their Speaker. In 2004 Speaker Milliken was acclaimed and MPs elected him to the crucial Common's position twice after, in 2006 and 2008. In October 2009 he surpassed the previous record and became the longest-serving House Speaker in Canadian history.
The NFP Rules are Changing. Is Your Organization Ready?
November 23rd, 2011
On Monday November 21, 2011, Lisa Asbreuk, an Associate in our Business Law Group, participated in a seminar hosted by the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area regarding the new Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act and Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act. Co-presenting was Carrie Thompson of KPMG LLP. Lisa discussed how the new rules will affect not-for-profit organizations in such areas as organizational structure, membership, governance, reporting requirements, the duties and obligations of directors and what organizations need to do to be in compliance. Carrie discussed how the new rules may impact financial reporting and Canada Revue Agency's increased scrutiny of not-for-profit organizations.
"This seminar was an excellent opportunity to share our insights and analysis with the community most impacted by the federal and provincial legislative changes", said Lisa. "The new legislation represents a complete overhaul and modernization of not-for-profit law provincially and federally, and the lawyers at Cunningham Swan are pleased to provide this type of service in helping the community understand the impact of the changes and providing a practical to-do list for organizations going forward."
The joint presentation was attended by more than 100 pre-registered individuals (with more attendees joining the day of the seminar). The presentations were well received by the full room of community members, most of whom are officers or directors of local not-for-profit organizations. Special thanks to Vikram Varma and Jana Stanistreet for organizing the seminar and handling the logistics. Thanks are also kindly extended to Carrie Thompson at KPMG for co-presenting. If you have questions about the seminar or the not-for-profit law changes please contact Lisa Asbreuk at lasbreuk@cswan.com or 613-546-8080.
Congratulations to Patience McLeod, our Office Administrator, on her nomination for the 2011 Kingston Woman in Business Award. We also extend our sincere thanks to all of the women at Cunningham, Swan for their continued efforts and support. What an impressive group of outstanding women we have working in our business!
Nipissing University Alumni Achievement Award 2011
November 6th, 2011
Cunningham Swan congratulates Ashley Brown, who was presented with the 2011 Nipissing University Alumni Achievement Award. This award is presented annually to an alumnus/a who demonstrates leadership abilities, community involvement and displays promise of significant accomplishment in his/her chosen profession.
Moving Downtown
October 11th, 2011
Kingston's largest law firm returns to downtown with move to historic S&R building
Kingston: Cunningham Swan Carty Little & Bonham LLP Managing Partner Tim Wilkin is pleased to announce that his firm is returning to Kingston's dynamic downtown core.
Effective April 1, 2012, his firm's 25 lawyers and total staff compliment of more than 60 will be locating to the anchor downtown location that was, until recently, home to the famed S&R Department Store.
"Our firm's roots in this community date back to 1894," Wilkin said, "and outside of the last decade, during which time we have been located at City Place on John Counter Blvd, we have always been a downtown firm. Our long-term business needs require both more space and a return to the downtown."
"Our Partners are very impressed with the vision of Hank Doornekamp. He and his team at ABNA Investments have shown leadership in spear-heading the re-development of this crucial building in the heart of Kingston's downtown. We look forward to our partnership with them in helping to make the Smith Robinson Building key to the continued vitality of downtown in a new era."
Wilkin also praised the ample parking for clients in the area that the City of Kingston has increased in recent years.
"As a past president of the Downtown Kingston BIA Board, I am also very pleased about this decision on a personal level," Wilkin added.
Martin Skolnick of DTZ Barnicke played a key role in arranging the new partnership between Cunningham Swan and ABNA.
The attached picture, courtesy Cunningham Swan, shows (left to right), Doug Ritchie, Managing Director, Downtown Kingston! B.I.A., Tim Wilkin, Managing Partner of Cunningham Swan and Hank Doornekamp of ABNA Investments going over the plans for Cunningham Swan`s new offices Friday morning at the Smith Robinson Building.
For further information contact Tim Wilkin at twilkin@cswan.com, or by phone at 613.546.8074.
Braving the wind and rain, Team Cunningham Swan successfully completed the Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011. Raising more than $1,700 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the team members, Ellen Foley, Brian Gillingham, Sean Millar, Lili Kramil-Marcus, Lesley Kendall, Carolyn Shelley and her step-son, Osiris Gray, Barb Tessier and her son, Brett, put forth a strong showing. Some members set personal bests in their running times and all members had fun. Special thanks also to Patience McLeod for her support of Team Cunningham, Swan!
Cunningham, Swan is pleased to welcome our new Articling Students, Sean Miller and Brian Gillingham. At Cunningham Swan, our Articling Program offers the opportunities and exposure one would expect at a larger law firm in a larger centre but with the hands on experience and collegiality that can only be achieved in a small firm environment. As Articling Students at Cunningham Swan, Sean and Brian will be exposed to a broad range of practice areas, including litigation, family law, labour and employment, wills and estates, real estate, business law, municipal law, land use planning, development and environmental law, education and health law. Sean and Brian will experience close supervision and mentorship, while having the encouragement to focus on their areas of interest as they develop. We look forward to seeing Sean and Brian excel both personally and professionally as they launch their legal careers!
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