Goldberg Kohn Strengthens Global Reach at Meritas Annual Meeting in Toronto

May 19, 2006

Goldberg Kohn is strengthening its commitment to global delivery of legal services to clients, due to the continued expansion of Meritas, an international alliance of commercial law firms. That was the key message at the recent 16th annual meeting in Toronto, where 300 attorneys, representing 140 law firms and 39 countries, participated in lively panel discussions on a variety of topics ranging from doing business in China to cross-border issues facing Canada. Goldberg Kohn principal Dennis Black for whom this was his 13th annual meeting said, “It was an excellent opportunity to build relationships with other members and discuss ways to use our alliance to better serve our clients’ needs. Thanks to Meritas, we are able to position ourselves as a local law firm with international capabilities to benefit our clients, whose legal needs often stretch across borders and legal jurisdictions.” 

Meritas members were able to gain valuable information by attending specific sessions at the annual meeting. Panelists from new Meritas member firms in Asia addressed the many challenges faced in doing business in China by educating their colleagues on banking regulations, labor market issues, tax laws and the complex legal system in China, all of which are critical for attorneys whose clients are foreign investors.

Canadian lawyers, who hosted the meeting, generated spirited discussions on cross-border issues.  Even though 90% of Canadians live less than 200 miles from the U.S.-Canada border, Canada remains significantly different from the U.S. in many legal and commercial respects. Understanding these differences is critical to businesses considering entry into the Canadian market.

An attorney from the Swiss Meritas firm led several meetings with members to inaugurate a program for a private equity initiative that could offer private equity funds the largest, most cohesive organization of private equity lawyers worldwide. An official announcement highlighting the program is in the works.

Meritas President and CEO Tanna Moore energized the member firms in Toronto with her comments on plans for continued growth. “Meritas is committed to both geographic and client expansion in Asia, Central and Latin America and Eastern Europe,” said Moore, who has been visiting new member firms around the world to discuss growth strategies and membership benefits.

“Meritas law firms have the highest standards for membership, which is extended by invitation only.” Moore said. “The goal of the organization is to continue to raise awareness of the benefits the alliance offers to corporate counsel, many of whom we already proudly call our clients.” Meritas clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500® companies.

Also in attendance from Goldberg Kohn were principals Oscar Alcantara, a member of the Meritas board, William Loesch and Alice Owings, who participated with Black in the formation of a worldwide private equity fund initiative led out of Zurich, Switzerland.  Goldberg Kohn associate Bob Oberlies, who speaks Chinese, was also there to attend meetings relating to doing business in China and representing Chinese businesses abroad.

Established in 1990, Meritas is an international alliance of commercial law firms in nearly 200 cities and 60 countries working to provide clients with seamless worldwide legal service. Meritas serves as a local legal partner with full service capabilities, cost efficiencies, and personal attention that are unmatched by mega-law firms. For more information on Meritas, visit www.meritas.org.