The Calgary office of Bennett Jones is its historical headquarters and, while its operations across Canada have blossomed (and includes another, smaller, office in Edmonton), the firm remains a consistent key legacy player in this particular city. “Bennett Jones used to have all the ‘A clients’ in the Calgary market and, while other firms have since moved in and clients have spread out more, Bennett Jones still hangs on to some exclusive relationships. They are a steady and meaningful presence in the market, still attract premium work and have great people. Munaf Mohamed in particular attracts great clients.” Mohamed, a routinely acknowledged “trial warrior” who “doesn’t suffer fools,” led a multi-office team in representing a group of Saudi companies in advancing one of the largest fraud claims in Canada against a high-ranking former Minister of Cabinet in the former Saudi government who is alleged, along with a number of close family and friends, of embezzling a massive amount of money and moving it into various offshore havens and who, once stripped of his titles and position, fled to Canada. A worldwide freezing order has been obtained against the Minister, together with various other extraordinary orders. “It’s worth mentioning,” insists one peer, “that Munaf doesn’t just do fraud work anymore! He can lead pretty much any file, and he could do this in Toronto as well as Calgary.” Another frequently championed trial lawyer, Blair Yorke-Slader, continues to act for Dow Chemical in an action against NOVA Chemicals Corporation for damages arising from NOVA's operation of a co-owned Alberta-based ethylene plant. This long-running and hotly contested saga found the matter remanded to the trial court by the Court of Appeal, relating to severance of certain contractual provisions by reason of illegality of performance. The case proceeded to a hearing in November 2024. Also acting on this case,
Bruce Mellett is cheered for his “understated workhorse” approach. “Bruce doesn’t get as much press and he doesn’t seek it, but he deserves it,” insists a peer. “You want dogged and rigorous work without the bluster? You go to him.” Another actor on this case, Ciara Mackey is one singled out by peers. “She’s in the opinions practice, and if I could have her work on every one of my files, I would. She writes how you think. She is the brains – you know you’re in good hands with her.” A peer also insists, “Kelsey Meyer has really risen up, she was always great with insolvency, but she has really become one of the top names in town. Keep an eye on her. The court commended her on her exceptional application. She has moved up into the category vacated by Ken Lenz and Chris Simard. She is leading a large dissolution that wound up in court.”
