Cox & Palmer

Cox & Palmer has been an integral part of Atlantic Canada's business community for over a century. Our clients look to us for advice during growth and prosperity, as well as in challenging economic times. To retain the trust of our clients we focus on what matters to them, whether it's practical advice or a more innovative legal solution. Understanding the industries in which our clients operate is also an imperative. This includes sectors such as banking and financial services, construction, fisheries & marine, health, insurance, municipal, natural resources, telecommunications, and transportation. Cox & Palmer is one of the largest full-service law firms in the Atlantic region and our clients are both businesses and individuals.

Our strength lies in our people. We are able to attract, retain and motivate the best legal minds — lawyers who are both professional and personable. This enables our belief that a strong relationship between law firm and client is the best way to get results.

Learn more at www.coxandpalmerlaw.com.

Administrative: Cox & Palmer provides representation for corporate clients, governments, utilities, professional associations and individuals before administrative, regulatory, employment and disciplinary tribunals. We work in all areas of federal and provincial regulatory and public law, as well as professional and disciplinary matters, with particular expertise in the areas of health care, energy, telecommunication and environmental regulation.

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Individuals and businesses are now looking to quicker and less expensive alternative ways to solve their disputes rather than initiating potentially costly litigation. The term Alternative Dispute Resolution, often called ADR, covers the various ways in which disputes can be dealt with outside the court process. Cox & Palmer has vast experience in the various forms of ADR, particularly negotiation, mediation and arbitration.

Commercial Litigation: Contested commercial transactions account for much of our litigation practice. From corporate disputes to securities issues, these matters cover a broad spectrum of law including breach of contract, collections, guarantee claims, interim and permanent injunctions, shareholder disputes and complex commercial transactions. We have developed a widely recognized ability in the field of commercial litigation, providing counsel who grasp issues quickly and can act in full concert with our clients' management teams. We have experience with both multi-jurisdictional and computer-assisted document management litigation.

Construction: There are numerous stages in the lifecycle of a construction project. The interested parties are many, and the stakes are often high. Legal counsel can effectively play a role throughout, including: tendering, development planning, project management, contract negotiation and interpretation, and project financing. Our construction law team advises developers, contractors, project managers, engineers, architects, sureties and financial institutions across Atlantic Canada on all facets of construction projects. When issues arise our litigation team can be relied upon to resolve all manner of construction-related disputes and bonding claims. Depending on a client's needs our construction lawyers may involve their colleagues from specialty areas of law such as: environmental, immigration, insurance, labour and employment, municipal, and tax.

Corporate & Commercial: Cox & Palmer's Corporate & Commercial lawyers are involved in some of the largest transactions affecting business in the Atlantic Canada region, while at the same time providing advice and counsel to the small and medium-sized business sector. Our practice includes general corporate and commercial law, and our lawyers are highly skilled in specific areas such as acquisitions and divestitures, taxation and securities. The diverse skills of the members of our Corporate & Commercial Group allow us to provide a complete range of business law services.

Criminal: Cox & Palmer has extensive expertise and experience in criminal practice matters and has acted for both individuals and companies in many jurisdictions in Canada. We participate at hearings at all levels of courts, including Appellant courts in Atlantic Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Energy & Natural Resources: Cox & Palmer's energy and natural resources lawyers provide comprehensive commercial and regulatory advice on major offshore oil and gas projects to exploration and production companies, service companies, pipe laying companies, regulatory agents and governments. Our energy and natural resources lawyers work with our clients and other groups within the firm to provide timely and streamlined advice at every stage of our client's projects.

Engagements in the energy sector include counsel and chief negotiator on the Canada Nova Scotia offshore agreements, counsel and chief negotiator on the $12-billion Lower Churchill Hydro-Electric project, lead counsel on several major oil and gas projects offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, and lead counsel to the company on the $850 million privatization of Nova Scotia Power Corporation.

Environmental: We assist municipalities, mining companies, manufacturers, land-owners, lenders and others in a wide range of
environmental matters. Our services include advising and representing clients throughout the environmental assessment process and in prosecutions under environmental protection legislation. We frequently work with experts when dealing with environmental concerns in both commercial and industrial settings.

Estates & Trusts: Our lawyers understand the importance of our clients' confidentiality and exercise the utmost discretion when dealing with their affairs. We work with our clients to provide advice on the proper organization of their personal and business affairs to preserve capital and minimize taxes. We also provide advice on planning for incapacity through the use of enduring powers of attorney, health care directories and living wills. Where appropriate, we advise our clients on the use of holding companies and the effective treatment of foreign or multi-jurisdictional assets.

Family: Cox & Palmer provides practical advice on complex matters related to divorce, separation, marriage, separation agreements, custody disputes and child support. The firm has particular expertise in matters involving claims to business assets.

Financial Services, Banking & Insolvency: Banks, trust companies and term lenders have come to rely on our understanding of their unique priorities and objectives and on our ability to provide practical, decisive advice concerning their day-to-day management decisions. Our practice includes counselling clients on developments in regulatory issues and obligations, environmental liabilities, security evaluation and enforcement. We act in disputes arising out of credit transactions such as collections, guarantees, security assessment and realization, priority of claims, and the enforcement of rights in bankruptcy and receivership, as well as providing advice on corporate restructuring, workouts, receiverships, realizations and foreclosures.

Fisheries & Marine: Cox & Palmer's fisheries and marine lawyers provide prompt and effective legal representation to the domestic and international marine transportation, fishing and offshore energy industries. The group's clients range from inshore fishermen to owners, operators, insurers and financiers of the largest cargo, cruise and tank vessels. Legal services specifically offered by the fisheries and marine group include: admiralty litigation in Canada and internationally, regulatory and compliance services for the transportation, energy and fishing industries, conveyance and secured financing transactions involving ships and other marine assets, public and private international law issues, and insurance, environmental, commercial and claims matters arising in a marine context.

Health Law: We represent numerous health care facilities and professionals, as well as their respective insurers throughout Atlantic Canada. We have significant experience not only in medical negligence, disciplinary and regulatory matters, but also employment, environmental (including medical waste management), medical and pharmaceutical product liability, risk management and claims management.

Immigration: We provide a full range of immigration services, from advising clients as to which type of immigration application would have the greatest likelihood of success, to the preparation of Applications for Permanent Residence under the Provincial Nominee Programs and the Federal Skilled Worker, Family and Business Classes. We are able to provide these services in German, French and Spanish. In addition, we advise both employers seeking to hire foreign workers and individuals wishing to work in Canada, including under NAFTA and GATS, and prepare Study Permit Applications and Temporary Resident Visa Extension Applications.

Insurance Litigation: Cox & Palmer has one of the largest insurance practices in Atlantic Canada. Our experienced lawyers provide seamless service to major Canadian and international insurers, brokers, adjusters and self-insuring organizations. Our clients receive a uniform, regional approach to their claims management process. We are a member of Risk Management Counsel of Canada — a national association of independent law firms with expertise in meeting the needs of the risk management industry by providing a range of cost-effective and quality services for the insurance industry, risk retention groups and self-insureds. Where appropriate, we use innovative, early settlement techniques to avoid lengthy and costly litigation, including pre-trial settlement conferences, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Key service areas include: automobile liability, property damage, life and disability, professional liability, marine insurance, insurance-related environmental litigation, general liability, products liability, and insurance coverage.

Intellectual Property & Technology: Cox & Palmer has assembled a multidisciplinary team of business, litigation and employment lawyers who understand technology and intellectual property issues and who are able to provide timely and practical advice. We provide legal services in the areas of e-commerce, telecommunications, technology development and financing, technology transfer and licensing, advertising and promotion, competition, corporate governance, confidential information, commercial/intellectual property litigation, and biotechnology. From business formation and general business advice, to tax and securities structuring, we deliver the specific services required by our clients. We advise owner-operated companies, as well as corporations listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, in the IT, entertainment, telecommunications, energy and traditional business categories.

Labour & Employment: Our broad-based labour and employment law team advises both unionized and non-unionized employers in the private and public sector. Early intervention, combined with a thorough and ongoing knowledge of our clients' operations, permits us to offer timely advice to minimize or avoid complications arising from labour relations and employment problems. We regularly appear as counsel in all aspects of labour and employment law, including disputes relating to collective agreements, employment standards, human rights, occupational health and safety, pay equity, workers' compensation, wrongful dismissal and matters before the various tribunals which deal with these types of issues.

Municipal: The firm provides advice to municipalities with respect to by-law implementation and enforcement, amalgamation, waste management and environmental issues. We also provide representation to municipalities, individuals and businesses on issues concerning land development, planning, zoning and subdivisions.

Privacy: Collection, use and disclosure of personal information is a critical consideration for both business and individuals. Federal and provincial privacy and access laws, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), impact all areas of your business, and the culture of privacy is rapidly evolving. Our Privacy and Access to Information Group works with organizations and individuals to develop solutions for privacy and access law compliance and complaints. The Group advises clients on such matters as the preparation of privacy policies, strategies for ensuring compliance with the relevant privacy and access statutes, proper management of personal information, proper handling of access requests and/or privacy breach complaints, and submissions to both the Federal and Provincial Privacy Commissioners. Our lawyers have appeared before the Supreme Court, Trial Division and the Court of Appeal on privacy matters, and have extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of privacy and access law. Our privacy lawyers work with our clients and other practice groups within the firm to provide timely, valuable and sector-specific advice for our clients.

Real Estate: Atlantic Canada's real estate industry is vibrant and growing. Cox & Palmer's real estate lawyers act on behalf of commercial sellers and purchasers. We negotiate and prepare agreements of purchase & sale, draft conveyancing and financing documents, conduct appropriate searches and offer advice on all aspects of a real estate transaction. The firm regularly acts on behalf of both borrowers and lenders (including banks, trust companies and insurance companies) with respect to local, national and international financing transactions. Our experience in municipal and planning law enhances our ability to advise commercial and residential property developers, municipalities and lenders on development issues. We advise on development agreements, municipal service agreements, land use by-laws, municipal planning strategies, environmental issues, construction contracts and financing agreements. We act regularly for individuals in the purchase and sale of residential properties, including condominiums.

Securities & Corporate Finance: Cox & Palmer acts on behalf of issuers, underwriters and purchasers in public and private placements of securities. We have extensive experience in negotiating terms, preparing prospectuses and ensuring that all securities filings and other regulatory obligations are met at both national and provincial levels. We provide coordinated region wide services in Atlantic Canada for national offerings and other securities related transactions. We advise our clients on a range of corporate governance issues and act as general counsel to both private and public companies. We have an excellent working relationship with provincial securities commissions and stock exchanges in various jurisdictions.

Small & Medium Sized Enterprises: Cox & Palmer's lawyers understand the needs of growing businesses. We are committed to providing timely and practical advice to assist our clients in their day-to-day operations and growth plans. We offer legal solutions for all stages of business development, from start-up to public offerings, including business organization and incorporation, contract negotiation and drafting, business financing, employment, technology and intellectual property, hiring foreign workers, business dispute resolution, collections, litigation, real estate and leasing, securities, succession planning and taxation.

Tax: Constructive, practical and understandable tax advice is an essential component of business, estate and succession planning. Cox & Palmer's specialized tax lawyers provide individual and business tax consulting and planning, as well as representation before federal and provincial taxing authorities and the courts. Our tax specialists provide customized advisory services in all aspects of tax law, including corporate financings and restructurings, purchasing and selling assets and shares, financing acquisitions and operations, corporate reorganizations, personal and family business matters, inter vivos and testamentary trusts, partnerships, succession, and related matters. Our tax lawyers also have extensive experience with both negotiating and litigating tax disputes with the Canadian Revenue Agency and provincial taxing authorities.

Language capabilities: English, French, German and Spanish