Ritch Durnford - Latest news

March 2010

Eric Durnford QC named as the “Halifax Best Lawyers Labour and Employment Lawyer of the Year” for 2010.
Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has named Eric Durnford QC as the “Halifax Best Lawyers Labour and Employment Lawyer of the Year” for 2010. Best Lawyers also name Murray Ritch QC for Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation and Matthew Williams for Maritime Law.

After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating “Lawyers of the Year” in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.”

Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The current edition of Best Lawyers is based on more than 2.8 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

The lawyers being honored as “Lawyers of the Year” have received particularly high ratings in our surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

Steven Naifeh, Managing Editor of Best Lawyers, says, “We continue to believe – as we have believed for more than 25 years – that recognition by one’s peers is the most meaningful form of praise in the legal profession. We would like to congratulate Eric Durnford QC on being selected as the ‘Halifax Best Lawyers Labour and Employment Lawyer of the Year’ for 2010.”

January 2010

Sarah Kirby joins Ritch Durnford
Ritch Durnford is pleased to welcome Sarah Kirby as its newest associate.

Sarah bolsters the firm’s maritime law group as an active member of the maritime law community and was named in the maritime law section of the peer-review publication "The Best Lawyers in Canada" in both 2008 and 2009.

Sarah’s maritime law experience is wide-ranging and includes hull and machinery claims, P&I representation, defence of regulatory prosecutions, contract disputes, ship arrests, marine pollution, collisions, cargo claims, crew issues including personal injury, stowaways and deserters, and demurrage.

A graduate of Dalhousie Law School called to the Nova Scotian Bar in 2000, Sarah lives in Halifax with her husband Willy and two sons.

Ritch Durnford at the Supreme Court of Canada
Partner Matt Williams and legal analyst John Hedley appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on January 20th and 21st, 2010, in a matter indexed as Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd. v. Canada (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food).

The case began when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued, revoked and then re-issued grain importation permits with conditions. Parrish & Heimbecker complied with the permits and sued the Crown for damages it attributes to the delay and the revised conditions.

Representing Parrish & Heimbecker through three levels of the Federal Court, Matt argued that Parrish & Heimbecker should be allowed to proceed directly in its damages claim against the Crown.

The Crown's position, supported by the 2005 Federal Court of Appeal decision in Grenier v. Canada, is that the plaintiff must first successfully challenge the validity or lawfulness of the underlying decision of a federal agency by way of judicial review.

The Court reserved judgment. Updates to follow.

East Coast law firm fuses fun, hard work
Reprinted with permission from "The Lawyer's Weekly" Vol. 29, No. 33 - January 15, 2010
Donalee Moulton Halifax
    There is something that happens each Friday afternoon at Ritch Durnford. Lawyers and staff at the downtown Halifax firm start to move away from their desks and head for the kitchen. Soon everyone is there. Some people are enjoying a beer; others are having a bite. Everyone is having a good time.
    Friday afternoon get-togethers are part of the weekly rhythm of working at Ritch Durnford - and one of the reasons the 61-year-old firm was named in the top ten best places to work in Atlantic Canada in 2009. Ritch Durnford, claiming seventh spot, was the only law firm to break the top ten. (Cox & Palmer and McInnes Cooper also made the list, coming in at 16th and 24th, respectively.)
    One reason for the breakthrough: unity. "We are a team," senior partner Murray Ritch told The Lawyers Weekly. "People work well together. They take pride."
    That's not just wishful thinking. As part of the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada project, a survey was sent to all staff and all lawyers at the firm, which was founded in 1948. A report was then prepared by the project organizers.
    Here's some of what lawyers and staff had to say about working at Ritch Durnford. "Everyone is respectful." "It's a fair and equitable environment that rewards hard work." "They make you feel like you're important to the firm."
        That high praise is not a result of luck. It's a result of a sound business strategy and a commitment to building the best possible team. The latter starts when lawyers are hired, said Durnford, a graduate of Dalhousie Law School and the Program on Mediation at Harvard Law School. "Fit is very important. We expect the lawyers not only to do well in the law but also to create work and to market themselves."
    That expectation is in keeping with the firm's expectations for itself. In June 2008, Ritch Durnford expanded the firm to include an extensive practice in the areas of labour and employment law and the firm welcomed aboard partners Eric Durnford and Nancy Barteaux, as well as legal analyst Amy Bradbury.
    "That really ratcheted up our profile," said Ritch.
    It is also a beginning, not an end in itself. "We plan to continue growing in areas where we are strong," said Ritch. "We never want to be all things to all people."
    The firm, which has been called the leading litigation and specialty boutique firm in Nova Scotia, specializes in eight key areas including insurance defence, labour & employment law, dispute resolution and mediation, municipal law, and admiralty, environmental and marine law. Its success, however, is founded on service to clients.
    Take, for example, a recent - and last-minute - request from the firm's biggest client for an analysis of issues for a regional conference. The call came in at 3:30 p.m.; the report was needed for 8 a.m. the next morning. Ritch and three of the firm's analysts, all lawyers, stayed until 2 a.m. to prepare the 38-page report. Ritch's assistant came in at 6:30 a.m. to assemble the report and get it to the client.
    "It looked great. We're proud of it," says Ritch.
    Then comes the fun. "There is a very strong and spontaneous reaction to good results," said Eric Durnford. "There's a desire to celebrate the success of the person that achieved it. Everybody does this."
    Staff, of course, look to senior partners to see what is expected and acceptable. Ritch calls the firm's leadership style "management by walking around," and, he noted, that is much easier when the whole team resides on the same floor. "We run into each other."
    That helps to build the camaraderie and shared understanding that defines Ritch Durnford, but there both senior partners understand they have a key role to play. "Everybody contributes, but it is important to see people like me and Eric setting the tone," said Ritch.
    Lawyers and staff pick up and respond to that tone. "People know where the line is, but everyone has access," said Ritch. "Everyone's opinion matters. There is a sharing of information."
    And the occasional four iron. Ritch Durnford's annual golf tournament for clients exemplifies this. The intent is to say thanks. The intent is to have a good time. "It's not a schmooze fest," said Ritch.
    And it's not about business, noted Durnford. "This is not a marketing opportunity. We are not here to get files. We're here to have fun. We're here to say thank you."
    Clients certainly seem to appreciate the intent - and the day itself. "People say this is one tournament they won't miss," said Ritch. "It's very relaxed."
    That relaxed atmosphere is reflected back at the office. However, as the firm grows, so does its formal structure. "We are in the process of developing more policies," said Ritch.
    Some policies, not surprisingly, are fairly standard - enhanced maternity benefits, for example. Others are more reflective of the philosophy of the firm. Take, for instance, the fact that a certain amount of money is given to employees to put towards gym memberships.
    Ritch Durnford is also a supporter of the community and encourages this in its team. Most recently the firm dipped its oar in Olympic sponsorship. It is providing financial support to well-known paddlers Andrew and Ben Russell through to the 2012 Games in London. "It's an opportunity for us to support people on a local level," said Ritch.
    Giving back, Ritch believes, is central to the part law firms play in their communities. "There are a variety of ways you can give back to the community. This is the way we have chosen."
    It's not just that the firm is located in the same community as the Russell brothers, or even that Ritch has personally known the athletes for several years, it's also what the two men represent. "They're great role models," noted Ritch. "They fit the kind of people we have working here."
    Those are the kind of people who will stay up until 2 a.m. to meet the needs of a client, then make their way to the lunchroom on Friday afternoon to unwind with their colleagues.

August 2009

World-class paddlers receive financial boost from firm
(from left to right) Murray J. Ritch, Q.C., Andrew Russell, Ben Russell, Eric Durnford, Q.C.

Murray J. Ritch, Q.C. and Eric Durnford, Q.C. present paddlers Andrew and Ben Russell with a cheque on the shores of Lake Banook in Dartmouth, NS. Murray and Eric caught the Russell brothers during a rare break as they prepared for the 2009 ICF World Sprint Canoe Championships.

This summer, Ritch Durnford Lawyers agreed to sponsor the Russell brothers through the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Older brother Andrew has already competed at the Olympic level, wearing Canadian colours in the C2 event in the 2008 Beijing Games. Younger brother Ben c laimed a spot on the national team during this summer’s trials in the C4 event.

The firm is happy to support local athletes such as Andrew and Ben as they strive for podium finishes at both the World Championships and eventually the London Games.

July 2009

An Even Better Place to Work
Progress magazine unveiled its "Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada" on Friday, June 19 and Ritch Durnford once again claimed top spot among regional law firms. The only firm to crack the top 20 in 2008, Ritch Durnford jumped to No. 7 in the overall 2009 rankings.

The "Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada" competition ranks regional companies with the best practices and highest employee satisfaction as determined by surveys completed by company employees.

The 2009 rankings were unveiled by Progress magazine and partner Best Companies Group at a luncheon hosted at the Four Points by Sheraton in Halifax.

Welcoming Kelly Crewson, the firm’s new ED
Ritch Durnford is pleased to welcome Kelly Crewson as its new Executive Director.

Kelly boasts over 20 years of experience in management positions, most recently working as a company comptroller in Panama City, Florida. She now returns to Nova Scotia with her family, joining Ritch Durnford in June 2009.

Kelly received her undergraduate degree from Dalhousie University and her Certificate in Financial Management from Saint Mary’s University. Continuing her devotion to local places of higher education, she’s working on a Business Administration degree from Mount Saint Vincent University.

January 2009

New year, new name, new look!
The firm wishes everyone Happy New Year as we welcome 2009. With tremendous pleasure, we announce that as of January 1, 2009 we are changing our name to Ritch Durnford. Our new name reflects the exciting changes and growth we've experienced in recent months.

The updated website incorporates the firm’s new name and our personnel’s new e-mail addresses. In the meantime, Ritch Durnford’s commitment to providing top-notch legal service remains an continuing tradition we’re proud to maintain.

Recognition from LEXPERT
The Canadian Legal LEXPERT directory annually recognizes the best in national legal services, as recognized by leading practitioners themselves. Ritch Durnford is pleased to have been named the leading commercial insurance boutique firm in Halifax in the most recent LEXPERT rankings.

On a related note, the firm congratulates both Murray J. Ritch, Q.C. (commercial insurance and personal injury litigation), and Eric Durnford, Q.C. (management-side labour and employment) for once again being named by their peers as leading practitioners in their respective fields.

August 2008

Huestis Ritch named one of the "Best Places to Work"
Progress Magazine named Huestis Ritch as one of the "Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada" for 2008. The only law firm among the magazine's list of 20 organizations, Huestis Ritch was recognized for everything from its team-oriented work environment to its unique benefits package and ongoing recruitment and retention policies.

July 2008

Huestis Ritch bolsters ranks during summer of ‘08
The summer of 2008 proved to be a fruitful period for Huestis Ritch in terms of adding top-notch personnel. The firm was pleased to add paralegal Virginia Maidment and legal assistants Ann Lisney, Ann McCully and Marylin McMullen during the months of July and August.

June 2008

Huestis Ritch goes into labour (law)
Huestis Ritch was very pleased to welcome partners Eric Durnford, Q.C., and Nancy Barteaux and legal analyst Amy Bradbury to its ranks in June 2008 as the firm greatly expanded its labour and employment capabilities. Eric and Nancy have long distinguished themselves as leading management side labour and employment lawyers in Atlantic Canada and bring with them experience and expertise sure to benefit Huestis Ritch's existing and new clients.

Andrew Gough called to the bar
Huestis Ritch congratulates Andrew Gough on his successful transition from articled clerk to the firm's newest associate. Andrew, a graduate of Dalhousie's law program in 2007, excelled during his articling year and will be a valuable member of Huestis Ritch's insurance defence team. His call to the provincial bar occurred in June 2008.