La Presse spoke with Hugh MacKinnon and Pascale Dionne-Bourassa in an exclusive interview on the opening of Bennett Jones' new Montréal office. This is the first time that an Alberta law firm of the stature of Bennett Jones has decided to set up shop west of the Ottawa River.

Hugh says, “The energy transition was certainly a factor in our move to Montreal. Quebec and Alberta are both energy-producing provinces and it is a key sector of the economy. We want to help western companies do transactions in Quebec in all sectors of activity, just as we want to help Quebec companies that want to make acquisitions or partnerships with western companies."

Pascale told La Presse that, "For me, it is a turning point to join this great office. I am the first partner in Montreal and we are now looking for talent and we see that there is interest. We have a great culture to share and we want to participate in the revitalization of downtown … we expect to have a team of 100 lawyers in Montreal within five years."