Matt Riskin Commences at McLennan Ross as Partner

Why It Matters

Riskin’s hire strengthens McLennan Ross’s litigation depth in western Canada, enhancing its ability to serve complex health‑care and professional liability clients. The move signals the firm’s aggressive talent strategy to capture market share in a competitive legal landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Riskin joins McLennan Ross as Edmonton partner, expanding health law team
• Brings 12+ years of litigation experience across Alberta and Saskatchewan
• Previously a Bennett Jones partner, ranked top in medical negligence defense
• McLennan Ross also added female managing partner and insurance litigator

Pulse Analysis

The Canadian legal market has seen a surge in lateral moves as firms vie for niche expertise, and McLennan Ross’s latest addition underscores that trend. By recruiting Matt Riskin, the firm not only bolsters its Edmonton footprint but also deepens its capabilities in health‑law and professional liability, sectors that have grown in complexity due to evolving regulatory frameworks and heightened litigation risk. This strategic hire aligns with the firm’s broader push to position itself as a go‑to provider for high‑stakes disputes in western Canada.

Riskin’s portfolio is notable for its breadth: from defending medical negligence claims to navigating corporate and commercial disputes across provincial courts and tribunals. His prior tenure at Bennett Jones, where he earned a top Lexpert ranking for representing defendants in medical negligence and professional liability matters, adds credibility to McLennan Ross’s litigation bench. Moreover, his pre‑legal experience in commodities trading and portfolio management equips him with a commercial acumen that resonates with clients in financial services, energy, and insurance sectors seeking counsel that bridges legal and business perspectives.

McLennan Ross’s talent acquisition does not stop with Riskin. The firm recently appointed Joyce Mitchell as its first female managing partner in Calgary and added insurance‑defence specialist Cody Van de Veen to Edmonton. These moves reflect a deliberate strategy to diversify leadership and expand practice depth, signaling confidence to existing and prospective clients. For businesses, the firm’s reinforced team promises more robust representation in high‑value disputes, while the market watches as lateral hiring continues to reshape the competitive dynamics among Canada’s leading law firms.