Our History

Our heritage lies in some of the most well-respected firms in Atlantic Canada. Founded in 1859, McInnes Cooper has supported clients through nearly every major event in Atlantic Canada’s history since our beginning. Ever-evolving to meet the needs of our clients across the region, we’ve grown through strategic alliances and partnerships – both locally and globally – to expand our mandate of serving clients with a relentless focus on their long term success.

With over 160 years in business, we have counselled clients and community partners through extraordinary times. Today, we remain dedicated to being your trusted legal advisor as you shape the future success of your business.

• The firm acted for the White Star Line in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
• When the French munitions ship Mont Blanc exploded in Halifax Harbour in 1917, McInnes Cooper was retained to represent its owners.
• McInnes Cooper represented Mitsubishi, the builder of the Ocean Ranger when it capsized off the coast of Newfoundland in 1982.
• The firm acted for the Province of Nova Scotia in the Royal Commission into the Wrongful Conviction of Donald Marshall Junior.
• When Nova Scotia Power was privatized in 1993, the firm handled part of the legal work in what was at the time, the largest IPO in Canadian history.
• In 2007, McInnes Cooper scored a tremendous win for The Beaverbrook Art Gallery in the dispute between the Gallery and the Beaverbrook UK Foundation over competing claims to ownership of 133 works of art.
• The firm was lead counsel in the Manuge SISIP Clawback Class Action, initiated in March of 2007 on behalf of Dennis Manuge and all other disabled veterans whose SISIP Long Term Disability Benefits are reduced by the amount of the monthly VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) Disability Pension they receive under the Pension Act. On May 1st, 2012, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the Government of Canada acted illegally in making deductions from veterans’ long term disability benefits. On April 5, 2013 the Federal Court of Canada ruled in favour of the proposed settlement agreement with the Government of Canada. In further proceedings, a settlement was also achieved involving alleged miscalculation of Consumer Price Index adjustments of these benefits. The estimated total value of the approved settlements for disabled veterans is in excess of $900 million.

McInnes Cooper’s heritage lies in some of the most well-respected firms in Atlantic Canada. Through strategic alliances and partnerships with firms in Charlottetown, Fredericton, St. John’s and Sydney, the firm expanded its mandate to serve clients region-wide.

McInnes Cooper further expanded its footprint into Moncton, when partners Bernie Miller and Eric LeDrew opened the Moncton office in 1997 with Moncton lawyer Robert Radford, QC. In 2000, with the opening of the Saint John office, the firm had six locations in Atlantic Canada.

The St. John’s office grew further when McInnes Cooper merged with Ottenheimer Baker in 2014.

In 2022, McInnes Cooper expanded its reach in the Cape Breton market through a merger with The Breton Law Group, a firm based in Sydney, Cape Breton. The following spring, the firm strengthened its presence in Cape Breton by merging with another Sydney firm, LaFosse MacLeod.

We remain committed to the continued success of our region and clients.

McInnes Cooper has continued to expand to serve the needs of its clients and focus on their success, including working with international clients through our Lex Mundi membership.