McMillan LLP
9 lawyers · City of Toronto, City of Ottawa, Montréal, Metro Vancouver, Calgary Region
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 764 handling Business & Corporate Law.
About McMillan LLP
McMillan LLP is a national business law firm with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. The firm traces its roots to 1903, when Newton Rowell founded the practice that grew into McMillan. From those five offices, the firm works on corporate and commercial law, litigation, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, insurance, construction and tax matters, drawing on what it describes as more than 300 business lawyers firm wide. Its Toronto office sits at Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, in what the firm calls one of Canada's most competitive and sophisticated legal markets, and the firm also highlights cross border work in Canada-Asia relations.
The firm's pro bono work goes back to its founder. Newton Rowell acted as counsel to the five women who brought the 1929 Persons case, in which Canada's highest court of appeal at the time ruled that women were eligible for appointment to the Senate. McMillan also represented the plaintiff, on a pro bono basis, in M. v. H., the Supreme Court of Canada decision that recognized spousal support rights and obligations for same sex couples for the first time. In 2025, Canadian Lawyer Magazine named McMillan a 5-Star Pro Bono Law Firm for the third year running.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Newton Rowell founded the firm in 1903 and later acted as counsel to the five women who brought the 1929 Persons case, in which the British Privy Council ruled that women were eligible for appointment to the Senate under the British North America Act.
- On a pro bono basis, McMillan represented the plaintiff in M. v. H., the Supreme Court of Canada decision that recognized spousal support rights and obligations for same sex couples for the first time.
- Canadian Lawyer Magazine named McMillan a 5-Star Pro Bono Law Firm in 2025, the third consecutive year the firm made the list, placing it among the top ten pro bono law firms in Canada.
- McMillan reports providing nearly $1 million a year in pro bono legal counsel, including work with Pro Bono Law Ontario, Calgary Small Claims Duty and Access to Justice Vancouver.
- The 2026 Chambers Global Directory recognized 26 McMillan lawyers with a combined 31 rankings across 15 practice areas.
- McMillan was named among Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026 and ranked second on Forbes Canada's Best Employers list for 2026.
In the community
- The Daily Bread Food Bank Foundation gave McMillan's Toronto office its Chair's Special Award for long-term involvement, and the office raised $5,649 for the food bank in 2024.
- Since 2019, members of the Toronto office have run the Sporting Life 10K in support of Campfire Circle, a camp program for kids with cancer, raising $3,400 in 2024.
- Toronto firm members raised more than $55,000 in 2024 taking part in the Princess Margaret Walk to Conquer Cancer.
- In the 2024 RBC Race for Kids, the Toronto team raised $6,335 for the Family Navigation Project at Sunnybrook, which helps youth and families reach mental health and addictions services.
- Toronto firm members take part in Take Our Kids to Work Day with The Learning Partnership and the Government of Ontario, a program that includes a tour of the Superior Court of Justice.
- The Toronto office's articling students hold an annual bake sale for Give a Night, raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation's work fighting HIV and AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Woman-owned
LGBTQ+ friendly
By appointmentLawyers 9
Andrea Arbuthnot
Associate, Tax
Tax Law
Bukola Adelusi
Associate, Financial Services
Business & Corporate Law
Christian Abouchaker
Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions | Private Equity & Venture Capital
Business & Corporate Law
Darcy Ammerman
Partner, Banking & Finance | Insurance
Insurance Law
Jason J. Annibale
Partner, Construction & Infrastructure
Construction LawReal Estate Law
John Alsbergas
Associate, Capital Markets & Securities
Business & Corporate Law
Mitchell Allison
Partner, Commercial Real Estate
Real Estate Law
Spencer Atin
Associate, Restructuring & Insolvency
Bankruptcy & Insolvency
Yemisi Afolabi
Associate, Capital Markets & Securities
Business & Corporate Law
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2014–2025 · median 4 years in practice 7 of 9 lawyers
- Law schools
- Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Toronto Metropolitan University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Osgoode Hall Law School, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Alberta, University of Ibadan and 1 more 7 of 9 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- English, French
Who handles what
Offices 5
The neighbourhood
McMillan's Toronto office is in Suite 4400 at Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, in what the firm's own materials describe as one of Canada's most competitive and sophisticated legal markets. From that address, the Toronto team works alongside the firm's offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal, drawing on a bench the firm describes as more than 300 business lawyers nationally.
The firm points to Toronto's standing as one of Canada's most diverse, dynamic and globally connected cities as part of how its local office is built, aiming for a range of perspectives and expertise to match the needs of the business clients it serves there.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of law does McMillan practice in Toronto?
- McMillan is a national business law firm. From its Toronto office, lawyers advise on business and corporate law, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, insurance, construction and tax matters, among other areas.
- Can McMillan represent a company in a restructuring or insolvency proceeding?
- Yes. The firm's restructuring and insolvency practice handles CCAA and related matters; a McMillan led restructuring was named a Deal of the Year at the 2026 Canadian Law Awards.
- Does McMillan handle commercial real estate transactions?
- Yes. Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Finance and Leasing are among the firm's practices, alongside Business and Corporate Law.
- How big is McMillan and where are its offices?
- McMillan describes itself as having more than 300 business lawyers, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
- Where is McMillan's Toronto office and how do I contact it?
- The office is at Brookfield Place, Suite 4400, 181 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3. It can be reached at 416.865.7000, or toll free at 1.888.622.4624.
- Does McMillan provide pro bono legal help?
- Yes. McMillan reports providing nearly $1 million a year in pro bono legal services, working with organizations such as Pro Bono Law Ontario and, in Toronto, groups including A Way Home and the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation.
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Construction LawBusiness & Corporate LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗