The firm also unveiled new executive committee members and welcomed a new lawyer
McLennan Ross has appointed Calgary-based senior partner Joyce Mitchell as its first female managing partner.
In this capacity, she will progress the firm’s strategic priorities, enhance client relationships, cultivate talent, and lead community investment. The labour, employment, and human rights law expert has been on the firm’s executive committee for 13 years.
Mitchell has been with McLennan Ross for 18 years and has sat on the firm’s strategic planning committee. She has mentored junior lawyers and advocated for professional development opportunities.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Joyce for over a decade on the firm’s executive committee. I am confident that her legal acumen, growth mindset, and strong ability to drive consensus will continue McLennan Ross’ growth and unwavering commitment to client service,” said Steve Livingstone, Mitchell’s predecessor, in a statement.
Mitchell has been practising for over three decades. She has tackled matters in union and non-union environments; she has also acted for employers before courts in Alberta and British Columbia as well as labour relations boards, grievance arbitrators, and human rights tribunals.
She has conducted workplace investigations and served as a negotiator.
New executive committee members
McLennan Ross also welcomed Pat Haughian and Erin Crosley to its executive committee. Haughian is a partner with the corporate commercial group who has collaborated with Indigenous governments, First Nation and Inuit development corporations, and Inuit-owned businesses. He maintains a practice in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Crosley focuses on commercial litigation, employment, and insurance and risk management. She champions innovation, professional growth, and inclusive leadership.
Labour and employment lawyer Maurice Dransfeld and chief operations officer Alistair Stead will remain on the executive committee. Dransfield has worked with employers on management-side matters like wrongful dismissal, terminations, employment standards, privacy, and human rights. Meanwhile, Stead manages McLennan Ross’ business, financial, and administrative operations; he brings almost two decades of finance and business planning experience.
Damon Bailey, who helped to lead the Calgary office last year, will step down from the committee.
New lawyer
Cody Van de Veen joined McLennan Ross’ Edmonton office as a lawyer. He focuses on insurance defence and commercial litigation.
He has tackled casualty, commercial and construction-related matters. He has also worked on municipal, insurance, real estate, and construction disputes; he has a particular interest in construction litigation.
Van de Veen has appeared before the Alberta Court of Justice and the Alberta Court of King’s Bench.
