ABORIGINAL LAW

WITTEN LLP acts as counsel to a number of First Nations and Metis Associations in the Province of Alberta on a variety of matters ranging from issues of governance to providing advice on corporate, commercial and litigation matters.

On behalf of our aboriginal clients we have negotiated with governments and resource companies on matters relating to the environment and the development of natural resources.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

WITTEN LLP is a leader in the dynamic and relatively new area of access to information and privacy law. Our firm has been actively providing advice and support to clients looking to access government information, public bodies dealing with access requests or privacy issues and government departments in need of legal opinions on complex access and privacy issues. We also provide advice and support to corporations implementing privacy policies for their organization.

In order to stay on the leading edge of this emerging field, our lawyers developed and published the Annotated Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This book serves as a summary and explanation of the Alberta FOIP Act and is used extensively by professionals working in this sensitive practice area.

ACQUISITIONS

WITTEN LLP offers clients expert assistance in all areas, from purchases and sales of small businesses to complex acquisitions, mergers, amalgamations and divestitures. Our team of business lawyers provides experience and service from planning and negotiation of the transactions through to closing and post closing transitional matters. WITTEN LLP provides clients with experienced counsel together with energetic and efficient service so that transactions are completed successfully and on time.

ARBITRATION / ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Our lawyers have acted as arbitrators and mediators to resolve disputes. We have been involved as counsel for clients in multi-party mediation proceedings. We believe Alternate Dispute Resolution is an effective and cost efficient means of solving complex issues.

* Member, Alberta Arbitration & Mediation Society

BANKING

Throughout the history of WITTEN LLP, we have represented a variety of banks, trust companies and financial institutions in all aspects of their corporate and business affairs. Our experience in this field and our extensive client base speak for themselves, and we are proud to represent most Canadian financial institutions.

Our involvement, beyond the necessary corporate and strategic planning stages, includes all aspects of loan documentation - from initial commitment through to security preparation and, if necessary, realization.

WITTEN LLP's experience in this area is also an asset to the firm's clients seeking advice relating to their relationships with their lenders. We provide guidance on letters of credit, secured and unsecured financing, debtors' and creditors' rights and bankruptcy and receivership matters.

BANKRUPTCY

WITTEN LLP provides advice to both individuals and corporations (whether creditor or debtor) facing stressful economic circumstances. A major portion of this work involves developing and implementing strategies that ensure these difficulties are dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible.

In some cases, the result is a controlled liquidation of assets, yet in others the selection of an appropriate trustee or receiver is of utmost importance. Whatever the situation, we are consistently driven by ensuring that each client knows they have an effective advocate who will guide them through what is often the most trying time in their business career.

BUSINESS LITIGATION

WITTEN LLP provides counsel to individuals and corporations involved in all manner of business disputes. Our litigation lawyers have appeared at all levels of Court in Alberta and the Supreme Court of Canada, and have experience in alternate dispute resolution methods including arbitration and mediation. We have acted as arbitrators and mediators to resolve disputes.

We have assisted clients in dealing with investigations, providing education, training and policy development, and appearing at commission and board hearings and appeals.

Our experience and expertise in all areas enables us to serve the needs of our clients effectively, economically and efficiently. Although this experience spans a range of areas, we are widely recognized for our work in the following areas:

• Contract and Commercial Disputes
• Negligence
• Banking law
• Securities
• Environmental
• Product liability
• Construction
• Insurance law
• Estates
• Planning and Development
• Franchising
• Intellectual Property
• Forensic Investigations
• Real Estate

BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS

See ACQUISITIONS.

COMMERCIAL REORGANIZATIONS

See BANKRUPTCY.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

The quality of residential and commercial construction in Alberta is very high. However sometimes problems occur. There may be defects in design or workmanship and materials. Structural failure or geotechnical problems may be part of the problem. Often it is not just one problem but a series of problems due to a failure of proper planning and coordination among the people who were responsible for construction. Control of moisture and prevention of moulds are also areas of increasing concern.

We can assist you in evaluating construction problems and help you determine if you have a viable legal remedy. We are experienced in handling the legal remedies for defective construction including litigation, arbitration and mediation.

CORPORATE / COMMERCIAL LAW

WITTEN LLP has extensive experience in dealing with complex corporate matters, and we are recognized leaders in this specialized field. Our practice encompasses business corporations, non-profit and charitable corporations and societies, technology concerns and regulated financial institutions. The list of clients we represent is broad, ranging in size from small, locally-owned family businesses to large international corporations.

Clients are counseled and assisted in organization and incorporation, preparation of proxy circulars, corporate and securities filings, shareholder agreements and disputes and reorganizations. We have also assisted a number of corporations in financial difficulty in the restructuring of their business and financing.

Charting a successful course for business is essential from day one. For this reason, we encourage clients to contact us early in their dealings so that each corporate transaction can be structured with an overarching, efficient strategy in mind.

CREDITORS REMEDIES

WITTEN LLP has extensive experience in acting for and advising financial institutions and commercial clients looking to solve their secured and unsecured loan problems. Our work is driven by the belief that each of our clients deserves maximum recovery as quickly as possible, at a reasonable cost.

In today's economy, maximizing profit while keeping expenses low is a mandate that many financial institutions and businesses have staked their reputation on. WITTEN LLP understands this goal, and we ensure that receivables, whether secured or unsecured, are maximized quickly, and at a reasonable cost to our clients.

DEBT REALIZATION

See CREDITORS REMEDIES.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

WITTEN LLP provides legal representation and advice to individuals, businesses, associations and trade unions dealing with employment matters.

Our range of services reflects each important stage of the employment process, from start to finish. Beginning with the review and drafting of employment contracts, to advising on dismissal and negotiating severance packages, WITTEN LLP's experience has proven to be a valuable asset to our clients.

Employment issues can be complex and there are often a number of organizations involved during each stage of the process. To support our clients along the way, we provide advice on many other areas of employment including W.C.B. claims, human rights issues, employment insurance, pensions, disability claims, and group insurance.

ENTERTAINMENT LAW

See SPORTS LAW.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

WITTEN LLP represents a wide range of clients affected by environmental law and regulation including lenders, landowners, business clients, individuals and government. Our broad base of experience provides a comprehensive knowledge of issues surrounding the environment, including:

• Contaminated land
• Environmental aspects of business transactions such as the purchase, sale and financing of lands and businesses
• Environmental approvals
• Environmental audits
• Proceeding before courts and environmental boards
• Hearings and inquiries
• Environmental litigation
• Defence of environmental prosecutions
• Preparing corporate environmental policies for protection of the company, its directors and officers

Our community and professional involvement includes membership and participation in a number of organizations, including:

• Environmental Law Centre
• Community Air Quality Monitoring Project
• University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension, Lecturer Environmental Issues
• Canadian Bar Association, Environmental Law Subsection

ESTATES

See FINANCIAL PLANNING.