Vancouver firm Bull Housser to combine with global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright and Bull Housser announce their combination, bringing together two firms providing progressive and innovative solutions to meet the legal needs of clients in British Columbia, Canada and globally. The combination, under the Norton Rose Fulbright name, maintains Norton Rose Fulbright’s growth and momentum.

The decision to combine also reflects the cultural compatibility of both firms and their shared vision to always maintain a client-centric focus.

Charles Hurdon, Managing Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright said:

“Our respective clients want simplified access to our firm across Canada, the U.S. western seaboard and the Pacific Rim. This combination addresses their need for that and provides a Vancouver presence.  It also supports our clients with the regional and market knowledge required to capitalize on the domestic and foreign investment and development opportunities in British Columbia.”  

Norton Rose Fulbright and Bull Housser have complementary strengths and combined, they offer market leading capability in energy, mining, infrastructure, financial services, real estate, shipping, ports, life sciences and healthcare, and technology.

Janet Grove, managing partner of Bull Housser said:

“We have enjoyed good relationships with Norton Rose Fulbright over many years and believe that Norton Rose Fulbright reflects an approach to service, and has a culture of diversity and excellence, that is well-aligned with our own.”

In British Columbia, Bull Housser has been a significant part of the business community for more than a century, actively contributing to the Province’s evolution into Canada’s fastest growing economy with essential links to the Asia Pacific region.   

“British Columbia has become a global leader in a range of industries, and we have enjoyed assisting our clients with many projects that have transformed business and the landscape both in British Columbia and elsewhere. While still preserving and growing our extensive British Columbia expertise at home, through this combination our clients will now have seamless and timely access to first-rate legal support wherever they do business,” said Grove.

Bull Housser’s move to Norton Rose Fulbright’s global platform delivers three key advantages for clients: innovative service offerings, improved efficiencies through advanced technology and systems and access to leading legal advisors around the globe.

Peter Martyr, Chief Executive, Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

“It has been our strategy to be a leader in law firm transformation by building multi-jurisdictional capabilities and deep industry expertise.  We are one of the fastest-growing law firms in the world and in just over five years, have established a presence in Australia, Canada, South and North Africa, Latin America and Central Asia. The combination with Bull Housser, following our recent establishment of an office in San Francisco reinforces our growing Pacific Rim practice.”

Charles Hurdon continues as Canadian managing partner for Norton Rose Fulbright and Janet Grove will remain the managing partner of the Vancouver office. Vancouver will retain its full range of legal services and lawyers supported by an established and experienced pool of Canadian and global legal talent.

Within the legal industry, Norton Rose Fulbright is consistently ranked number one in multiple categories by Acritas, Chambers Global, The Financial Post League Tables and was recently named Best Law Firm of 2016 by Best Lawyers. Bull Housser also holds a leading practice position and has a number of highly ranked partners by external rating organizations, such as Chambers Global, Legal 500, Lexpert and Best Lawyers.

For further information, please contact Norton Rose Fulbright's global media team.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3800 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare.

Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Bull Housser

Bull Housser is a Vancouver-based law firm with a 126-year history of handling projects and transactions in areas that are key to Canada’s economic growth, including energy; mining, infrastructure; financial services; real estate; maritime; wealth preservation; local government; technology; life sciences and healthcare.

Bull Housser is one of Vancouver’s largest law firms, with 92 lawyers and over 140 staff. It acts for international, national and local businesses, financial institutions, governments, associations and not-for-profit organizations.   

Ranked as one of Western Canada’s leading regional law firms, Bull Housser’s lawyers and alumni have played an integral role in the development of B.C.'s economy and its legal system, advising on some of the largest projects and transactions in the history of the Province.