Miller Thomson is pleased to announce that five lawyers have joined its legal team, effective May 1, 2024. This expansion highlights Miller Thomson’s commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to its clients and further strengthen and grow a modernized and expanded business law practice in Canada.
In Vancouver, Miller Thomson welcomes partners Michael Blatchford, Bryan Millman, as well as associate Daniel Szeto to its Charities & Not-for-Profit Group.
Michael Blatchford
Michael Blatchford advises clients in the charitable and tax-exempt sector on operational and governance matters. His clientele covers registered charities and non-profit organizations across healthcare, housing, education, arts, culture, environmental, and recreation and athletics sectors. Michael assists clients with governance, fundraising, tax matters, legal compliance, and regulatory dealings, including representation before the Canada Revenue Agency. He also supports charities in international work and social enterprise activities and serves as a parliamentarian and meeting advisor for organizations, facilitating complex meetings effectively. Michael collaborates with donors to develop philanthropic strategies and charitable giving structures.
Bryan Millman
Bryan Millman serves clients in the charitable and tax-exempt sector, including registered charities, not-for-profit organizations, and professional bodies. His expertise covers various sub-sectors like healthcare, education, social services, recreation, and environmental initiatives. Leveraging his background in commercial law, Bryan assists with charitable registration, governance, corporate structuring, compliance, fundraising, and tax issues. He also guides donors on philanthropic planning and advises foundations on operational and governance matters.
Daniel Szeto
Daniel Szeto, an associate, is establishing a specialized practice catering to clients within the charitable and tax-exempt sector. This includes registered charities, not-for-profit organizations, professional bodies, and similar entities. His role involves supporting senior counsel in guiding various matters such as charitable registration, governance, fundraising, and taxation.
Joining Miller Thomson in Ontario are Michael H. Clifton at its Waterloo office and Mark Kok at its London office, along with two paraprofessionals. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise in condominium management and development law, estate planning and administration, corporate/commercial law, and real property transactions. Their addition significantly enhances Miller Thomson’s capabilities in serving clients across various practice areas.
Michael Clifton
With over two decades of legal practice, Michael Clifton is widely recognized as an expert in Ontario condominium law, offering specialized solicitor and alternative dispute resolution services. Michael has provided legal assistance and advice to Ontario condominium developers, corporations, boards, managers, and unit owners for over 20 years. He has been a director on both local and national levels of the Canadian Condominium Institute, published numerous articles and other reference materials, and is a popular presenter and instructor at industry conferences and seminars.
Mark Kok
With extensive land development law experience, Mark Kok has represented various developer clients across Southwestern Ontario, focusing on condominium and land development. He has assisted his clients throughout all stages of the condominium and subdivision development processes, including acquisition, financing, drafting, marketing, sales, approvals, registration, and closings. Mark has deep experience with a wide range of developments, including both residential and commercial projects.
The integration of the new legal teams into Miller Thomson further solidifies its commitment to providing comprehensive legal solutions tailored to its clients’ evolving needs. With its extensive national platform, Miller Thomson is well positioned to deliver top-tier legal services across various practice areas.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Blatchford, Bryan Millman, Daniel Szeto, and their team as well as Michael, Mark, and their team to Miller Thomson,” says Jay Hoffman, Chair of the Business Law Group, Miller Thomson. “Michael Blatchford, Bryan, and Daniel bring singular expertise to our Charities & Not-for-Profit Group, strengthening our presence in Vancouver. Similarly, Michael and Mark’s addition significantly enhances our capabilities in condominium-related matters and expands our footprint in Ontario. We look forward to leveraging their expertise as we reinforce our bench strength to meet our customers’ specific needs better.”
