St. John’s law firms, Cox & Palmer and Benson Buffett, are pleased to announce that they have officially merged as of February 17, 2025, creating one of the largest full-service law firms in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Joining Cox & Palmer are 12 lawyers, two articled clerks and 20 staff from predecessor firm, Benson Buffett, which was established in 1980 and grew to be one of the largest independent law firms in the province with a strong focus on business and civil litigation.

Operating under the Cox & Palmer name, the combined firm now has 45 lawyers in St. John’s, making it one of the largest law firms in the province.

“This merger strengthens the firm’s position in the marketplace and provides clients with access to a broader range of expertise and resources,” said Todd Stanley, KC, Managing Partner of Cox & Palmer’s St. John’s office.

“We share the same values and vision when it comes to creating opportunities for innovation and growth. Together, we will be able to better serve both new and existing clients,” said Katrina Gibbons, Partner, Cox & Palmer and former Managing Director at Benson Buffett.

We would like to welcome our new lawyers to the St. John’s office of Cox & Palmer:

David B. Baird, KC, Counsel – David has over 50 years of experience as a lawyer, focusing primarily on personal injury law, civil litigation, family law, real estate law, wills and estates law and corporate and commercial matters.

Jeffrey P. Benson, KC, Partner – Jeffrey has over four decades of experience, practicing primarily corporate and commercial law. He also advises on banking and secured financing, securities, mergers and acquisitions, health law, administrative law and litigation matters.

David G. L. Buffett, KC, Counsel – David has over 50 years of experience as a lawyer, focusing on civil litigation, personal injury, insurance law, criminal law and employment law. His civil litigation practice has a heavy personal injury and insurance component, while his employment law practice includes acting as a labour arbitrator.

Ken Byrne, Counsel – Ken has a dynamic legal practice focusing on immigration law, litigation and real property law. His immigration experience involves working with families to sponsor loved ones and employers with employee work permits. He has a broad litigation practice, and his real property experience includes tax assessment appeals to the power of sales and representing subdivision developers in all aspects of bringing their properties to market.

Katrina R. M. Gibbons, Partner – Katrina has developed a diverse practice primarily focused on family law, corporate law and real estate law. Throughout her more than 10 years of experience, she has appeared before various divisions of the Provincial and the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Brett M. K. Ludlow, Counsel – Brett maintains a varied legal practice primarily focused on real estate law, personal injury law, family law, civil litigation and wills and estates. Throughout his more than 15 years of experience, he has appeared before the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Provincial Court of Newfoundland.

Olga McWilliam Benson, Partner – With 24 years of experience as a lawyer, Olga’s primary area of practice is personal injury litigation. She also advises on litigation, real estate law and wills and estates matters. Olga regularly appears before various levels of court.

The Honourable David B. Orsborn, KC, Counsel – After retiring from 27 years on the Supreme Court, David returned to private practice in 2021. David has extensive experience in judicial dispute resolution and currently practices alternative dispute resolution to help clients resolve matters fairly and efficiently.

Gary F. Peddle, KC, Partner – Gary has over 35 years of experience, primarily practicing real estate law, corporate and commercial law and secured financial matters. He also maintains an employment law practice for commercial clients.

Geoffrey K. Penney, Partner – Geoffrey’s primary practice areas include civil litigation, condominium law, construction law, property development, contract law and insurance law. Throughout his more than 25 years of experience, he has represented clients at all levels of court.

John Taylor-Hood, Counsel – With over two decades of experience, John maintains a diverse practice, with a special focus on civil litigation and municipal law. An experienced litigator, John has handled matters and claims including insurance defence, corporate commercial litigation, construction law, contract disputes and real property claims.

Nick Whalen, KC, Counsel – A former member of Parliament and past professional engineer, Nick’s areas of practice include information technology law, intellectual property law, commercial real estate law and corporate law. He has worked with organizations of all sizes and stages of growth, from nonprofits to national broadcasters and international energy companies.

“We are pleased to officially welcome the lawyers and staff at Benson Buffett to the Cox & Palmer family,” said George Cooper, KC, CEO of Cox & Palmer. “This merger marks a significant milestone for both firms, and our larger platform positions us to better serve clients in St. John’s and the rest of the region.”

The firm’s newest team members have relocated to Cox & Palmer’s Scotia Centre office, located at 235 Water St., Suite 1100 in St. John’s. The former Benson Buffett office at Atlantic Place, 215 Water St., Suite 900, will continue to accept deliveries until further notice.

View the notice here.

Posted: February 17, 2025