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The partners of Counsel Public Affairs Inc. are delighted to announce a long-term succession plan that will gradually transition the leadership of the firm to partners Brad Lavigne and Sheamus Murphy.

The past year has been one of expansion unprecedented in Counsel’s 19-year history. Today, the firm boasts 30 consultants and associates across the country.

Successful businesses recognize the importance of being prudent – both in the need for long-term planning, and succession planning to ensure continued growth and long-term stability for their employees and clients.

With this in mind, the partners of Counsel Public Affairs Inc. are excited to announce a leadership transition plan that secures:

  • Long-term ownership stability for Counsel’s staff and clients;
  • A gradual, multi-year transition of the firm’s leadership to partners Brad Lavigne and Sheamus Murphy; and
  • A commitment to the ongoing active participation of Counsel’s founding and senior partners Philip Dewan, Caroline Pinto, Charles Harnick, and Bob Lopinski throughout the transition and beyond.

“Since launching Counsel in 2004, our firm has made a positive impact on government policy and public debate across the country – growing into one of Canada’s leading independent national firms,” said Phil Dewan, Counsel’s President. “Today’s announcement signals the start of a gradual transition of Counsel’s leadership to the next generation of partners – while ensuring that our clients and colleagues continue to benefit from the active involvement of the senior partners for years to come.”

“Sheamus and Brad have amply demonstrated their leadership by building Counsel’s industry-leading practice groups in Ottawa and Western Canada,” added Founding Partner Caroline Pinto. “As they take on greater responsibility for the management and direction of the firm, they will have our ongoing involvement, as well as the support of the incredible team we have built, with respected Vice-Presidents in all practice areas and a host of talent at every level in the firm.”

“I join Phil, Bob, and Charles in congratulating Sheamus and Brad on this milestone. We want to thank our team for their excellent work – and together, we look forward to continuing to deliver results for our growing client roster,” said Pinto.

Counsel Public Affairs provides a full suite of services in federal, provincial, and municipal government relations, Indigenous facilitation, and public relations.  These services include lobbying, crisis communications, strategic communications, media training, “PR4GR” campaigns, Indigenous engagement, and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) consulting.