Melanie Aitken, has rejoined the firm, Bennett Jones LLP (US), Washington DC
Bennett Jones LLP is pleased to announce that Melanie Aitken has rejoined the firm to open an office in Washington DC. Ms. Aiken will also co-chair the Bennett Jones Antitrust and Competition practice, advising foreign businesses and investors on Canadian law and connecting Canadian businesses with opportunities in the US, China, the Arabian Gulf and elsewhere. The Washington DC office will practise only Canadian law.
Melanie returns to the firm after seven years with the Canadian Competition Bureau in Ottawa, serving as the Competition Commissioner for the final three. In 2001, Melanie became Senior Counsel at the Department of Justice, Civil Litigation and then Senior Counsel at the Competition Law Division. In 2003 she joined Bennett Jones as a partner in the litigation group. In 2005 she moved back to the Competition Bureau, becoming Commissioner in 2009.
While serving as Commissioner, Melanie led many high-profile civil and criminal matters and worked extensively with leaders of international antitrust authorities around the world on enforcement and policy cases. She held leadership roles in key international organizations including the Steering Committee of the International Competition Network. During her tenure the Canadian Bureau became a more active enforcement agency.
In December, she was named as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women's Executive Network.
Bennett Jones is one of Canada's premier business law firms, and home to more than 375 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices – Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Beijing and Washington DC. The Bennett Jones Washington office will exclusively practise Canadian law with a focus on competition and antitrust matters, and issues confronting US and international businesses in Canada. www.bennettjones.com