Overview

One of the most rewarding things that partner John McDonnell finds in his practice of the law, is when he sees projects that he’s working on, taking shape in the real world. “To actually see it being done - that’s pretty cool,” says John, who provides corporate governance advice to municipal and other public sector bodies, and also assists private businesses and corporate clients with their various business and legal needs. And at the end of the day, nothing satisfies him more than completing the tasks he sets out to do.

In his municipal practice, John advises public sector clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial legal matters, including helping clients collaborate on partnerships for the regional provision of services.

He chose this particular practice area after he realized there was a growing need. “It’s an area I thought I could help grow, and assist people in this underserviced area,” he explains. John sees this as a major growth area in Alberta, where public sector bodies, primarily municipalities, must now provide regional services that they didn’t have to in the past. Mandatory collaboration between municipalities will increase substantially under Alberta’s Intermunicipal Collaborative Framework, which requires public sector bodies to address the sharing of services on an intermunicipal basis.

Advising municipalities and other public sector clients makes up a major part of John’s practice. “I have the most experience in setting up these regional entities. I know the ins and outs, and what works and what doesn’t, from past experience,” says John, who works with clients throughout Alberta as well as in Nunavut.

Practice Areas

• Aboriginal Law
• Real Estate
• Corporate & Commercial Law
• Municipal Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 2001 (AB); 2016 (NU)