Firm Profile

White, Duncan, Linton ^LLP, is the oldest law firm in Waterloo Region and one of the oldest firms in Ontario. In 1861, when Ontario was still Canada West and Waterloo was a small village, the law office of Frederick S. McGashaen was established. From that beginning, the firm grew to serve the needs of the community. Firm partners, such as A.B. McBride Q.C., Walter McGibbon Q.C. and William H. White Q.C., have been leaders in Waterloo’s business, legal and political life.

As Waterloo grew from village to town to city, the firm not only increased in size, but it developed the expertise required to serve its clients’ needs. The firm’s practice focuses on municipal and planning law and corporate/commercial litigation fields.

The firm’s modern offices have advanced computer and communications facilities, and its professional staff work with clients not only in Waterloo Region and south-western Ontario but throughout North America and Europe. Its lawyers remain community leaders and serve their profession with distinction. The loyalty of its clients is the firm’s proudest asset.

Throughout 145 years (and a number of name changes) the firm’s focus has remained on providing sound legal advice supported by prompt, effective and responsive service to our clients.

Firm Names 1861 - Present   FREDERICK S. McGACHEN 1861 - 1866 McGACHEN & COLQUHOUN 1866 - 1876 BOWLBY, COLQUHOUN & CLEMENT 1876 - 1879 FREDERICK COLQUHOUN 1879 - 1893 COLQUHOUN & McBRIDE 1893 - 1896 ARTHUR B. McBRIDE 1896 - 1901 McBRIDE & FLINTOFT 1901 - 1909 ARTHUR B. McBRIDE 1909 - 1915 McBRIDE & McKENZIE 1915 - 1928 McBRIDE & McGIBBON 1928 - 1952 McGIBBON & HARPER 1952 - 1958 McGIBBON, HARPER & HANEY 1958 - 1977 HARPER, HANEY, WHITE, HOBSON, WOOD & JENKINS 1977 - 1979 HARPER, HANEY & WHITE 1979 - 1983 HANEY, WHITE, OSTNER, ENGLISH & LINTON 1983 - 1988 HANEY, WHITE, JENKINS & DUNCAN 1988 - 1989 WHITE, JENKINS, DUNCAN & OSTNER 1989 - 1997 WHITE, DUNCAN, OSTNER & LINTON 1997 - 2004 WHITE, DUNCAN, LINTON 2004 - Present