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Ewan McKenzie gets new partner

Brent Desruisseaux has been an associate at Ewan McKenzie since 2015, now he is a partner.
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Brent Desruisseaux has been an associate at Ewan & McKenzie since 2015. With Glen Ewan retiring at the end of October, Desruisseaux became the new partner earlier this summer. Dallin Cervo/Star Photo

For over 50 years Ewan & McKenzie has been a law firm providing legal advice and legal expertise in both criminal and civil matters. Now with co-owner Glenn Ewan retiring at the end of October, Brent Desruisseaux is the new co-owner of the firm and is excited for the new opportunity.

After Graduating from the University of Alberta in 2014, Desruisseaux needed to complete an article, or apprenticeship, in order to get licensed. Desruisseaux articled under Ewan and became an associate a year later, after the article was completed. Now two years later, in the summer of 2017, Desruisseaux became a partner.

Now, not only is he still responsible for his clients, but he is also responsible for keeping the business running, and making sure employees get paid. Luckily for Desruisseaux, Bruce McKenzie is still there to help out.

“I’m really grateful to have a partner that’s as experienced as Bruce that can guide me through that,” Desruisseaux said.

Desruisseaux said he realizes the new responsibility he has in the new role and is ready for the challenges ahead.

“Well I have some pretty big shoes to fill, Glen was practicing in the community for close to 40 years. He’s a really knowledgeable and a respected guy so if I’m taking over his share of the business people will be expecting the same level of service from me, so I have some high standards to live up to,” he said.

As for the name of the firm, Desruisseaux said he plans on keeping it as Ewan & McKenzie for now, but may consider a change in the new year.

“Since my last name is so long and difficult to spell it’s definitely not going to be Desruisseaux and McKenzie,” he said. “So I think we’re going to keep it as Ewan & McKenzie for now since there is a significant amount of goodwill built up around the name but I might consider something new in the new year.”

Completing his undergrad at the University of Victoria, Desruisseaux graduated with a Bachelor of Art in Philosophy and wanting to do something with a real world application, decided to take the skills he learned and gained in the philosophy program and apply them to law school at the University of Alberta.

Desruisseaux decided to move to Golden because of the lifestyle.

“I thought it would be more fulfilling than working in a big downtown firm.”

As for what to expect when sitting down with Desruisseaux, “I generally give people a free initial consult, they can figure out what they want to accomplish, then we can discuss what it would mean for me to represent them, and they can decide whether I’m the right person for the job.”