Oemichen Bridgewater LLP | Community and Cooperative Counsel | Canada | legal services | incorporation | board governance

Legal and governance consulting services for individuals, family business and the co-operative and social enterprise sectors, in Alberta, British Columbia, across Canada, and internationally.

ABOUT US

We bring together a team of independent legal counsel that has more than 45 years of combined experience working with local and national co-operatives including agricultural, housing, electric and telecommunications utilities, energy, healthcare, financial/credit union, grocery, insurance, and education.

Experience in civil litigation, corporate and commercial law, securities exemptions, employment law, wills and succession planning, real estate, municipal law, environmental law and regulation.

MEET THE TEAM

PRACTICE AREAS

START-UP/INCORPORATION

Our lawyers can guide you through the process of forming a co-operative, non-profit, charity, or business and ensure that all legal requirements are met to avoid needless difficulties and risks later on, as well as assisting with providing liability protection for the business owner and potential tax benefits.

RE-STRUCTURING

Established organizations often need to change with their circumstances or leadership. We provide legal advice on bankruptcy filings, debt restructuring, and drafting or revising corporate documents to align and streamline organizational change.

CIVIL LITIGATION

Our civil litigation practice is focused on protecting our clients rights and achieving the best possible outcome in court. We have experience in representing clients in a wide range of disputes, including breach of contract, employment, real estate, wrongful dismissals, and personal injuries.

CORPORATE LAW

Our corporate law practice encompasses a wide range of legal services, including formation and governance of business entities, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. We provide comprehensive legal support to our clients in every stage of their business.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

We provide effective conflict resolution services to help our clients resolve disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our attorneys have experience in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

BOARD GOVERNANCE

Board advising and training governance is crucial for the success of any organization. Our team of experts can provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to ensure that your board is effective and efficient in its decision-making processes. We help organizations adhere to the best practices and regulations, so they can mitigate risks and build trust with stakeholders.

SUCCESSION PLANNING

Family businesses are unique in their own way, and succession planning is crucial to ensure the smooth transition of ownership and management. We provide comprehensive guidance and support to help you navigate this complex process. From identifying potential successors to drafting legal documents, we are here to help you secure the future of your family business.

PRACTICE AREAS

ATTORNEYS

OUR TEAM

WILLIAM L. OEMICHEN

PARTNER

Senior Research Fellow within the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural & Life Sciences and University of Wisconsin School of Law.

Bill is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, and provides legal consulting services to the biggest cooperatives in Canada in association with the Community and Co-operative Counsel.

Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and he is currently working to earn his PhD in legal research from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He has been teaching cooperative and business law for decades, both in the USA and Canada.

He is an experienced business attorney, as well as a high-level parliamentarian, who has worked with companies locally and across the world.

ELLIOT H. BRIDGEWATER

PARTNER

Elliot is a member of the Alberta Law Society and Fellow with Sustainable Economies Law Centre in Oakland, California and has taught advocacy focused on Co-operatives at the University of Calgary. He has been providing independent legal services to co-operatives, social enterprise and community-minded businesses since 2017.

Member of ACCA collaborating with cooperative start-up formation, board governance, co-operative principles, and community investment. He is also Alternate Delegate for Canada to International Cooperative Alliance Americas (ICA).

Elliot was elected as a Director of Calgary Co-op in 2023. He has been contributing co-operative leadership and strengthening board governance in one of the largest retail co-operatives in Canada.

Melissa Soini

Executive Director

Goldeye Foundation Society

“Goldeye Foundation Society recently retained the legal services of Bridgewater Law (Elliot Bridgewater, Barrister and Solicitor) for document development.

Elliot is extremely knowledgeable and very professional.

His ability to understand client needs and provide recommendations and support were very much appreciated. We look forward to using Elliot Bridgewater’s services in the future.”