TORONTO and MONTREAL, November 15, 2005 – Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP was ranked first in Canada for tax expertise and Nathan Boidman is once again named as one of the most influential figures in the global tax world.

Davies was ranked first in Canada by the International Tax Review World Tax 2006: The comprehensive guide to the world's leading tax firms for its corporate tax expertise.

Four Davies lawyers are included in this publication for their expertise in specific sectors. They are:

• Nathan Boidman, M&A and cross-border structuring
• Guy Du Pont, Tax Controversy
• Stephen S. Ruby, Capital Markets and M&A and cross-border structuring
• David W. Smith, Q.C., Capital Markets and M&A and cross-border structuring

Futhermore, the 2005 issue of Tax Business 50 once again named Nathan Boidman, a partner and senior member of the tax group at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, as one of the top 50 key movers and shakers in an increasingly complex global tax market.

The article states that, "Having an important job, and even being good at it, is not enough to qualify someone for the 2005 Tax Business 50. The list recognizes those individuals whose influence exceeds the bounds of their job descriptions."

Mr. Boidman is the only Canadian practitioner to be included on the list and one of only two Canadians ranked. Mr. Boidman ''…straddles the US-Canada border with aplomb – he is arguably the leading lawyer for tax affairs concerning the two countries, and regularly advises the Canada Revenue Agency… '' according to Tax Business 50.

"Again this year, we are proud of the inclusion of one of our partners on the Tax Business 50 and this acknowledgment is consistent with the fact that Davies is recognized as the number one law firm in Canada for tax expertise," says Bill O'Reilly, managing partner in Davies' Toronto office. Pierre-André Themens, co-managing partner in Davies' Montréal office adds, "For a second year in a row, this is great recognition for our Montréal office, but we also have great depth and strength in our tax practices in both Toronto and New York. The three offices form one firm-wide tax group enabling us to manage complex and sophisticated cross-border and international transactions for our clients."

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, with over 225 lawyers, practises nationally and internationally from offices in Toronto, Montréal, New York and Paris and is consistently at the heart of the largest and most complex commercial and financial matters on behalf of its North American and overseas clients.

For further information on the Tax Business 50 2005 list, http://www.taxbusiness.co.uk/

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For further information: Gary Nurse, (416) 367-6902, gnurse@dwpv.com;

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements: Nicolas Rubbo (514) 841-6451, nrubbo@dwpv.com