Robert Engbloom quoted in the Globe and Mail - Say goodbye to 'us' and 'them'
Globe and Mail
July 30, 2008
Robert Engbloom was noted as one of Calgary's most respected senior corporate lawyers when he was interviewed for an article by the Globe and Mail. The article discussed the obstacles faced by outside firms, particularly Toronto based firms, when initially trying to crack the Calgary market years ago. What was once a market that differentiated the "us" (Calgary) from "them" (Toronto) has now evolved into, can you do the job. Robert Engbloom notes, you've also got to have the right local relationships.
"Whether you are a Calgary law firm or a Toronto law firm with a Calgary office, you have to have local relationships," he says. "Most clients will be looking at you for your own capability, your services and your relationships."
"The line [between "us" and "them"] has blurred as Toronto firms have acquired Calgary firms, Calgary lawyers and Calgary relationships," Mr. Engbloom sums up.
As this line has dissolved, the article further suggests, so has the defensiveness of the Calgary legal community in relation to Bay Street and its more established institutions. Today, Calgary is bursting with self-confidence and with that, gone are the days of measuring against the "mythical Bay Street Benchmark."