This replaces an earlier version of the story published Nov. 12, 2012 based on public accounts information published by the federal government. The government data contained erroneous data about the amount of money spent with local firms. The correct information is below.
Spiteri & Ursulak LLP was the biggest beneficiary. It received $1.35 million, up from just under $700,000 the year before.
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Ottawa’s largest law firm by number of lawyers, was second-highest on the list with $917,293. Lang Michener LLP rounded out the top three with $553,766.
Local firms received less money from the federal government even though overall spending on legal fees increased.
Legal expenses grew by approximately seven per cent in 2012, jumping to $500.85 million from $468.89 million the year before. The share of that local firms received was a little over $5 million, down from roughly $9 million in 2011.
The federal public accounts records published online do not specify the names of firms that received less than $100,000 for service payments.
Federal legal bills: By the numbers...
2011 total: $468,893,818
2012 total: $500,853,100
Difference: 6.8%
Local federal spending on legal services in 2011: $8,687,418
Local federal spending on legal services in 2012: $5,374,762
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