History

When a track record of success matters.
Fillmore Riley has provided clear, strategic business solutions to blue-chip companies and leaders in Manitoba since 1883. 
  • Today
    Today, Fillmore Riley is a highly regarded and accomplished full-service regional law firm. Our lawyers are routinely entrusted to work on some of the most complex and sophisticated transactions and litigation involving Canada’s most prominent companies, institutions and individuals. Never compromising our ethics to get ahead, we always do right by our clients, our firm and our community. Under the steady leadership of our firm’s Executive Committee, we look forward to guiding businesses to achieve their objectives in Canada and beyond.
  • 2023

    Jody Langhan, Sofia Mirza and Stuart Blake are appointed King's Counsel by the Manitoba Government.

    Alumnus the Honourable Justice David Kroft is appointed to the Manitoba Court of Appeal.

  • Jody Langhan, Sofia Mirza and Stuart Blake, King's Counsel lawyers at Fillmore Riley LLP
  • 2020

    Bernice Bowley, the chair of Fillmore Riley’s litigation practice, is admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

    Managing Partner Glen Peters champions a strategic-planning process to strengthen firm leadership with the goal of achieving organizational excellence. Jody Langhan takes the helm as Executive Chair and Michele McClymont joins the firm in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer.

    William Parker Fillmore, retired partner of Fillmore Riley son of C.W. Fillmore and grandson of W.P. Fillmore, passes. Known for his wit and his magnetic personality, “Parker” believed providing value to his clients was the best way to honour his father’s and grandfather’s legacy. Generous with his time and expertise, he served on the boards of philanthropic organizations such as the Winnipeg Industrial Skills Training Centre Inc., Main Street Project and TAMARACK Recovery Centre.

  • 2019

    Anita Southall, a longtime Fillmore Riley partner and a respected wills and estates lawyer, is elected 99th president of The Law Society of Manitoba. 

  • Anita Southall, retired partner of Fillmore Riley LLP
  • 2016

    October 20: Justice David J. Kroft, a longtime Fillmore Riley partner, is appointed a judge of Her Majesty’s Court of Queen’s Bench in Winnipeg. 

  • David J. Kroft, Honourable Justice of the Manitoba Court of Appeal and former Fillmore Riley LLP Partner
  • 2014

    September 19: His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, officially opens the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the world's only museum solely devoted to the exploration and celebration of human rights. 

    September 1: Sofia Mirza, an immigration lawyer and partner at Fillmore Riley, takes office as President of the Manitoba Bar Association. She is the first visibly ethnic woman to hold the position. 

  • Canadian Museum of Human Rights with Winnipeg sign illuminated at night
  • 2012

    Cy Fien, a senior tax partner of Fillmore Riley, is awarded Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the Canadian Tax Foundation.

  • 2008

    Debby the Polar Bear, longtime resident of Assiniboine Park Zoo, dies at the age of 42. At age 41, she was recognized in the 2008 Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living polar bear. 

    Photo credit: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Debby the polar bear at Assiniboine Park Zoo
  • 2005

    November 2: Glen Peters becomes Managing Partner after Jim Carlson was at the helm for more than 20 years. 

    June 30: Ross Yarnell retires after practising at the firm for 53 years. 


     

  • 2003

    Randolph B. McNicol, QC, retires. During his career at Fillmore Riley (1973-2003), Randy litigated in virtually every area of the law. He was involved in many significant and high-profile cases, including several public inquiries (Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (1988), Lavoie Inquiry (1995), Inquiry Into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia (1995), Thomas Sophonow Inquiry (2000) and many others. 

  • 1999

    Fillmore Riley becomes one of the first law firms in North America to earn IS0 9001 Certification. 

  • 1998

    December 31: Justice Minister Vic Toews announces longtime Fillmore Riley partner K. Eleanor Wiebe is appointed as Queen’s Counsel, an acknowledgement of her many contributions to the legal profession and the wider community.

  • 1997

    Winnipeg gets snowed in with the worst recorded blizzard in this century. Total accumulated snowfall: 48 cm (Friday to Tuesday). Previous record: 1966 - 38.1 cm snowfall. Duration of storm: 24 hours, Average wind speed: 60 km/h, gusting as high as 85 km/h.  

    Photo credit: Joe Bryksa/Winnipeg Free Press

  • A man shovels out his car during the Winnipeg snowstorm of 1997
  • 1997

    The firm becomes Fillmore Riley LLP. 

  • 1981

    The firm moves to present location at 360 Main Street and occupies the 16th and 17th floors. It’s a longstanding tradition for the large law firms in Winnipeg to have offices on the corner of Portage and Main. 

  • 1971

    The firm becomes Fillmore & Riley and moves to Richardson Building on northeast corner of Portage and Main. W.P. Fillmore retires the following year.

  • 1961

    The firm becomes Fillmore, Riley, Hunt, McLachlan, Norton, Philp & Yarnell. 

    Back row L to R: Alan Philp, Ross Yarnell, Jim McLachlan, Winston Norton and John Hunt. Front row: W.P. Fillmore, Harold Riley

  • Partners in 1961 when the firm was called Fillmore, Riley, Hunt, McLachlan, Norton, Philp & Yarnell
  • 1957

    June 9 Charles William Fillmore, the son of W.P. Fillmore, dies of leukemia at 46. “Charlie” followed in his father’s footsteps and practised law at the firm. A resident of St. James, he established the St. James branch of the Y.M.C.A. and took on other leadership roles in his community. 

  • 1939

    May 24: His Majesty King George VI and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth come to Winnipeg as a part of their Royal Tour of Canada. 

    Photo Credit: Winnipeg Free Press

  • Royal visit to Winnipeg in 1939
  • 1930

    June 15 - Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Manitoba's formation as a Province and inclusion in Dominion of Canada.

  • 1920

    Firm becomes Richards, Sweatman, Fillmore & Riley.

  • 1919

    May 15–June 26: The Winnipeg General Strike. The Strike is the largest in Canadian history and results in arrests and bloodshed, but it also contributes to the recognition of unions and collective bargaining in Canada.

    Photo credit: William Wilson fonds/Archives of Manitoba

  • Winnipeg General Strike of 1919
  • 1919

    H.J. Riley returns to Winnipeg as a Lieutenant-Colonel in command of the regiment. His military career extends to the Second World War, after which he retired as a Major-General.

  • 1918

    H.J. Riley serves in France as Lieutenant-Colonel and Battalion Commander with the 27th City of Winnipeg Battalion.  He is in the centre row (position number seven). 

    Photo credit: 27th ( City of Winnipeg) Battalion, Officers,1918. Royal Winnipeg Rifles Museum & Archives 

     

  • Harold Riley's military battalion
  • 1910

    Harold J. Riley joins the firm as a student. 

  • 1907

    W.P. Fillmore is admitted to the Manitoba Bar in November at a salary of $75 per month.

  • 1904

    William Parker Fillmore joins Bradshaw, Richards & Affleck as a student. The firm’s located at 395 Main Street, also known as the Bank of Hamilton Building. 

  • Fillmore Riley's previous office in the Hamilton Building in Winnipeg
  • 1883

    Firm is founded under the name Richards & Coutlee.