With a view to expanding further in Alberta’s booming markets, Dentons has lured a former premier of the province, David Hancock, to its office in Edmonton.
Hancock, who joins Dentons as counsel, served as Alberta’s 15th premier from March 2014 through September 2014. From 1997 until his departure from government, Hancock was a member of the province’s legislative assembly, representing Edmonton-Whitemud. His roles during his tenure in government also include serving as Minister of Justice, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Health and Wellness, Minister of Human Services, and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.
In his new role, Hancock expects to work extensively with businesses and corporate boards in the flourishing province.
“I do have a cooling off period, so I’m not in a position to work directly with government until September. But it’s going to be very helpful to be able to offer the political skills of working with people, understanding objectives and longer-term goals, and helping businesses with strategy,” Hancock commented.
While serving in government, Hancock gained a perspective on the ways in which businesses react and adapt to market trends, whether benevolent or adverse. Hancock noted that over the years he was in government, the province experienced several down-cycles in the price of oil, a phenomenon that fueled angst in the business sector even as it fostered opportunity.
“There are no better innovators than people in a major industry that has to rethink how it does things at a time of difficult economics. In Alberta, one challenge has been to find venture capital for innovation, which can drive the economy in our traditional sectors – oil and gas, forestry and agriculture – and also in IT and biosciences/life sciences, where we currently have very strong foundations," Hancock said.
Hancock’s experience as a minister for aboriginal affairs may also prove quite useful. Hancock said that First Nations commercial and corporate law is an area in which he’d like to do more work.
“Having grown up in rural British Columbia and northern Alberta, living in the community gives me a good background. I started in government, in the aboriginal affairs portfolio, understanding some of the challenges and opportunities. Amongst our community there’s so much talent and ability and so much opportunity there, and to be able to work with people to unleash that potential for those skill sets to grow, that’s an exciting place where I can make contribution and a living,” he added.