SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Peterson Stang law firm will close in August after 66 years in Yellowknife when partner Gerald Stang joins Field Law in September.

Gerald Stang, an attorney with Peterson Stang, will join the law firm Field Law later this summer. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

Stang will leave a firm undergoing changes. Peterson Stang's Kathy Peterson will retire and Garth Malakoe has been appointed to the territorial court of the Northwest Territories.

Stang will join a team of three Yellowknife-based lawyers and 11 lawyers licensed to practise in the NWT based in the firm's two other offices in Calgary and Edmonton.

Field Law offers services to businesses and institutions in areas such as dispute resolution and labour and employment insurance. Their services also include real estate planning and transactions to individuals.

"It's getting harder and harder to recruit new lawyers to Yellowknife so it made more sense to combine resources with another law firm," said Stang, a corporate lawyer with 26 years experience.

"I think we're a bit sad to be closing our doors after being around for so long but it was time for a change."

The firm's last day will be August 31. Field Law will take over the Peterson Stang corporate department.

"We thought that what they have to offer fit well with what we had to offer," said Stang.

"They have offices down south for back up, which is getting more important because there are fewer and fewer lawyers in Yellowknife."

Field Law managing partner James Casey said both parties were interested in the move and thought it would be a good fit. The changes at Peterson Stang paved the way for arrangements to be made, he added.

"We're thrilled that he is joining us," he said.

"The Peterson Stang firm has a very long and proud history in the North. We think that his joining our firm, along with the staff, will solidify our position as one of the premier firms servicing the Northwest Territories."