Founded in 2010 by Arun Shourie and Nitin Bhatia, SB LLP (formerly Shourie Bhatia LLP Barristers & Solicitors) has been growing while making a difference for businesses, individuals and families in Edmonton.
SB LLP offers law services in the following areas: commercial & corporate, family, civil litigation, personal injury, wills & estates and real estate law.
“When we started, we were the only two lawyers. Now we have more than 25 and six partners,” says Shourie. He credits the rapid and consistent growth of the firm and its ability to attract talent to, “Good old fashioned hard work. Just keep working. That may sound old school, but there is no other way – no shortcuts.”
The diversity of the firm on all fronts helps drive its success and access to clients at every age and stage.
“We have partners who are old school like myself, where there is perhaps a different approach to the order of things, and then we have partners who are very young and blunt about what they see for our future. Their ideas of looking at things are different. That is a very interesting dynamic, but a healthy and helpful one for us to think about as a group of partners,” says Shourie.
As co-founder, Bhatia considers the role SB LLP has played so far in the business and community landscape in Edmonton, and he realizes that, “Our firm stands out because we are led by a diverse partnership group, bringing fresh perspectives to the legal landscape. By prioritizing underserved communities and offering innovative, business-focused solutions, we’ve redefined what professional service means outside the traditional downtown model.”
From the very beginning, the firm set itself apart by identifying gaps in the Edmonton community, particularly in areas that felt underserved by traditional law firms. This realization became the foundation of a practice designed not only to meet those needs but to exceed them, offering unparalleled service to a broad and diverse clientele.
The partnership group is remarkably diverse, proudly inclusive of ethnic minorities to the extent that the majority of the team in the partnership are visible minorities. This diversity brings a fresh lens to the practice of law in the province and empowers the firm to connect with and serve a wide range of communities effectively.
Shourie says, “When COVID happened, a lot of bigger firms managed costs by releasing their senior staff. We considered that level of experience and expertise to be invaluable and we retained ours while also making offers to those that had become available. After those other firms tried to re-shore up their staff and regain their previous members, our team unit stayed together because of our corporate culture and working environment. The fact that we have grown to more than 25 lawyers and over 40 support staff in such a short space of time really speaks to how the firm is run and how it is flexible and adaptable.”
There is a strong “client first” focus.
“This is a very difficult industry to be in,” he says, “and the reason for this is that we do not sell something tangible. We sell something that sometimes people feel that they don’t need, or it is an added and unnecessary expense. However, it is our job to look at the businesses and their affairs from the outside in and objectively note issues they may not see.”
Shourie provides an example, “Two people, best friends, go into business together by opening a machine shop. They have known each other for 30 years. Their wives are friends and their kids have grown up together. They don’t think they can disagree so they don’t see the need to paper their arrangement – but at some point and time, they will disagree.”
Properly structuring the company from day one with professional, legal guidance provides solutions for when those inevitable questions and challenges come up in business or estates.
“Many people don’t realize how fast disagreements can turn into legal battles,” Shourie adds. “I have practiced law internationally and I see that Edmonton has a very singular mindset. We’re not like Calgary or some of the big international cities. We’re a lot more focused on regional based businesses such as manufacturing, and that brings a whole other way of doing business to the forefront.”
For Bhatia, helping local businesses get started with all of the right components in place is a source of joy.
“I have several clients that basically started their business journeys with me, right from concept to completion. Being involved from a legal perspective and providing the assistance of networking – thanks to our growing connections in Alberta – has helped us connect our clients and service providers and led to synergies. Seeing it all come together is the result of years of developing our own relationships and the mutual trust that was formed between us. Being able to be involved in assisting the community at large and seeing its growth from the ground floor of a lot of emerging businesses – it’s exciting to be a part of all that.”
From the start, the firm adopted a bold mindset—one that broke away from the traditional mold. Their approach disrupted longstanding norms, presenting a business-focused and energetic perspective that appealed to clients looking for innovative solutions. For many of these institutions, partnering with this relatively young firm marked a significant departure from their long-standing relationships with law firms rooted in decades—or even centuries—of tradition. By bridging the gap between innovation and tradition, SB LLP carved out a niche that resonated with clients looking for something different.
“I think that is what drives us,” says Shourie. “Our mindset has actually benefited the firm in a very positive way, and we now have clients who have been with us for many years. I see the next generation of our clients now coming in and working with us.
“Now I shift my mannerisms and my ways of doing things to work productively with the second generation because they operate differently; their expectations of my service compared to what their fathers and mothers were doing is different. While the father and mother can hand over the business to their child and the child can run it, I’m sure that generation is dealing with internal shifts as well. I must now move towards the second generation of business owners who have come to us.”
As Shourie thinks back over the past 15 years, he says with pride, “My greatest reward is seeing the firm grow and thrive—watching team members who once started as assistants go on to become partners. It’s a testament to our belief in prioritizing the organization and fostering equal contributions from everyone. Some of our current partners began their journey not as articling students but as assistants or summer students. Encouraged and supported, these individuals pursued their law degrees, grew within the organization, and eventually took on leadership roles. We have always believed in the fact that though we are partners in the firm and we own the firm, the organization comes first. We are all contributing equally in different segments.”
Through its steadfast commitment to growth, equality and collective success, this firm has demonstrated what it means to lead with vision and purpose. Their unique philosophy of prioritizing the organization above all, while honouring equal contributions from every team member, has not only fueled their achievements but also created a culture of empowerment and opportunity. By redefining success as a shared endeavor and focusing on helping estates and businesses achieve their own goals, SB LLP will continue to be the firm of choice for many, now and far in the future.
#209, 2920 Calgary Trail
Edmonton, AB T6J 2G8
Phone: 780.438.5281• Fax: 780.438.5296
sb-llp.com
