Our History
Duncan, Linton LLP is the oldest independent law firm in Waterloo Region and is one of the oldest law firms in all of Ontario. Duncan, Linton LLP has provided legal and business solutions in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and throughout Southern Ontario for over 160 years.
Duncan, Linton LLP was established in 1860, as the law office of MacGachen & Colquhoun, when Ontario was still Canada West and the City of Waterloo was a small village. Over several decades, as the City of Waterloo grew from a village to a town to a city, the firm not only increased in size, but it developed the expertise required to service its clients’ needs.
Since our early beginnings, the firm’s partners, such as Frederick Colquhoun, A.B. McBride, and Walter McGibbon Q.C. have been leaders in Waterloo’s business, legal and political life. Our lawyers remain community leaders and serve our profession with distinction.
For over 160 years, and through several name changes, the firm’s focus has been to provide sound legal advice, supported by prompt, effective and responsive service to our clients. Duncan, Linton LLP truly has a history of excellence and a reputation for excellent legal services. The loyalty of our clients is the firm’s proudest asset.
Firm Names 1860 – Present
MacGachen & Colquhoun (1860 – 1876)
Bowlby, Colquhoun & Clement (1876 – 1879)
Frederick Colquhoun (1879 – 1889)
Colquhoun & McBride (1889 – 1897)
Arthur B. McBride (1897 – 1906)
McBride & Flintoft (1906 – 1909)
Arthur B. McBride (1909 – 1916)
McBride & MacKenzie (1916 – 1928)
McBride & McGibbon (1928 – 1952)
McGibbon & Harper (1952 – 1958)
McGibbon, Harper & Haney (1958 – 1977)
Harper, Haney, White, Hobson, Wood & Jenkins (1977 – 1979)
Harper, Haney & White (1979 – 1983)
Haney, White, Ostner, English & Linton (1983 – 1988)
Haney, White, Jenkins & Duncan (1988 – 1989)
White, Jenkins, Duncan & Ostner (1989 – 1997)
White, Duncan, Ostner & Linton LLP (1997 – 2004)
White, Duncan, Linton LLP (2004 – 2013)
Duncan, Linton LLP (2013 – Present)