Our story
Founded by John P. Nelligan and Denis Power, our firm first began as Nelligan Power. John Nelligan, widely regarded as “Ottawa’s Perry Mason” for his skill in the courtroom, was a master advocate known for his humility, strategic thinking, and exceptional negotiation skills. His career spanned decades of high-profile cases, leadership roles in the legal community, and numerous honours, including the Law Society Medal and The Advocates’ Society Medal. Denis Power, an accomplished litigator with specialities in civil, labour, and education law, was equally respected for his dedication to the profession and his leadership in legal organizations. Denis joined John as an articling student in 1963, and in 1969, the two formed their partnership.
Since that founding, we have grown into one of Ottawa’s largest locally based law firms, with over 55 lawyers and 50 administrative professionals. Our broad expertise across multiple practice areas allows us to guide clients through some of life’s most pivotal moments with skill, care, and dedication. Learn more about the services we offer.
A different kind of law firm
At Nelligan Law, we’re e real people who happen to be lawyers – approachable, empathetic, and dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our clients’ lives. We know that no one plans to need a lawyer, but when life takes a difficult turn, you deserve someone who not only knows the law, but listens, understands, and helps carry the weight of the situation.
We’ve also modernized how a law firm is run. Instead of being managed solely by partners, we have a CEO and a management board who guide our strategic direction and keep the client experience at the centre of everything we do. This forward-thinking structure allows our lawyers to focus on what they do best – practising law – while our leadership team oversees operations, innovation, and growth.
The result? A law firm that’s agile, client-focused, and ready to meet the needs of today’s world without losing the human connection that has been our hallmark since day one.
Our values and vision
At Nelligan Law, our work is guided by a shared commitment to our core values:
Trust – We act with integrity and transparency in all our interactions, building trust with clients, colleagues, and partners.
Empathy – We listen, understand, and work together to find solutions that meet our clients’ needs.
Accountability – We hold ourselves to the highest standards of legal practice, taking ownership of our work and results.
Mutual Respect – We value every individual’s perspective and contributions, treating everyone with fairness and dignity.
These values drive our vision:
Fierce in our effort. We are unwavering in our dedication to your success, grounded in empathy, accountability, and respect.
Proven in our results. Our strategies are informed, our solutions are tailored, and our results speak for themselves.
Human in our approach. We combine legal expertise with understanding and transparency to guide you through the complexities of the law.
It’s this combination of values, proven skill, and a human touch that defines who we are – and how we work for you.