Legal 500: Matthew Campbell — GC Powerlist Canada 2020
In this profile, Matthew Campbell of BGO outlines his central role in steering a transformative merger between Bentall Kennedy and GreenOak—an initiative that lifted the firm from a North American real-estate manager to a truly global player, spanning Europe, India and Japan. He highlights how his legal team negotiated the complex governance and compliance frameworks required—while preserving entrepreneurial flexibility within the newly merged entity.
Campbell emphasizes cultivating a culture of what he calls “entrepreneurial compliance”: clear articulation of values, observable behaviors and a laser-focus on pragmatic, business-aligned legal advice. He offers aspirant in-house counsel three core tenets: listen to the business, communicate clearly and never compromise on ethics—anchoring legal practice firmly to commercial results.
