A law firm with deep, historical ties to the city is closing its doors.
After 45 years, Hope Heinrich's last day of business is Friday, leaving the partners in a somber mood, although the lawyers and staff will be working at new locations.
"Nobody wants to say too much," said lawyer David Jones. "Most of us, we've been here for more than 35 years. It's a sad day for us."
Jones declined to comment on what led to the decision to discontinue the business.
He did say clients have been notified and the firm's lawyers will continue practicing out of new locations. All the staff also have new jobs, Jones said.
Hope Heinrich was established in 1966 by Allan Hope and Jack Heinrich, both of whom are no longer at the firm.
Heinrich, who was a commercial and real estate lawyer, left to become an MLA for Prince George North from 1979 to 1989, when Social Credit formed the government, and held several cabinet positions, including education, forests, and municipal affairs.
It's not clear when Hope left but in January this year, he was appointed a part-time vice chair of the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Hope's qualifications for the job included acting an arbitrator and mediator in several hundred labour, environmental and commercial disputes over the length of his career.
Heinrich, now living in Kelowna, did not return requests for an interview and Hope could not be reached for comment.
Hope Heinrich is not the only Prince George law firm to have recently restructured.
In February, Dick Byl Law Corporation reduced the size of its practice to focus on personal injury, shedding family, criminal, and corporate and commercial law in the process.
