Chris Kvas and Peter Everitt have joined Ridout & Maybee as partners in the IP and technology firm's Mississauga, Canada office.

The two quit their own partnership – Kvas Miller Everitt – highlighting the trend of independent firms getting hitched to bigger rivals. The hires take the number of partners and associates at Ridout & Maybee to 40.

Marcus Gallie, a partner of Ridout & Maybee, said Kvas and Everitt bring the headcount in the firm's Toronto suburbs office to four. They will work alongside a patent prosecution partner and an associate.

Both lawyers are registered patent and trade-mark agents. Kvas is a patent and trade mark litigator and acted in a dispute between Whirlpool Corporation and General Electric. The case reached the Supreme Court of Canada and changed the way in which patents are construed in the country.

Everitt specializes in prosecuting patent and industrial design applications but has also advised clients on patent litigation, licensing and due diligence investigations for corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Gallie also told MIP that Kvas and Everett have provided the firm with oil clients in western Canada, also a first for Ridout & Maybee.

Nancy Miller, the third name partner of Kvas Miller Everitt, has launched her own practice, Miller/Law. She could not be reached for comment before press time.