Daren Baxter

Daren stands out as a distinguished Partner at McInnes Cooper, based in their Halifax, NS office, where he has honed a specialized practice in tax, estate planning, and corporate law. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of tax services tailored to the needs of corporations, trusts, non-profit organizations, and affluent individuals. Daren excels in devising strategic tax planning solutions for businesses and their proprietors, navigating the complexities of mergers and acquisitions, domestic and international tax structuring, corporate reorganizations, and resolving disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Earning the prestigious Queen’s Counsel (QC) designation in 2011, a title now referred to as King’s Counsel (KC), Daren has solidified his reputation in the legal community as a trusted advisor. His accreditation as a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner underscores his deep knowledge in trusts, estate planning, and the intricacies of business succession planning. Daren’s acumen in the taxation of corporations and their shareholders is matched by his innovative approach to implementing tax-efficient strategies.

Daren's excellence in tax law has been consistently recognized by his peers and the industry, earning him a place in Best Lawyers in Canada annually since 2009. His contributions to the field of trust law as an advisor to the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia, coupled with receiving the Best Lawyers Tax Law “Lawyer of the Year” award in Halifax for 2018 & 2022, highlight his significant impact. His expertise is also acknowledged in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, marking him as a leading figure in his domain.

An active member and seasoned speaker within the professional community, Daren frequently shares his knowledge with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Canadian Tax Foundation, and the Canadian Bar Association. His presentations at both national and local continuing education programs reflect his commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of taxation and estate planning among professionals.

Demonstrating leadership within his firm, Daren was elected to McInnes Cooper’s Board of Directors twice, serving from 2011 to 2017, where he contributed to the Pension Committee, Audit Committee, and the Governance & Management Compensation Committee. His leadership extended to the legal community at large during his tenure as the president of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in 2016-2017, following multiple elections to its Governing Council and executive roles in various pivotal committees.

Daren's influence reached the broader financial regulatory sector as the Vice-Chair of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission from 2004 to 2010. In this capacity, he played a vital role in the Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators, enhancing the coordination and harmonization of financial regulation across Canada.