About Caravel
Our History
Since 2005, Caravel Law (originally founded as Cognition LLP) has been reshaping how legal services are delivered in Canada. From day one, founders Jackie Dinsmore, Rubsun Ho and Joe Milstone set out to challenge the traditional law firm model by asking a simple question: what if a law firm operated more like a startup: lean, flexible, tech-enabled, and built around business needs?
our why
Their vision led to fundamental shifts in how legal work could be done:
- Deliver business-minded advice, not just legal opinions.
- Empower lawyers to choose the work they want to do and the clients they want to support.
- Separate business development from legal delivery so lawyers can focus on exceptional client service.
This model quickly struck a chord. Demand surged, both from clients seeking practical, cost-effective support and from lawyers eager for a modern way to practice. For every lawyer hired, dozens applied.
Today, Caravel Law remains a national leader in legal innovation, staying true to the principles that shaped its inception nearly 20 years ago. We continue to invest in technology, client experience, and flexible legal solutions that help businesses scale on their terms.
Caravel was among the first law firms in Canada to introduce Client Happiness and Legal Innovation leaders and the first to implement Net Promoter Score feedback after every matter, initiatives that reflect the firm’s deep commitment to service excellence.
Caravel’s forward-thinking model has fueled consistent growth, national expansion, and client satisfaction scores far above industry benchmarks.
What began as a bold idea has become a leading example of how modern legal services can, and should, work for both clients and lawyers.
The Caravel Timeline
2005 — Cognition LLP Is Founded
Two Bay Street lawyers set out to reimagine how legal services could be delivered. Cognition launches with a simple idea: great lawyers should be able to work differently, and businesses should be able to access legal expertise on their terms.
2012 — Building the Leadership Team
Jackie Dinsmore joins the firm as an Owner and Chief Development Officer.
2013 — Moving West
The Firm expands into Calgary.
2015 — Cognition Rebrands as Caravel Law
A Caravel is a nimble and agile boat, skilled in navigating smaller waters. The Caravel reflected our mission, supporting big expeditions with a lean model that could work through the tightest of gaps.
2020 — BC Expansion
Caravel continues its national reach, establishing its presence in BC.
2022 — Canada’s Top Growing Companies
Caravel was named, for the first time, in the Report on Business’s Top Growing Companies list. Caravel maintained a spot on the list for several consecutive years.
2023 — A National, Full-Service Firm
Caravel surpasses 100 lawyers and continues expanding practice areas and building their hubs in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. This growth was accompanied by industry recognitions, including several nominations at the Canadian Law awards and Caravel’s Managing Partner, Jackie Dinsmore, being named one of Canada’s Top Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.
2024 — Jackie Dinsmore Recognized as Trailblazer of the Year
In 2024 Managing Partner Jackie Dinsmore was recognized as the Female Trailblazer of the year at the Canadian Law Awards.
2025 — Caravel Celebrates 20 Years!
We were thrilled to celebrate a huge milestone with the clients, lawyers and team members who have carried us through 20 years of legal ingenuity. In an industry rooted in tradition, 20 years of successfully innovating in law brings us one step closer to rewriting what tradition can look like.