A regular fixture in major multi-jurisdictional deals involving Canada, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP stands out for its reputation for transformative corporate transactions involving the energy and natural resources, financial services TMT and life sciences sectors, among others. The group’s thriving cross-border activity is supported by well-staffed platforms in London and New York, while its focus on Canadian law work ensures that it also enjoys close referral relationships with international firms. Names to note in London include Jennifer Maxwell, who is well versed across a range of M&A, private equity and corporate finance matters; and go-to M&A specialist Jeffrey Lloyd, who manages the London office. Following the recent elevation of former New York managing partner Geoffrey Belsher to firm chair, corporate and securities partner Kevin Rusli now anchors the US office.
International expertise in Canada
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Geoffrey Belsher
Autres avocats clés:
Jeffrey Lloyd; Jennifer Maxwell; Kevin Rusli; Michael Kariya
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Pembina Pipeline Corporation on its C$11.4bn joint venture with KKR & Co to merge their western Canadian natural gas processing assets.
- Advised Turquoise Hill Resources, owner of the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine in Mongolia, on its C$4.3bn going private acquisition by its controlling shareholder Rio Tinto.
- Advised Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec on their acquisition of a 65% interest stake in Bonduelle Americas Long Life, with an enterprise value of C$850m.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Alongside its extensive record in advising multinationals on the Canadian aspects of cross-border deals, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is also a popular choice to advise domestic clients on outbound work. Unlike many of its peers, the firm fields locally qualified lawyers in its New York office, which provides further cross-border firepower in multi-jurisdictional transactions. In Toronto, transactional mining specialist Melanie Shishler and corporate and securities expert Vincent Mercier are highly regarded for their frequent involvement in high-profile international mandates. In New York, Jeffrey Nadler, who is qualified in Israel, New York and Ontario, is a key contact for corporate and capital markets transactions. The firm is led globally by Sarbjit Basra, Philippe Johnson and Peter Glicklich — managing partners of the Toronto, Montreal and New York offices respectively.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sarbjit Basra; Philippe Johnson; Peter Glicklich
Autres avocats clés:
Jeffrey Nadler; Melanie Shishler; Vincent Mercier
Principaux clients
Alstom
Barrick Gold Corporation
The Blackstone Group
Cadillac Fairview
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Interfor Corporation
Rogers Communications
The Pallinghurst Group
Wattpad Corp
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Barrick Gold Corporation on its agreement with the governments of Pakistan and Balochistan to reconstitute the Reko Diq Project in the country’s Balochistan province, which hosts one of the world’s largest undeveloped open pit copper-gold porphyry deposits.
- Acted for The Aldo Group on its successful global restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
- Acted as lead transaction and tax counsel to Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings on its sale to New York-based private investment house, SK Capital Partners.
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault is distinguished by its presence in multi-jurisdictional mining transactions, where it can leverage a significant London platform to support on major mining M&A and corporate-finance deals. Its premier Canadian offerings in financial services, power, real estate and tech are also key drivers of international work. Mining and M&A co-head Shea Small is based between London and Toronto and has a hand in many of the firm’s largest cross-border mandates; such as his recent work acting as Canadian counsel to Australia-headquartered Newcrest on its $19bn acquisition by Newmont Corporation. The London office also includes regional managing partner Robert Brant, who specializes in international M&A, equity capital markets and projects; and projects specialist Christopher Langdon, who splits his practice between London and Toronto. Matthew Cumming manages the New York office, where he focuses on M&A and Securities.
Responsables de la pratique:
Shea Small; Karl Tabbakh
Principaux clients
Blackstone
Brookfield Asset Management
Cameco Corporation
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Compañía Minera María Reyna
Glencore International
IAMGold
JCHX Mining Management
Merck & Co
Mubadala Investment Company
Newcrest Mining
Newmont Corporation
OMERS
Rio Tinto
Sagard Holdings
SoftBank Group
Stellantis
Wyloo Metals
Zijin Mining Group Co
Torys
A key part of Torys‘ international work is underpinned by its longstanding relationships with major institutional investors, including private equity funds, pension funds and other financial services clients. Additionally, its dominant energy, projects and life sciences practices also translate into a significant volume of cross-border mandates. The firm maintains a sizeable New York platform, which has been led by corporate and securities partner David Chaikof since 2019. Other key names in New York include PPP specialist Tara Mackay and Jared Fontaine, whose practice has an emphasis on institutional investing for clients such as pension and sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds and global corporations. In Toronto, M&A specialists John Emanoilidis, Michael Amm and former New York office managing partner Karrin Powys-Lybbe are noted for their experience in high-profile, cross-border transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
John Emanoilidis; Michael Amm; Karrin Powys-Lybbe; Krista Hill; Jared Fontaine; Mile Kurta; Don Bell
Autres avocats clés:
David Chaikof; Tara Mackay
Principaux clients
Brookfield Group of Companies
Fairfax Financial Holdings
Olympus Corporation
BNP Paribas Paris
Link Administration Holdings
Teck Metals Corp
HRL Morrison & Co (US)
The Bank of Nova Scotia
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
Stellex Capital Management
Ahlstrom Capital
Barry Fishman, Field Trip Health, Helen Boudreau
Clairvest Group
OMERS
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Brookfield Asset Management on its proposed division into two publicly traded companies, including cross-listings on both the TSX and NYSE.
- Advised Fairfax Financial (as part of a consortium including Ocean Network Express, certain affiliates of the Washington Family, and David Sokol) on the $10.9bn acquisition of all outstanding shares of Atlas Corp.
- Advised BNP Paribas, as Canadian counsel, on its $16.3bn sale of Bank of the West and its subsidiaries to BMO Harris Bank.
Bennett Jones LLP
Among Bennett Jones LLP’s international strong suits, the firm is arguably best known for its signature oil and gas expertise and its broad regulatory offering. In terms of its capability in the latter sphere, it is particularly well placed to handle multi-jurisdictional competition issues, and trade and investment matters, where it can utilize its prominent domestic groups as well as its Washington DC-based team. Notably, former Competition Commissioner Melanie Aitken sits in DC and is sought after for her competition and foreign investment expertise. The group also maintains a New York office, which is steered by corporate and securities partner Gordon Cameron.
Responsables de la pratique:
Dominique Hussey; Pat Maguire; Radha Curpen; Gordon Cameron; Melanie Aitken; Barbara Stratton
Principaux clients
American Airlines
Apollo Global Management
ATCO Group
Avenue Capital Group
BMO Financial Group
Brookfield Properties Corp
Coca-Cola
Ferrero
Goldman Sachs
Government of Canada
Guccio Gucci
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Rio Tinto Alcan
Steve Madden Canada
Time Warner
Volkswagen, Volkswagen Group of America, Volkswagen Group Canada, Audi, Audi Canada
Walton Group of Companies
Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada and Wells|Fargo Bank
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Fasken
Widely admired for the breadth of its mining expertise, Fasken’s dedication to the industry is evidenced by its decision to maintain international platforms in the key mining markets of Johannesburg and London. Al Gourley heads up the London office and is a go-to name for mining transactions, including M&A, capital markets, joints ventures, and royalty and streaming matters, among others. Additional key contacts in London include Thomas Wexler, who specializes in mining and infrastructure projects; natural resources partner Jodi Katz; and energy-focused Abayomi Akinjide. Blaize Vance spearheads the Johannesburg office and is recommended for energy, infrastructure and mining projects.
Responsables de la pratique:
Al Gourley; Blaize Vance
Autres avocats clés:
Thomas Wexler; Jodi Katz; Abayomi Akinjide
Principaux clients
First Quantum Minerals
BaseCore Metals
Mkango Resources
ShaMaran Petroleum Corp
Elemental Royalties Corp
The Bank of Nova Scotia
Nomad Royalty Company
Ecora Resources (formerly Anglo Pacific Group)
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for First Quantum Minerals on its upsized offering of $1.3bn of senior notes.
- Advised BaseCore Metals on the $525m sale of a high-quality portfolio, including nine royalties and one stream, to Sandstorm.
- Advised Mkango Resources on a £3.5m investment in the company by CoTec Holdings Corp.