Canada > International expertise > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, which stands among the most outward looking of the domestic Canadian firms, has offices in New York, London, Beijing and Bahrain. In New York, British Columbia-qualified office managing partner Geoffrey Belsher is a key asset in cross-border deals. In addition, Ontario-qualified Michael Gans, who splits his time between Toronto and New York, is also admitted as a legal consultant in New York. In London, mining expert David Glennie is a sought-after name, and Robert Kwauk is the key contact in Beijing.

Stikeman Elliott LLP, which was notably the first Canadian firm to open in London, has an impressive pedigree for international work. In addition to its long-established UK office, the firm is also on the ground in New York and Sydney, and it also has strong experience in Latin American and African markets. London managing partner Dean Koumanakos, who advises foreign and domestic clients on M&A and private equity, is highly regarded in the international market. Key Canada-based names include global mining co-head and Australia expert Quentin Markin, who recently returned to Vancouver following a five-year stint in Sydney, and Christopher Nixon, who heads the China group from Calgary.

One of the more diverse international practices, Bennett Jones LLP utilizes its offices in Beijing, Doha and Washington DC to provide robust cross-border expertise in competition, international trade, oil and gas, mining and infrastructure. Global competition and foreign investment co-chair Melanie Aitken, who manages the DC office, is a prominent name in her field. US- and Canada-qualified arbitration specialist George Vlavianos, who manages the Doha office, is also highly regarded and regularly acts for clients based in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

FASKEN’s mining prowess is supported by offices in several of the world’s key mining jurisdictions, namely London, Johannesburg and Beijing, which ensures it exerts considerable influence on the global mining front. In addition, the firm’s wider projects practice also has a strong international outlook. Based in Toronto, projects specialist Tanneke Heersche is highly regarded for her expertise in African markets. Toronto’s Brian Kelsall, who is admitted in Canada and the UK, is routinely engaged on infrastructure development and PPPs in the US and emerging markets.

McCarthy Tétrault, which has international offices in London and New York, is best known for its global experience in the mining, energy infrastructure and technology sectors. UK- and Ontario-qualified London managing partner Robert Brant is recommended for international M&A and securities offerings. Other senior names include global mining co-head Shea Small, who splits his time between Toronto and London, and US markets lead David Tennant, who is based between Toronto and New York. Up-and-coming partner Christopher Langdon, who divides his time between London and Toronto, jointly heads the projects group and has recently advised on deals in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the US.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP has a premier cross-border corporate practice, which leverages its well-staffed New York platform to shine in North American M&A and tax matters. It is also routinely involved in deals in Latin America, the UK and Asia. New York-based corporate finance specialist Jeffrey Nadler — who is admitted in Canada, the US and Israel — is a popular choice for multi-jurisdictional securities offerings.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP draws upon its solid New York office to advise on a steady stream of sophisticated cross-border deals, particularly M&A and tax matters. The firm also has extensive experience in Asian and Latin American markets. New York-based Rob Lando is a key contact for US-related work and brings to bear a strong record in corporate and securities transactions. New York-based financial services specialist Andrew G. Herr is also noted.

New York-headquartered Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has one of the largest Canada-focused groups among US law firms and works on a high volume of US-Canada cross-border deals. New York-qualified securities specialist Christopher Cummings is a key contact in Ontario. Corporate finance expert Adam Givertz, who splits his time between New York and Toronto, is also a high-profile figure.

Cross-border work is a strong suit at Torys LLP, which has robust experience in both outbound and inbound matters. The firm particularly shines in US-related deals, with its New York office providing capable support in corporate finance, M&A, infrastructure, restructuring and tax matters. New York- and Ontario-qualified Tara Mackay, who splits her time between New York and Toronto, is highly regarded for her expertise in the burgeoning US P3 market. New York managing partner Karrin Powys-Lybbe, who specializes in corporate finance, is known for her close links to the Brookfield group of companies.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has a robust Asia-Pacific practice, which benefits from the firm’s sole international outpost in Beijing. It also maintains distinct multi-disciplinary US and UK regional groups. Toronto-based corporate finance partner Alfred Page leads the US initiative and is singled out for his experience in cross-border private equity and capital markets matters.

As the only national firm with an office in Hong Kong, McMillan LLP is well positioned to advise Chinese, South Korean and Japanese clients — and it has significant expertise in all three markets. China practice co-head Stephen Wortley, who splits his time between Hong Kong and Vancouver, chairs the Hong Kong office and is well versed in Stock Exchange of Hong Kong listings and Chinese outbound M&A deals into Canada.