Borden Ladner Gervais LLP > Vancouver, Canada > Firm Profile

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Canada > Construction Tier 1

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP remains a leader in the practice space, advising domestic and international owners/sponsors, governmental authorities, suppliers, service providers, contractor/developer consortiums, lenders and equity investors over the course of the entire lifecycle of major construction projects. With a client base spanning such sectors as transportation, health services, social infrastructure and energy, the firm assists with matters ranging from early-stage project and procurement planning and structuring, project governance, public funding and private financing to regulatory approval matters, closing matters and litigation, mediation and arbitration. Patricia Morrison KC leads the team in Calgary and provides expertise on large-scale infrastructure, industrial and commercial projects, in addition to high-value disputes involving tenders, construction contracts and liens. Jeffrey Vallis KC, also in Calgary, brings experience in domestic and international arbitrations. Richard Shaban in Toronto draws on 30 years of handling transactional work and the resolution of issues during procurement and project delivery. In Montreal, Simon Grégoire specializes in complex construction litigation and infrastructure and energy construction disputes. Other key figures include Gabriel Lefebvre, who brings strength to engineers' liability claims in Montreal, Rodney Smith in Calgary and veteran arbitrator Hugh Meighen in Toronto.

Energy and natural resources > Power Tier 1

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 's full-service power practice deploys experts across the full scope of transactional, regulatory and contentious work. Among the names to note, Toronto-based commercial specialist and national group head Shane Freitag possesses an impressive record in advising major utilities in both Ontario and Alberta, with his broad skill set spanning both regulatory and transactional matters. Other key transactional contacts include Toronto’s Rob Blackstein, who recently acted for SNC-Lavalin on its agreement with Ontario Power Generation to develop the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The group also draws on the senior experience of Toronto-based Mark Rodger, who specializes in commercial, regulatory and government relations-related power issues; and Calgary’s Jonathan Liteplo, who is highly regarded for his focus on energy and utilities regulation.

Canada > International trade Tier 1

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s full-spectrum international trade practice demonstrates premier offerings in all facets of trade and investment regulation, including customs and trade remedies, trade policy, sanctions and export controls, World Trade Organization (WTO) and free trade agreement (FTA) dispute resolution and anti-corruption law. Vancouver-based regulatory partner Jeffrey Thomas brings expertise to domestic trade laws, sanctions and Competition Act-related matters. Talented Toronto-based associate Jacob Mantle is also noted. Former department co-heads Jesse Goldman and Matthew Kronby departed in October 2023.

Canada > Labour and employment Tier 1

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP boasts a strong labour and employment offering, with key lawyers posted in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa. Employment matters, labour relations, collective bargaining, occupational health and safety, privacy, pensions and benefit, and immigration matters feature among the group’s specialities. André Royer steers the sizable national group from Montreal and acts for employers in relation to unlawful dismissal, conditions of employment, occupational health and safety, and labour relations matters. Additional key figures at the Montreal office include senior counsel and collective bargaining specialist Danny Kaufer, and Maryse Tremblay, who is known for advising federally regulated employers. Key Toronto contacts include litigator Matthew Certosimo and Clifford Hart, who covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. Over in Calgary, Duncan Marsden is active in the advisory space.

Transport > Shipping Tier 1

The team at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP demonstrates strong capabilities in shipping law, and is routinely instructed by shipowners, operators, ship builders, charterers, liner companies and marine terminal operators, both in Canada and overseas. The group’s contentious expertise covers cargo claims, limitation actions, customs claims, collisions and spills, while on the advisory side it offers counsel on the drafting of logistics and warehousing agreements, the purchase, sale and financing of ships and permits work. Jean-Marie Fontaine steers the practice from Montreal and is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious matters, including advising on the transportation of dangerous goods, shipbuilding disputes and marine insurance policies. Vancouver-based Dionysios Rossi handles high-profile disputes.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Alberta Tier 2

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP‘s Calgary office excels at litigation involving pipelines, construction, electricity, insolvency and securities-related matters. The group also has experience handling arbitration, insolvency disputes, and shareholder and contractual disputes. A recent work highlight saw the group successfully represent Signalta Resources in a claim against Canadian Natural Resources, a notable energy dispute. Patricia Morrison KC steers the practice and is routinely involved in the mediation, arbitration and litigation of construction disputes on large-scale commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Key contact Randall Block KC is highly specialized in energy and oil and gas litigation. In addition to oil and gas disputes, Loni da Costa brings expertise to securities defence and regulatory investigations.

Canada > Dispute resolution: British Columbia Tier 2

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP‘s British Columbia office is well-versed in commercial litigation involving the construction, power, oil-and-gas, transportation and mining segments, and has experience acting for government bodies, corporations and families. The group has additional expertise handling arbitration and insolvency, shareholder and contractual disputes. Practice co-head Sarah McEachern is retained by clients seeking solutions to complex commercial and construction disputes; she handles both litigation and arbitration and has particular knowledge of the mining and healthcare sectors. Leading alongside her, Robert Deane is highly specialized in arbitration proceedings.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Quebec Tier 2

The Quebec practice at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is noted for its skill in class actions, white collar crime, cybersecurity, IP, banking and financial services, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Major domestic banks and multinationals in the aeronautic, telecoms, logistics and construction sectors routinely feature on the group’s client roster. Practice co-head Mathieu Piché-Messier majors on civil and commercial litigation and international arbitration, with a particular focus on aviation law and IP matters. Alongside him, Gabriel Lefebvre is well-versed in representing property owners, contractors, bonding companies and insurers in contentious construction matters. Litigators François Grondin and Karine Chênevert are additional key contacts.

Canada > Indigenous law Tier 2

The group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is regularly called upon by Indigenous governments, agencies, financial institutions and energy companies to assist with environmental assessments, consultations and accommodation processes. Other noted strengths of the group include project financings involving Indigenous groups and lands, Indigenous jurisdiction issues and litigation. Toronto-based Cherie Brant steers the practice; she routinely provides policy and governance counsel to Indigenous groups and leads on energy transactions. Dedicated Indigenous law counsel Chris Roine of the Vancouver office is noted for his experience assisting First Nations organizations with partnerships, commercial arrangements and governance matters.

Canada > Infrastructure projects Tier 2

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 's integrated projects and construction group is among the largest in Canada, with the ability to draw on well-staffed platforms in key provinces across the country. Vancouver-based infrastructure specialist Douglas Sanders spearheads the department and has strong experience in PPP projects; he is advising Alstom Canada on its participation as a member of ONxpress Transportation Partners for the Metrolinx Regional Express Railway GO Rail Expansion Project, Package 3. In Montreal, Pascale Dionne is noted for project finance work, while Sarah Bird specializes in PPP and project development in Vancouver, and senior counsel Richard Shaban is noted for construction and procurement in Toronto.

Canada > Insurance Tier 2

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s thriving insurance litigation group handles the full range of insurance defence claims, with a focus on national insurance programs for domestic and international insurers. The team also impresses with its public sector expertise, where it routinely acts as defence counsel to municipalities, school boards and hospitals. Toronto-based Rebecca Bush leads the insurance and tort liability group nationally and is recommended for her record in public authority litigation and tort litigation for large institutional clients. The group also includes Ottawa-based Larry Elliot, who focuses on civil litigation; Toronto-based Kevin McGivney, who frequently defends police services and municipalities; transactional and regulatory insurance specialist Donna Spagnolo; and specialized disputes head Graham Walker.

Canada > Banking and finance

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP maintains a broad banking and finance practice, which acts for both corporate borrowers and lenders on financings; it also contributes significant regulatory expertise. The national group enjoys a prominent platform in Montreal, which is the seat of national financial services lead Claudine Millette; she specializes in advising lenders on financing matters. Other key names in Montreal include Vincent Frenette, who focuses on corporate finance and acquisition finance; and Montreal group head Olivier Tardif, who handles transactional and regulatory work. In Toronto, Gus Karantzoulis and Howard Silverman are noted for finance transactions, while Stephen Redican heads the national regulatory practice.

Canada > Business immigration Tier 3

Canada > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Core strengths of the group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP include cartel defence, class action, regulatory advisory and litigation, as well as transactional work, including mergers and foreign investment review. It is regularly instructed by tech, mining, banking, healthcare and e-commerce-sector clients. Senior partner Subrata Bhattacharjee steers the practice from Toronto and specializes in providing strategic competition, foreign investment and regulatory advice to global corporations. Key partner Denes Rothschild (also in Toronto) majors on proposed mergers and foreign investment review, as well as litigation.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Ontario Tier 3

The Ontario practice at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP services clients across a range of sectors, including financial services, mining, healthcare, retail and real estate. The group is noted for its participation in class action defence, investigations, commercial fraud and white-collar crime proceedings, in addition to financial institution, securities and banking-related matters. A trio of partners co-lead: David Di Paolo handles securities litigation, class actions and shareholder disputes; Nadia Effendi specializes in class actions as well as administrative and regulatory matters; Ottawa-based Kathleen McDormand completes the leadership team.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP employs the full bench strength of over 800 lawyers across 5 national locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, to provide major domestic and international mining companies, public and private issuers, underwriters and institutional investors with a comprehensive range of services across the practice area. They cover joint ventures, streaming, M&A, project finance, due diligence, as well as environmental, tax and Indigenous matters. Fred Pletcher in Vancouver leads the national team, bringing over 30 years of mining industry experience to acquisitions and dispositions, development projects, exploration properties and option agreements. Graeme Martindale, also in Vancouver, advises clients on initial public offerings, public and private equity and debt financings, compliance and corporate governance. The Toronto office was bolstered by the June 2022 arrival of Timothy McCormick from Stikeman Elliott LLP. Andrew Powers has now left the firm.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 3

Distinguished by the breadth of its regulatory offering, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP routinely represents domestic and multinational energy companies on environmental and administrative law matters, including litigation. The practice also handles commercial work. Calgary-based transactional partner Peter Bryan leads the oil and gas group nationally, while commercial and regulatory specialist Rick Williams heads the department in Vancouver and also fronts the national environmental team. Other key names in Calgary include senior counsel Randall Block KC, who is a go-to name for energy disputes, and regulatory expert Alan Ross KC.

Canada > Environment Tier 3

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP houses a robust environmental law practice, which is particularly recognized for its activity in energy, mining and Indigenous law-related matters. From its broad base of offices across the country, the group is equipped to handle environmental disputes, regulatory issues, and transactional support work. Vancouver-based Rick Williams fronts the department and is well versed in both contentious and non-contentious work, but he is primarily noted for his experience in project development, permitting and operations in the energy and natural resource sectors. Toronto-based Gabrielle Kramer is also recommended.

Canada > Intellectual property Tier 3

Canada > Pensions Tier 3

Canada > Public procurement Tier 3

The 49-strong group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has experience representing both government authorities – including Crown corporations and municipalities – and private sector developers, in a wide spectrum of public procurements. Vancouver-based partner Douglas Sanders co-heads the practice and majors on PPPs and the drafting of construction contracts. Alongside him, counsel Richard Shaban of the Toronto office assists hospitals, public authorities and developers with construction projects. Mark Fecenko completes the leadership trio.

Canada > Real estate Tier 3

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP employs the full bench strength of over 800 lawyers in 5 national locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, to advise a diverse client base of pension funds, life insurance companies, utility companies, institutional investors, family offices, public sector clients, developers, commercial landlords, tenants and REITs, on wide range of real estate matters. The team is led by Aaron Bowler in Calgary, who brings experience to high-value acquisitions and dispositions, financings, developments and restructurings, across such asset classes as office towers, hotels, shopping centres, railways and resorts. Key figures include senior partner Sylvie Bouvette in Montreal, who represents sellers and purchasers in joint ventures; Frank Arnone in Toronto, who assists clients with complex investment structures; Line Abecassis in Montreal, an expert in acquisitions, divestitures and the leasing of industrial, office, and retail and mixed-use buildings; and David Longcroft, an experienced specialist in mixed-use projects and associated air space parcel subdivisions.

Canada > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's practice is frequently called upon by senior secured lenders, insolvency professionals acting as monitors and court-appointed receivers, private equity funds, as well as debtors, for its restructuring expertise. Additional expertise lies in acting for DIP lenders, court officers and prospective purchasers regarding cross-border proceedings including Chapter 11. Toronto-based practice head Alex MacFarlane has particular experience acting for distressed finance, cannabis and retail sector clients, while senior counsel Marc Duchesne co-leads in Montreal and works primarily on the debtor side.

Canada > Tax Tier 3

The 43-strong team at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP handles the range of tax matters, including corporate tax, estate planning, commodity tax and the tax aspects of domestic and international transactions. The group also takes care of disputes relating to Canada’s federal and provincial taxes, including GST and HST, income tax and commodity taxes. Toronto-based practice head Craig Webster leads from Toronto and focuses on tax matters relating to investment funds. Also working at the Toronto office, Steve Suarez is active on both transactional and contentious issues. Calgary-based Laurie Goldbach fronts the tax disputes team.

Canada > Technology Tier 3

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's technology group demonstrates strength in commercial agreements, disputes M&A, and cybersecurity, IP, privacy, data protection and regulatory matters. Vancouver-based partner Andrew Hennigar specializes in assisting private companies with domestic and cross-border M&A, venture capital and private equity transactions, and strategic alliances and partnerships. The focus of Mark Fecenko's Toronto-based practice is on the intersection of technology, procurement and partnering with the private and public sectors. Patrice Martin in Montreal brings skill to such areas as AI and autonomous vehicles.

Transport > Other transport Tier 3

National and regional railway companies, urban transit authorities, transportation service providers, project developers, contractors, operators and insurers regularly feature on the client roster of the group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Areas of expertise include financing, regulatory planning, compliance, litigation and arbitration. Toronto-based litigator Robin Squires steers the national department and handles class action defence and complex casualty matters. Ex-rail and road team head Robert Shouldice retired in 2023.

Canada > Capital markets Tier 4

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s capital markets practice has a focus on the mid-market space, which ensures a steady stream of smaller offerings — both debt and equity. Led from Vancouver by Kent Kufeldt, who consistently represents both issuers and underwriters, the department also draws on Vancouver-based mining head Fred Pletcher. The Toronto team was recently boosted by the hires of Timothy McCormick and counsel Laura Levine, who both joined as partners from Stikeman Elliott LLP. Additionally, Frazer House joined as a partner from Torys, where he was an associate.

Canada > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP utilizes the full bench strength of over 800 lawyers across 5 national locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, to advise national and international corporates and financial institutions involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The practice’s client base spans sectors ranging from media, tech, cannabis, infrastructure, energy and mining to financial services, retail and transport. The group’s comprehensive service covers complex M&A, joint venture agreements, corporate finance, corporate governance and shareholder activism. The practice is led by national group head of corporate and capital markets Prema Thiele in Toronto, who brings over 30 years assisting international fund managers, portfolio managers and dealers with legal and compliance issues; corporate and commercial national business leader Subrata Bhattacharjee (also Toronto); and national business leader of securities and capital markets leader Kent Kufeldt in Vancouver and Calgary. Timothy McCormick joined from Stikeman Elliott LLP in June 2022. Jason Saltzman departed in June 2022.

Transport > Aviation