The Legal 500 > Canada > Canada > Insurance

Recognized as one of the most well-balanced insurance practices in the market, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has strong skill sets in regulatory, transactional and contentious insurance matters. On the regulatory front, financial services lead Paul Belanger is routinely engaged by insurance companies to advise on governance and product development issues. Dawn Jetten, another senior member of the financial service regulatory practice, is also a popular choice for regulatory concerns. Up-and-coming corporate and commercial partner Jake Gilbert is noted for his experience in transactional support matters, which recently included advising Chicago-headquartered Hub International on its acquisition of Toronto-based Proteus Performance Management. On the contentious side, Calgary-based litigator David Tupper is sought after for high-stakes coverage disputes, including environmental and construction cases. Named lawyers are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.

Fasken’s specialist insurance practice is especially standout on the regulatory and transactional fronts, where it is well versed in an array of M&A-related matters, policy work and product development. A top choice for both domestic and foreign insurers, the group enjoys strong relationships with property and casualty insurers (Intact, Travellers), life insurance companies (Manulife, Foresters) and major global giants (Aviva, Swiss Re). Robert McDowell ranks among the leading insurance specialists in the market and advises across the spectrum of regulatory, governance and transactional matters. Koker Christensen, who co-chairs the financial institutions group alongside McDowell, is also highly regarded for his high-level transactional and regulatory experience. On the contentious side, Peter Pliszka is noted for his focus on product liability, class actions and insurance litigation. Named lawyers are based in Toronto.

Torys LLP’s highly regarded regulatory practice is matched by the firm’s top-tier offerings in litigation, and corporate and M&A, marking the group as a leader in all aspects of insurance law. On the non-contentious front, Blair Keefe is widely considered as a go-to expert in corporate and regulatory matters; he provides ongoing advice to Manulife and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada on new products and services offerings. Jill McCutcheon is also rated for regulatory and transactional work and has notable experience in the property and casualty, life and reinsurance spheres. David Outerbridge leads the insurance litigation practice and is noted for his record in construction, energy, product liability and environmental claims; he recently represented Brewers Retail in a coverage dispute with its property insurer over environmental contamination. Named lawyers are based in Toronto.

A strong performer in the transactional space, McCarthy Tétrault is consistently engaged by domestic and international insurers to advise on all aspects of M&A, capital raising and financing mandates. The group’s prolific deal activity is underpinned by its robust regulatory expertise, which draws upon strong provincial offerings in Ontario and Quebec. Led from Toronto by regulatory and transactional expert Nancy Carroll, the non-contentious side of the practice also draws on the experience of Montreal-based financial services specialist Sonia Struthers. Toronto-based litigator William Scott is recommended for insurance litigation.

Gowling WLG fields a full-service insurance offering, which is particularly concentrated in its Toronto and Calgary offices. Toronto-based Filomena Frisina, who leads the financial services regulatory group, is the key contact for non-contentious work and is highly regarded for her high-level M&A experience. In Calgary, Taryn Burnett leads the insurance and professional liability group and has a strong focus on professional liability cases.

McMillan LLP houses a solid non-contentious insurance practice, which sits in the firm’s wider banking, finance and insurance practice group. The team handles the full spread of regulatory and transactional matters, from incorporation and corporate governance issues, to M&A and corporate reorganizations. Toronto-based Gerald Badali is recommended for product development and regulatory compliance matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s increasingly prominent insurance litigation practice handles a broad range of matters nationally, with notable expertise in the marine, construction and professional liability sectors. André Legrand in Montreal, and Calgary-based up-and-coming partner Lara Mason have particular experience in professional liability matters.