International expertise in Canada

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Geoffrey Belsher


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Lloyd; Jennifer Maxwell; Kevin Rusli; Michael Kariya


Work highlights


  • 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.

Practice head(s):

Sarbjit Basra; Philippe Johnson; Peter Glicklich


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Nadler; Melanie Shishler; Vincent Mercier


Key clients

Alstom


Barrick Gold Corporation


The Blackstone Group


Cadillac Fairview


Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec


Google


Interfor Corporation


Rogers Communications


The Pallinghurst Group


Wattpad Corp


Work highlights


  • 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.

Practice head(s):

Shea Small; Karl Tabbakh


Key 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.

Other key lawyers:

David Chaikof; Tara Mackay


Key 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


Work highlights


  • 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.

Practice head(s):

Dominique Hussey; Pat Maguire; Radha Curpen; Gordon Cameron; Melanie Aitken; Barbara Stratton


Key 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.

Practice head(s):

Al Gourley; Blaize Vance


Other key lawyers:

Thomas Wexler; Jodi Katz; Abayomi Akinjide


Key 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)


Work highlights


  • 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.