The Legal 500 > Canada > Canada > Tax

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP's tax team is spread across the firm's Toronto and Montréal offices, and also provides 'seamless' advice on cross-border matters involving the US, thanks in part to its on-the-ground presence in New York. The department advises on the full range on work, with particular expertise in tax litigation and tax planning. Indeed, it is often involved in market-leading transactions, which recently included advising Barrick Gold Corporation on the $750m sale of its 50% interest in Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines. The practice is jointly led from Toronto by John Ulmer, Elie Roth and Ian Crosbie, while Marie-Emmanuelle Vaillancourt heads up the Montréal team. Also recommended is tax appeals specialist Guy Du Pont Ad E, Brian Bloom and next generation partner Christopher Anderson.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP has a notably well balanced tax practice, in which tax planners and litigators work together on a wide range of matters including the structuring and negotiation of M&A and asset deals, joint ventures, equity investments and debt financings. The group's reputation in high-value transactions generates a significant amount of headline instructions, a recent example of which was the team's advice to Dream Global Real Estate Investment Trust on its $6.2bn acquisition by affiliates of Blackstone-managed real estate funds; Firoz Ahmed led that transaction. On the contentious side, Al Meghji has become a fixture in the Tax Court and the Federal Court, where he has developed a strong reputation for representing Canadian and multinational corporations. The department is jointly led by Patrick Marley and Monica Biringer, who has expertise in all aspects of corporate income tax. All named lawyers are based in Toronto.

Goodmans LLP' tax team is recognized for its expertise in high-end corporate transactions, from headline M&A and public financing deals to corporate reorganization mandates and standalone structuring advice. Though the team is best known for its transactional and advisory tax work, the department also features tax dispute resolution capabilities. Carrie Smit leads the department from the firm's Toronto office, where she has experience handling the tax aspects of a huge variety of corporate and private equity transactions, public and private financing deals, and cross-border reorganizations. Other contacts in Toronto include Mitchell Sherman, Jon Northup and Jarrett Freeman.

Bennett Jones LLP houses a robust corporate tax practice that is particularly specialized in the area of natural resources, in line with the wider firm's strengths in oil and gas, power and mining. On the contentious side, the practice group assists clients with income and commodity tax-related controversies, from initial audits and administrative appeals through to litigation and court appeals. Toronto-based Thomas Bauer jointly leads the practice alongside Darcy Moch in Calgary. Edwin Kroft QC heads up the tax litigation and transfer pricing group, splitting his time between Vancouver and Toronto. Other key names in the team include Calgary-based litigator Jehad Haymour and Toronto managing partner Stephen Bowman.

Stikeman Elliott LLP is recognized for its broad capabilities in domestic and international tax matters, particularly in relation to private and public debt and equity financings and M&A. The team also has strengths in tax controversy matters, where it represents clients in tax disputes at every level of court, from first instance to appeals. National group head John Lorito in Toronto is highly regarded for his work both on transactional and contentious matters. Frank Mathieu leads the Montréal tax group and advises domestic and international clients on the tax implications of M&A, corporate reorganizations and restructurings. Energy sector specialist Julie D’Avignon is a key contact in Calgary, and Dean Kraus is also recommended in the Toronto office.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has a solid track record of advising on the tax aspects of a variety of transactions in the energy, life sciences and financial services sectors. Craig Webster leads the nationwide tax group, and is particularly experienced in the investment management industry. Another name to note is Stephen Fyfe, who has expertise in energy sector taxation.

Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP is widely recognised as a leader in the energy sector, and has a strong track record of creating tax-assisted financing vehicles in this industry. Given its sector strength, the tax team has particular experience of the taxation of limited partnerships, joint ventures and hybrid vehicles, and has also handled tax disputes. The department is led by John Brussa in Alberta.

EY Law LLP advises on the full range of tax work, including tax controversies. Clients benefit from the firm's extensive global network, making it a popular choice for cross-border transactions. Litigator Daniel Sandler leads the department from Toronto, representing clients in disputes with federal and provincial tax authorities. Angelo Nikolakakis in Montréal is a name to note for corporate transactions.

Boutique tax firm Felesky Flynn LLP has a strong presence in Western Canada, where it advises clients on the tax aspects of cross-border corporate transactions, standalone tax planning and energy taxation. The team is also well versed in tax litigation and audits. Calgary-based Brent Perry QC is a key contact.

Boutique tax firm Thorsteinssons LLP is particularly well known for its expertise in resource taxation, customs work and funds taxation. Led by managing partner Michael Colborne in the Toronto office, the team has capabilities in tax controversies, in addition to corporate transactions and structuring mandates.

Working seamlessly with the firm's global network, Baker McKenzie's Toronto-based tax team stands out for its ability to advise multinational corporates on cross-border tax mandates and transfer pricing concerns. In particular, the team has been especially active in the automotive, manufacturing, natural resources and technology sectors. Litigator Jacques Bernier heads up the 'solutions-driven' practice group, and Peter Clark is highlighted by clients as 'a pleasure to work with'.

With offices in every one of Canada's major commercial centres, PwC Law LLP is recognized not just for its ability to support the global firm's international work, but also for its strength in purely domestic tax matters, both contentious and non-contentious. Litigator Patrick Lindsay leads the department from Calgary.