Canada > Transport: aviation > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Bennett Jones LLP has a specialist aviation practice, which is sought after by major airlines and aircraft operators to advise on the full suite of financing, leasing, acquisition and regulatory matters. Calgary-based Patrick Brennan, who co-heads the national financial services department, is widely recognized as a leading expert in the area. Toronto-based Ian Michael is also noted for his activity in the airport infrastructure space.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s standalone aviation offering has strengths across all key pillars of aviation law, with specialist skill sets in finance, regulation, insurance and tax. It can also draw upon the wider firm’s full-service offering for support on large transactions. The team is led in Toronto by finance specialist Donald Gray, and also includes up-and-coming aviation partner Jason MacIntyre.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP’s aviation offering forms a key part of its highly regarded Canadian transportation practice, which is particularly prominent in regulatory matters. The group, which routinely acts for national carriers such as Air Canada and Qantas, is also well versed in aircraft acquisitions, leasing and financing. Calgary-based Laura Safran QC heads the aviation group, while Toronto-based regulatory expert Catherine Pawluch co-leads the wider transportation group. Toronto’s Andrew McFarlane, who focuses on aircraft and equipment financing, is also recommended.

Aviation law is a key pillar of Bersenas Jacobsen Chouest Thomson Blackburn LLP’s firm-wide offering, housing a capable aviation practice covering the full range of regulatory, litigious and commercial matters. Founding partner Carlos Martins acts for an impressive range of air operators, including domestic and international air carriers, on regulatory issues. Litigator Tae Mee Park is recommended for her specialist focus on contentious aviation matters.

Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP fields a compact but effective aviation group, which advises on a wide range of corporate, finance and regulatory matters. Spearheaded by impressive up-and-coming partner Colby Dewart, the group counts airlines, aircraft owners, manufacturers, purchasers and lessors among its key clients.

Acting for airlines, manufacturers, investors, and banks, Gowling WLG strikes a balance between transactional and contentious work, with a strong recent showing in the aviation finance space. In addition, the team regularly advises regulatory issues, aircraft sales and acquisitions, leasing arrangements and operational matters. Montreal-based Marie-France Béland, who focuses on aviation finance, heads the department.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s aviation practice has its largest on-the-ground presence in Quebec and enjoys a strong relationship with Montreal-based manufacturing giant, Bombardier. The team advises on a wide range of industry-specific issues, and is adept at handling corporate and finance transactions in the aviation space. Key contacts include corporate and securities partner Paul Raymond and transportation head Alain Ricard, both of whom are based in Montreal.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s aviation practice is perhaps best known in the contentious space, though the team also advises on finance and corporate transactions. Vancouver-based litigator Leon Beukman heads the aviation focus group and has a strong record in representing airlines, operators and manufacturers in product liability and contractual claims.

Dentons’ increasingly prominent practice group stands out for its client relationships with China-based airlines, including China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. Toronto-based counsel Carlo Vairo, whose practice spans aircraft finance, leasing and acquisitions, is recommended.

Fasken houses a robust disputes practice that represents airlines, leasing companies and other aviation service providers in complex claims, including class actions. The group also teams up with its market-leading employment practice to provide industry-specific labour and employment advice. Vancouver-based litigator Michael Parrish is noted for his expertise in aviation and product liability cases. Former group head Martin Sheehan was appointed Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec