Jacques Bernier > Baker McKenzie > Toronto, Canada > Lawyer Profile

Baker McKenzie
181 BAY STREET
SUITE 2100, PO BOX 874
TORONTO, ONTARIO, M5J 2T3
Canada

Work Department

Tax

Position

While leading Baker McKenzie’s Canadian tax practice, Jacques Bernier assists clients in resolving their Canadian tax controversies and litigating them before the courts. With his vast experience, Jacques handles large, complex and sensitive cases — sometimes “bet the company” cases — often bringing exceptional results to clients. He also provides strategic advice to a number of multinationals in their dealings with the Canadian tax authorities and is the relationship partner to many Firm clients meeting their tax needs in Canada and abroad. He is singled out for his transfer-pricing expertise and recognized as a leading practitioner in Chambers Global and Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Transfer Pricing Advisors, as well as being consistently recommended for corporate tax litigation by Canadian Lexpert Legal Directory. According to Chambers Global, Jacques is “very determined, pragmatic and knowledgeable” and the “go-to-guy” in Canada. Sources also say, “He’s thoughtful, he’s calm, he thinks of the entire journey and the objective. He’s responsive, very professional and easy to talk to.”

Career

Jacques concentrates on tax litigation and representations to the Canadian tax authorities at the federal and provincial levels on a wide range of tax controversies. His most recent involvements include transfer pricing, APAs and MAPs, anti-avoidance rules, FAPI, e-commerce issues, permanent establishment and residency issues, GST/HST and provincial sales taxes, SR&ED tax incentives, independent contractor vs. employee status issues, taxable benefits, voluntary disclosures, taxpayer relief and judicial review.

Languages

English, French

Memberships

  • University of Ottawa (LL.B.) (1982)
  • University of Ottawa (LL.L) (1981)

Education

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Barreau du Québec
  • Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • The Advocates’ Society
  • International Fiscal Association

Lawyer Rankings

Canada > Tax

(Leading partners)

Jacques BernierBaker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie‘s tax group regularly handles cross-border tax structuring and tax litigation mandates for domestic and multinational clients working in a range of sectors, among them mining, financial services, pharma and e-commerce. The department is directed by Toronto-based Jacques Bernier, who specializes in litigation and transfer pricing matters. Andrew Morreale is an additional key contact. Alex Pankratz left the firm in August 2023; however, transactional tax specialist Emmanuel Sala arrived from Dentons in May 2024.