Zvi Halpern-Shavim > Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP > Toronto, Canada > Lawyer Profile

The tax department at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP demonstrates strength in M&A tax planning work, cross-border tax controversy and transfer pricing matters. Paul Stepak heads up the national group; domestic and cross-border income tax planning, capital markets transactions and the taxation of mutual funds are amongst his specialities. Mark Tonkovich directs the tax litigation and controversy group and is well-versed in representing clients in proceedings against the Canada Revenue Agency. Transfer pricing lead Jeffrey Shafer assists clients with complex advance pricing arrangements. Zvi Halpern-Shavim has focused his practice on indirect tax matters, while Andrew Spiro majors on tax matters involving REITs and other real estate investment vehicles. Dan Jankovic in Calgary also brings tax litigation expertise. While senior counsel Jeffrey Trossman recently retired, the practice was strengthened with four new arrivals. Advisory tax partner Christopher Sheridan and litigator Sameer Nurmohamed joined the firm in June and July 2022, respectively. They were joined by indirect tax specialist Elena Balkos in October 2022 and Lara Friedlander in January 2023. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s multidisciplinary trade team is particularly active in advising on customs law, economic sanctions, export controls, government contracting and trade policy-related matters. Less frequently, it also handles trade-related contentious work, including investment arbitrations as well as antidumping, procurement, and other disputes before the CITT. The department is led jointly by Toronto-based tax specialist Zvi Halpern-Shavim, who is noted for customs and import controls, together with Vancouver-based litigator Roy Millen, whose broad practice takes in commercial litigation and international trade.