Mark Tonkovich > Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP > Toronto, Canada > Lawyer Profile

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
199 BAY STREET
SUITE 4000, COMMERCE COURT WEST
TORONTO, ONTARIO M5L 1A9
Canada

Work Department

Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Tax

Position

Mark Tonkovich’s practice focuses exclusively on resolving Canadian tax disputes. He represents many of Canada’s and the world’s largest and most sophisticated businesses in tax-related civil litigation, administrative appeals, audit defence, and in proactively managing tax dispute risks. Mark has successfully acted for taxpayers at all levels of court, with the Federal Court of Appeal describing his work as “exemplary” in a 2013 judicial review application. He draws on Blakes’ top-tier national tax practice to develop and execute comprehensive and practical strategies for resolving tax disputes as efficiently and favourably as possible, both within and beyond the courtroom.

Mark frequently writes and presents on tax issues for leading professional and industry organizations. He is a member of the editorial board of the journal Tax Litigation, and he previously chaired each of the Tax Court Bench and Bar Committee and the Ontario Bar Association’s Taxation Law Section. He has written dozens of articles on Canadian tax matters, including in the peer-reviewed Canadian Tax Journal and the National Journal of Constitutional Law. Earlier in his career, Mark served as an appellate judicial clerk and as a tax litigator with the Department of Justice. He is recognized in every major Canadian tax/tax litigation lawyer ranking.

Memberships

 

 

Lawyer Rankings

Canada > Tax

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.