Bennett Jones LLP > Toronto, Canada > Firm Profile

Bennett Jones LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Canada > Cannabis Tier 1

The cannabis team at Bennett Jones LLP offers dedicated transactional, regulatory and litigation services for a range of national cannabis producers. Toronto-based Curtis Cusinato and Gordon McKenna advised on CMG Partners’ $282m SPAC offering, the largest cannabis-industry SPAC in history. It also leverages the firm’s broader insolvency practices to advise on a number of restructurings in the industry. On the regulatory side, it offers expertise with packaging and labelling, consumer health as well as new Health Canada rules. The practice is led by Aaron Sonshine and Dominique Hussey from Toronto. Sonshine focuses on the transactional side of the practice, with experience in a number of cannabis-sector mergers, financings and corporate governance matters. Hussey is a seasoned litigator, acting in IP, marketing and labelling matters, with a broad range of pharmaceutical and product experience. Angela Blake is well regarded for her expertise in corporate restructuring, whiles Melissa Dimilta provides key IP litigation support to the cannabis team.

Canada > Dispute resolution

Bennett Jones LLP maintains its longstanding position at the top of the market in Alberta, while in Ontario it is now an established high-stakes litigation counsel, and its Vancouver office is growing in litigation and is noted for its arbitration expertise too. The commercial litigation team in Calgary is coordinated by David Hawreluk and Michael Theroux, and their respective strengths in the oil and gas and wider energy sectors are reflected in a number of the practice’s recent cases. Munaf Mohamed QC is another key name in Calgary and his work has a strong emphasis on civil fraud and international asset recovery claims, and Blair Yorke-Slader stands out for his trial and appellate business and energy litigation practice. Laura Gill and Michael Mysak are both partners with bright futures in Alberta. In Toronto, high-stakes class actions featured in the 2020 standout matters; Cheryl Woodin and Michael Eizenga co-lead that practice, while overall practice head Richard Swan has led a range of litigation, mediation and arbitration proceedings. Robert Staley is a name to note for securities litigation. In the Vancouver office, David Gruber is a go-to contact; his corporate and commercial litigation experience encompasses shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of contract cases and securities matters.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 1

With deep knowledge of the energy industry, Bennett Jones LLP is frequently engaged in the most significant oil and gas-related mandates for a host of private and public-sector stakeholders, including lenders, project developers, and major corporations. Clients benefit not only from core transactional expertise, but also the team’s ability to handle the structuring and development of large-scale projects and complex regulatory issues, most notably permitting and enforcement matters. Also noteworthy is the department’s experience in negotiating joint venture development agreements in relation to First Nations participation and treaty lands. The team is under the joint leadership of two partners based in Calgary: Vivek Warrier , who specialises in project development and M&A in the oil and gas sector, and Shawn Munro , whose areas of focus include regulatory and environmental aspects of energy projects. David Bursey is a preeminent energy regulatory lawyer in Vancouver. Other notable practitioners in Calgary include Donald Greenfield, Loyola Keough, and Lawrence Smith, all of whom have a wealth of experience in regulatory proceedings, and Patrick Maguire, who is seasoned in industry-related commercial transactions.

Canada > Environment Tier 1

Offering coast-to-coast coverage, Bennett Jones LLP provides comprehensive legal services covering all environmental issues arising from project development, M&A, financing transactions, and insolvencies. The practice, which is frequently retained by clients from the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors, is particularly well-placed to assist with environmental regulatory compliance, prosecutions under provincial and federal environmental legislation, class actions and crisis management. The team is a go-to destination for companies from the oil and gas and infrastructure segments seeking advice on environmental impact assessments for the regulatory approval of projects. In Toronto, environmental specialist Leonard Griffiths has a wealth of experience in brownfield redevelopment and contaminated sites. Brad Gilmour, who sits in the Calgary office, leads on regulatory compliance work and is also often involved in environmental litigation and project approvals. Vancouver-based Radha Curpen brings together expertise in project permitting, ESG and transactional mandates. David Bursey, whose experience covers environmental issues pertaining to the mining, forestry, energy and transport sectors, is another name to note in Vancouver. Based in Toronto, Sarah Gilbert  is a contact for matters involving the transportation of dangerous goods, waste management, air emissions and contaminated properties.

Transport > Aviation Tier 1

Bennett Jones LLP is known for its deep knowledge of the aviation industry, offering broad corporate and litigation expertise to its clients. The team is well renowned for its transactional advice, advising service providers and airlines on aircraft sales, leasing, financing and debt restructuring needs. Recent work in the transactional space includes advising Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service on the c$120m replacement of its helicopter fleet. Litigation is another area of strength for the team, and it is particularly active in maintenance, damage and safety suits; the team also advises on foreign ownership laws. Patrick Brennan leads the team from Calgary and has a stellar reputation handling transactional matters.  Other key names include Toronto-based Ian Michael, who advises on M&A, and associate Noriko Shimura, who focuses on finance. Corporate lawyer Kenton Rein re-joined the firm from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.

Canada > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP is well regarded for its merger review and litigation work; it has a particular emphasis on international work due to its offices in Washington DC and New York. An example of this is the team's advice on Allergan’s proposed $63bn acquisition by Abbvie, which was led by Melanie Aitken in DC and supported by Adam Kalbfleisch and the recently promoted Kyle Donnelly from Toronto and New York, respectively. It offers a broad range of sector expertise covering technology, telecoms and natural resources, among others. Aitken leads the US team from DC, while Randal Hughes leads the Canadian team from Toronto. Litigator John Rook and Emrys Davis are other key names.

Canada > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP offers its clients key corporate transactional support, and has vast expertise in the energy, cannabis and retail sectors. Though historically based in its Calgary office, the team also has active practices out of Toronto and Vancouver. In a major highlight, capital markets co-head John Piasta advised Cenovus Energy on its $23.6bn acquisition of Husky Energy. The team has also been expanding its bench strength, promoting a number of associates and hiring multiple new partners. Curtis Cusinato and Linda Misetich-Dann jointly lead the Toronto corporate team, with Cusinato focusing on M&A matters, and Misetich-Dann maintaining a broad corporate law practice. In Calgary, Brent Kraus leads the team, advising on transactional, governance and shareholder activism matters. John Mercury is a key name for private equity work, and Christian Gauthier is a junior partner of note.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Canadian and international mining companies of all sizes, financial institutions and investors seek Bennett Jones LLP‘s legal assistance in the full scope of mining matters, with an emphasis on M&A deals and financing transactions. During the course of 2020, the team was particularly active advising mining clients on the impact of the pandemic, which was reflected in an increase of restructuring, crisis management and corporate governance mandates over the review period. The practice’s service offering goes beyond capital markets and corporate transactions, and also includes royalty and streaming agreements, project finance and development, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution. Leading the department is transactional partner Sander Grieve, whose specialisms encompass global mining exploration, development and extraction. Typical mandates for Abbas Ali Khan  include M&A deals and financing on behalf of mining companies. Securities and corporate law specialist Linda Misetich Dann  is also deeply involved in the mining practice. All named practitioners are based in Toronto.

Energy and natural resources > Power Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP has an experienced power and renewables practice that provides support to an impressive roster of clients, comprising domestic and international producers, suppliers and developers across Canada. The firm is a go-to destination for energy regulation and infrastructure projects across  generation, transmission and distribution, demonstrating particular strength in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. Typical mandates for the Calgary-based team also include environmental compliance, procurement, restructuring and M&A transactions. Co-head David Macaulay  ‘s experience in the sector covers M&A and project development in Western Canada. Fellow co-chair Thomas McInerney is regularly retained bu energy clients in commercial transactions, and renewable power generation projects. Loyola Keough is another key practitioner, who is noted for her expertise in electricity regulatory matters.  

Canada > Infrastructure projects Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP is a popular destination for private and public sector project owners engaged in a range of projects, including energy, telecoms, wastewater, transportation, social and urban infrastructure. Construction law expert Jason Roth chairs the capital projects group that is skilled at advising clients on the entire life-cycle of projects, including funding, procurement, development, construction, dispute resolution and governance issues. Recent arrivals David Little and Charlene Hiller strengthened and diversified the practice’s offering in Vancouver. Little focuses on the infrastructure sector, and is proficient in PPPs, development and procurement, while Hiller is often retained to assist with the procurement and construction of healthcare, mining and transportation projects.

Canada > International trade Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP advises clients across the full range of international trade matters, including trade remedy cases, export control matters, import regulations and disputes. Notable highlights include Ottawa-based Valerie Hughes representing the Qatari government in a WTO dispute with the UAE and acting for G-III apparel in a customs appeal. The team is particularly known for its supply chain compliance and advisory work under a number of international frameworks, in particular advocating for Chinese suppliers in front of Global Affairs and the Department of National defense. Darrel Pearson leads the team from Toronto, offering a broad trade practice. Other key names include Sabrina Bandali and George Reid, who handle investigations and disputes, and recently promoted partner Jessica Horwitz.

Canada > Real estate and construction Tier 2

With a great national footprint, Bennett Jones LLP represents a domestic and international client roster of owner, developers, investors and financiers in a broad variety of real estate transactions and projects. The team is jointly led by four partners based across Canada: Ron Barron in Calgary, Robert Bothwell in Edmonton, Jane Helmstadter  in Toronto and Larry Sandrin in Vancouver. Helmstadter's practice encompasses commercial real estate transactions and development mandates, which are also key areas of activity for fellow co-head Sandrin. Paul Mantini in Toronto regularly assists with the development and financing of large-scale projects, while Simon Crawford  in the same office is highly regarded for his wealth of experience in high-value transactions involving commercial and residential properties. John van Gent is another name to note for transactional work in Toronto. Based in Calgary, Alixe Cameron excels in commercial real estate matters, encompassing office towers, industrial and retail buildings, condo developments and farmlands.

Canada > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP provides key insolvency services to clients in the energy and natural resources sector. Elsewhere, Sean Zweig is advising a consortium of provinces in connection with three large-scale tobacco industry insolvencies. Kevin Zych is another key figure in the team, which acts for debtors, lenders, investors and court-appointed monitors. Zych co-leads the team with Christopher Simard. Other key names include Kelsey Meyer and litigator Ken Lenz, both of whom are Calgary-based.

Canada > Banking and finance Tier 3

Known for its work with alternative lenders and credit providers, Bennett Jones LLP also acts on the lender side for traditional banks, in both new financings and refinancings. Its most notable offering is on the borrower side, with a leading practice in the natural resources sector, where it acts for both mining and energy companies. Within this area, Mark Rasile acted for Cenovus on the debt financing for its merger with Husky Energy. It is also a national leader in aircraft financing. Steve Lutz and Patrick Brennan jointly lead the practice from Toronto and Calgary respectively, advising lenders and aircraft financiers. Karen Dawson, also in Calgary, stands out for her significant experience with alternative lenders, while John Teolis is key on the financial regulatory side. David Rotchtin is known for his cannabis-sector expertise.

Canada > Capital markets Tier 3

With offices in Calgary and Toronto, Bennett Jones LLP advises a growing list of major companies on debt and equity markets matters. The team is particularly known for its energy and natural resources sector work, and is also increasingly active in the agribusiness and transport sectors. Key names based in the Calgary office include Mark Powell, who heads the trading and derivatives practice and has considerable expertise in securitization, and John Piasta, who jointly heads the capital markets team alongside Toronto-based partner Kristopher Hanc. Also noteworthy is Gordon Cameron in New York, who brings significant US/Canadian cross-border experience to the practice, and Brent Kraus , who offers additional energy sector expertise.

Canada > Indigenous law Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP undertakes a variety of Aboriginal law work, with lawyers offering significant experience in the space, especially in relation to the accommodation of Indigenous communities’ interests in the context of development projects, commercial arrangements and transactions. The practice predominantly acts for proponents of energy, natural resources and transportation projects, but is also well-versed in advising Indigenous groups on internal governance, Aboriginal rights claims and land development policies. Based in Vancouver, David Bursey assists with duty to consult matters and represents clients before provincial and federal courts, while Radha Curpen is noted for her broad practice that covers Aboriginal self-government, land and water rights claims, and the Indian Act. Also in Vancouver, Sharon Singh brings together expertise in Aboriginal due diligence related to project development, policy and governance issues. Deirdre Sheehan in Calgary regularly assists with approval processes.

Canada > Intellectual property Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP‘s broad IP practice covers prosecution, litigation, advisory and transactional advice from offices in Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary. Stephen Burns, is based at the latter office and focuses on M&A transactions with complex IP elements while over in Toronto, fellow practice co-head  Dominique Hussey is active on the contentious front, handling patent and trademark litigation with noted strength in the pharmaceutical sector. Jeilah Chan counts names such as Ferrero Group and Prada among her client list and supports with both IP strategy and litigation.  

Canada > International expertise Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP offers strong US links to its clients, with two US offices in New York and Washington DC, and lawyers who have been called to the bar in China, the UK, Doha, Australia and Japan. The team offers key expertise in mining, international trade, competition regulation, infrastructure and private equity. It also has a notable government relations practice, particularly operating out of its DC office. Melanie Aitken serves as the practice head in Washington, with her competition and foreign investment experience including serving as competition commissioner. Gordon Cameron leads the New York office, providing expertise in cross-border M&A deals.

Canada > Labour and employment Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP's employment team provides a comprehensive service to clients from the firm's offices in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. Its work ranges in scope from advice on standalone employment issues to corporate support. Clients include Telus, Canada Utilities and Riverstone Holdings. One of the key contacts at the firm is John Gilmore in Calgary, who advises clients on employment contracts and collective agreements, as well as employee terminations and downsizing. Another key figure is Carl Cunningham in Toronto, who frequently acts for federally and provincially-regulated employers. Also based in Toronto is Susan Seller, who is the go-to pensions and benefits expert. Christine Plante joined the Calgary office in September 2020 from Canadian Pacific Railway Company.

Canada > Pensions Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP's pensions and benefits work is a core part of its wider employment services offering. It advises on the design, establishment, administration and investment of registered and non-registered pension plans. The team is also knowledgeable about pensions and benefits issues arising from M&A and other corporate transactions. Its roster of clients includes names such as Canada Medical Association and Dayco Canada. Susan Seller chairs the employment services group. Jordan Fremont and associate Jaspreet Kaur are other key contacts. All named lawyers are based in Toronto.

Canada > Tax Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP is highly reputed for advice on tax planning, as well as the tax aspects of M&A, inbound private equity investments, equity fundraises and debt restructurings. Its team's expertise spans areas such as oil and gas, mining, real estate, technology and financial services. Recent work including providing tax advice to Cenovus Energy in relation to its $23.6bn combination with Husky Energy. Thomas Bauer in Toronto jointly leads the practice with Calgary-based partner Darcy Moch. Other key names include vice-chair Stephen Bowman, Edwin Kroft QC and Jehad Haymour.

Canada > Technology Tier 3

Toronto-based partner Gary Solway leads Bennett Jones LLP's technology, media and entertainment practice, which handles a wide range of mandates for start-up and emerging technology enterprises. Its varied portfolio of work includes M&A and finance transactions, as well as licensing matters. Solway has over 35 years of experience acting for venture capital investors, start-ups, mature businesses and public companies in the IT sector. Also recommended is Sébastien Gittens, who works across both the IT and IP practices from the Calgary office; he focuses on M&A and licensing matters. Bruce Hibbard, who is also based in Calgary, assists private equity and venture capital funds with fund formation and investments in start-ups.