Firm Profile > Bennett Jones LLP > Toronto, Canada
Bennett Jones LLP Offices
3400 ONE FIRST CANADIAN PLACE
PO BOX 130
TORONTO, ONTARIO
Canada
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Bennett Jones LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Ian Michael; Noriko Shimura; Kenton Rein
Key clients
Flair Airlines Ltd.
ATB Financial
Canadian Aviation Infrastructure Consortia
Chorus Aviation Inc.
Chorus Aviation Capital (Ireland) Limited
General Bank of Canada
Jazz Aviation LP
Voyageur Aviation Corp.
Longview Aviation Capital Corp
Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Cresco Labs
TerrAscend Corp.
48North Cannabis Corp.
3 Sixty Risk Solutions Ltd.
HTC Purenergy Inc.
Beleave Inc.
CannTrust Holdings Inc.
Mettrum Ltd.
Empower Clinics Inc.
TruTrace Technologies Inc.
Canada > Dispute resolution Tier 1
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Atco
Bank of Montreal
BMO Life Assurance
Calgary Exhibition and Stampede
Canadian Natural Resources
Canadian Pacific Railway
Cenovus Energy
Dow Chemical Canada
Enbridge
Encana
Enerflow Industries
Husky Oil Operations
Imperial Oil
Japan Canada Oil Sands
Matco Investments
Meg Energy
North West Redwater Partnership
Parkland Pipeline Contractors
Pembina Pipeline
Petronas Canada
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Schlumberger
Stuart Olson
Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure
Total Energy Services
Axor Group
Borrelli Walsh
Gateway Casinos
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
Concord Pacific Group
Boffo Investment
Volkswagen
General Motors
Monsanto Canada
Nestle Canada
Hyundai/Kia
Algonquin Power & Utilities
Atlas Copco
Marriott Hotels
Clyde Bergeman Power Group
Luxtona
Forbes & Manhattan
Premier Gold Mines
Optiva
Katanga Mining
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BC LNG Alliance
Business Council of British Columbia
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Capital Regional District
Conuma Coal Resources Limited
Global Container Terminals
Mining Association of British Columbia
Pacific Traverse Energy
Polaris LNG Ltd.
Vancouver Airport Fuel Facility Corporation
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
ATCO Ltd.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL)
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Gibson Energy
Ovintiv
MEG Energy Corp.
Murphy Oil Company Ltd.
North West Redwater Partnership
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board
Parkland Fuel Corporation
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Repsol S.A
Schlumberger Production Management
Statoil Canada Ltd.
Kinder Morgan
Secure Energy
Tourmaline Oil Corp.
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Allergan plc
ALPHA Corporation
American Airlines
Apergy Corporation
Brewers Retail Inc.
Bridgestone Corporation
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation
Mosaic Forest Management
Broadridge Financial Solutions
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Canadian Pacific
CIP Capital Management LLC
EQT Partners Inc.
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited
Gibson Energy ULC
KingSett Capital
Leyou Technologies Holdings Limited
Meritor, Inc.
Mylan N.V.
Northland Properties Corp.
Panasonic Corporation
Premier Gold Mines Limited
Premium Brands Holdings Corporation
PSAV Inc.
Riverstone Holdings LLC
Schlumberger Canada Limited
Signify N.V.
Stone Canyon Industries Holdings, LLC
Sycamore Partners
The Blackstone Group
The Nielsen Company
Third Eye Capital
Tiffany & Co.
Time Warner Inc.
TMX Group Limited
Total Energy Services Inc.
Usui International Corporation
Volkswagen
Audi
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Stone Canyon Industries Holdings
Riverstone Holdings
Odyssey Capital Partners
Third Eye Capital
Cenovus Energy Inc.
TELUS
OPTrust
Osisko Gold
Lineage Logistics
Bay Grove Capital
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Provincial Health Services Authority (on multiple projects)
Providence Healthcare Society
Fraser Health Authority
Northern Health Authority
Abbotsford Regional Hospital
Interior Health Authority
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Infrastructure BC Inc.
Douglas College
ATCO Power (2010) Ltd.
Gibson Energy ULC
ATCO Pipelines
Rangeland Midstream
Travelers Insurance
7th Avenue Sky Partnership
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Valerie Hughes; Sabrina Bandali; George Reid; Jessica Horwitz
Key clients
Cenovus Energy
Crate & Barrel Canada
G-III Canada
Gold Bar
Gottex
Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems Ltd.
Hyundai Steel Company
Kissner Group
Luxtona Limited
Nippon Steel Corporation
Lone Pine Resources Inc. (Prairie Provident Resources)
Retail Council of Canada
Sentsy Canada
Volkswagen
Watermill Group
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Zekelman Industries
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Magna Gold Corp.
First Mining Gold Corp.
Karora Resources Inc.
1911 Gold Corporation
Waterton Global Resource Management
First Majestic Silver Corp.
Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation
Cardinal Resources Limited
Excellon Resources Ltd.
Katanga Mining Limited
Victoria Gold Corp.
Kissner Group
Kissner Group Holdings LP, and its owners Metalmark Capital Holdings LLC and Silvertree-KMC II LP
Premier Gold Mines Limited
Argonaut Gold Inc.
Osisko Gold Royalties
Osisko Mining Inc.
O3 Mining Inc.
Osisko Development
SolGold plc
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
ATCO Electric Ltd.
ATCO Electric Yukon
ATCO Power Canada Ltd.
Canada Trade Law Bureau (Government of Canada)
Canadian Utilities Limited
City of Vancouver
Heartland Generation Ltd./Alberta Power (2000) Ltd.
Industrial Customer Group (Teck Metals Ltd., Weyerhaueser Company Limited, Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership, Domtar Inc.)
SunEdison
TELUS
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Aoyuan Property Group
ATCO Group
Brookfield Properties Corporation
Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited (including FGL Sports Ltd., Mark’s Work Wear House Ltd.)
Canderel Group of Companies
CREIT – Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust
Edgar Development Corporation
Gateway Casino’s & Entertainment
GWL Realty Advisors
Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust
Oxford Properties Group Inc.
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Sean Zweig; Kelsey Meyer; Ken Lenz
Key clients
Bellatrix Unsecured Bondholders
BJ Services Holdings Canada
Bonavista Energy Corporation
Bybrook Capital
Calfrac Well Services
Clover Leaf Holdings Seafood Company
Contrarian Capital Management
Ernst & Young Inc.
FTI Consulting Canada Inc.
Grant Thornton Limited
KSV Kofman Inc.
PharmHouse Inc.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
Solus Alternative Investments
Stoneway Capital Corporation
Syncora Guarantee
Trez Capital
UrtheCast Corp.
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Argonaut Gold Inc.
ATB Financial Services
ATCO Group
Bank of Montreal
BMO Capital Partners
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Canso Investment Counsel
Cenovus Energy Inc
Chorus Aviation
Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited
Obsidian Energy Ltd
Parkland Fuel Corporation
Third Eye Capital
Stantec In.
Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Canso Investment Counsel
Cresco Labs
CU Inc.
Encana Corporation
Katanga Mining Limited
Killam Apartment REIT
Osisko Mining
Osisko Gold Royalties
Parkland Fuel Corporation
Waste Connections, Inc.
Stantec In.
Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada
CMG Partners Inc.
RBC Capital Markets
Royal Bank of Canada
True Wind Capital
Waterton Global Resource Management
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
ATCO Group
Business Council of British Columbia
Pembina Pipelines
Capital Regional District
Encana Corporation
EOG Resources Canada Inc.
Global Container Terminals
Japan Canada Oil Sands Limited
Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Group
MEG Energy Corp.
Mining Association of British Columbia
Nexen Inc.
Nisga’a Lisms Government
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
Pacific Traverse Energy
Cedar LNG Partners LP
Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation
Williams Energy (Canada)
All Nations Cannabis
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Amgen Canada
Auro Pharma
Canadian Natural Resources
Enviro-Pro Geosynthetics
Autumn Paper (Alexander McQueen)
Square
Syncrude Canada
Tec Edmonton
Vaderstad Industries
Bottega Veneta
Prada
Canopy Growth
Tweed
Spectrum Canada
This Works
Tokyo Smoke
Champion Petfoods
Eci Software
Guccio Gucci
Ferrero Group
Beam Suntory
Kinnikinnick Foods
Novozymes
Blue Ant Media
Nate Hendley and James Lorimer and Company
Bayer
Canadian Utilities
Tru-wind Microdea
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
North West Redwater Partnership
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.Practice head(s):
Key clients
Alberta Forest Products Association/Alberta Softwood Lumber Trade Council
Alere Inc,
American Airlines
Apollo Global Management LLC
ATCO Group, including subsidiaries
Avenue Capital Group
BMO Financial Group
Brookfield Properties Corp.
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Inc.
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Chorus Aviation Inc.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL)
Coca-Cola
Columbia Pipeline Group
Denham Capital Management LP
DirectCash Payments
EFG Bank (Switzerland)
Ferrero SpA
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited
G&K Services, Inc.
Goldman Sachs
Government of Canada
Grant Thornton BVI
Guccio Gucci SpA
Honeywell International
Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems Ltd.
Katanga Mining Ltd.
Klondex Mines
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co.
Luxtona LLC
Novatex Limited / M/s Gatron Industries Limited (Gatranova) / M/s G-Pac Corporation
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.
Osisko Mining
Oxford Properties Group
Patterson-UTI Energy
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
Quality Cheese Inc.
Repsol S.A.
Rio Tinto Alcan
Riverstone Investment Group LLC
Schlumberger Limited
Sino-Forest Corporation
Steve Madden Canada
SunEdison Canada
Teva Canada
Time Warner
Total Energy Services Inc.
TriWest Capital Partners
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., Audi AG, Audi Canada Inc.
Walton Group of Companies
Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada and Wells Fargo Bank NA
Woodfibre LNG Ltd.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Utilities Limited/ATCO Group
Dayco Products/Dayco Canada
De Havilland Company of Canada
Bird Construction
Kissner Group Holdings/Stone Canyon Industries Holdings
Dye & Durham
Riverstone Holdings
Thermo Fisher Scientific
TriWest Capital Partners
Cenovus
A Parent Media Co
Japan Canada Oil Sands
Seasons Retirement
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Utilities/ATCO Group
Dayco Products/Dayco Canada
De Havilland Company of Canada
Bird Construction
Kissner Group Holdings/Stone Canyon Industries Holdings
Dye & Durham
Riverstone Holdings
Thermo Fisher Scientific
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Bowman; Jehad Haymour
Key clients
Apollo Global Management
ATCO Power / Canadian Utilities Limited
BP Canada Energy Group ULC
Canadian Pacific Railway
CBS Corporation
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Cresco Labs LLC
Devon Canada Corporation / Devon Canada Crude Marketing Corporation
ExxonMobil Canada Resources Company
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited
Osisko Gold Royalties
Premier Gold Mines Limited
Stone Canyon Industries
Third Eye Capital
Vale Canada Limited
Waste Connections Inc.
Zekelman Industries
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.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Clearpath Robotics
Blue Ant Media
Dye & Durham
SkyHive
Canadian Business Growth Fund – Appnovation
Xontogeny
Zerokey
Volkswagen Canada/Audi Canada
Pioneer Fund II
LendingArch Financial
Bennett Jones LLP > Firm Profile
Firm Overview
Bennett Jones is one of Canada’s premier business law firms and home to more than 400 lawyers and business advisors in nine Canadian and international offices — Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton,
Ottawa, Vancouver, New York, and a representative office in Beijing. The firm’s focus on deepening relationships with clients in key global business centres has enabled it to lead a wide range of complex cross-border and international transactions and litigation. As such, Bennett Jones is ideally suited to advise foreign businesses and investors with Canadian ventures and investments, and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities in the US, Asia, the Middle East, and around the world.
Firm Culture
Bennett Jones reflects the integrity and professional excellence of the firm’s Founding Partners. Over the years, the firm has produced some of Canada’s most accomplished legal and business leaders, fostering values that established it as one of Canada’s most successful business law firms. The firm prides itself on offering clients innovative, strategic and forward-thinking approaches to business, legal and regulatory challenges and opportunities. Mutual respect and independent thought are cornerstones of client and colleague interactions. Bennett Jones is proud to have been recognized for 17 consecutive years as one of Canada’s Best Employers.
Main Areas of Practice
Energy & Oil & Gas:
Contact: Vivek Warrier Tel: +403 298 3040
Email: warrierv@bennettjones.com
Contact: Shawn Munro Tel: +403 298 3481
Email: munros@bennettjones.com
Infrastructure & Projects:
Contact: Jason Roth Tel: +403 298 2070
Email: rothj@bennettjones.com
Mining:
Contact: Sander Grieve Tel: +416 777 4826
Email: grieves@bennettjones.com
Private Equity:
Contact: John Mercury Tel: +403 298 4493
Email: mercuryj@bennettjones.com
M&A:
Contact: Kris Hanc Tel: +416 777 7395
Email: hanck@bennettjones.com
Contact: John Piasta Tel: +403 298 3333
Email: piastaj@bennettjones.com
Litigation:
Contact: Richard Swan Tel: +416 777 7479
Email: swanr@bennettjones.com
Contact: Ken Lenz Tel: +403 298 3317
Email: lenzk@bennettjones.com
Banking & Finance:
Contact: Steve Lutz Tel: +416 777 5732
Email: lutzs@bennettjones.com
Contact: Pat Brennan Tel: +403 298 3433
Email: brennanp@bennettjones.com
Real Estate:
Contact: Jane Helmstadter Tel: +416 777 7470
Email: helmstadterj@bennettjones.com
Contact: Ron Barron Tel: +403 298 3491
Email: barronr@bennettjones.com
International Trade & Investment:
Contact: Darrel Pearson Tel: +416 777 4811
Email: pearsond@bennettjones.com
Restructuring & Insolvency:
Contact: Kevin Zych Tel: +416 777 5738
Email: zychk@bennettjones.com
Contact: Chris Simard Tel: +403 298 4485
Email: simardc@bennettjones.com
Competition/Antitrust:
Contact: Randal Hughes Tel: +416 777 7471
Email: hughesr@bennettjones.com
Contact: Melanie Aitken Tel: +202 204 0500
Email: aitkenm@bennettjones.com
Tax:
Contact: Darcy Moch Tel: +403 298 3390
Email: mochd@bennettjones.com
Contact: Thomas Bauer Tel: +416 777 6540
Email: bauert@bennettjones.com
Practice Areas
- Aboriginal Law
- Agribusiness
- Arbitration
- Banking & Finance
- Capital Markets & M&A
- Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Commercial Real Estate
- Competition, Anti-Trust & Foreign Investment
- Construction
- Corporate Commercial
- Employment Services
- Energy: Oil & Gas/Power & Renewable’s
- Environmental
- Fraud Law
- Government Affairs & Public Policy
- Health
- Information Technology & Data Security
- Infrastructure Projects
- Intellectual Property & IP Litigation
- International Trade
- Mining
- Private Equity
- Regulatory
- Restructuring & Insolvency
- Securities Litigation
- Structured Finance / Asset Securitization
- Tax
- Technology, Media & Entertainment
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vice Chair, Clients & Industries | John Mercury | mercuryj@bennettjones.com | 403 298 4493 |
| Industry Co-Leader, Energy and O&G | Vivek Warrier | warrierv@bennettjones.com | 403 298 3040 |
| Industry Co-Leader, Energy and O&G | Shawn Munro | munros@bennettjones.com | 403 298 3481 |
| Industry Leader, Funds & Finance | Claire Kennedy | kennedyc@bennettjones.com | 403 298 6150 |
| Industry Leader, Mining | Sander Grieve | grieves@bennettjones.com | 416 777 4826 |
| Industry Leader, Capital Projects | Jason Roth | rothj@bennettjones.com | 403 298 2070 |
| Department Head, Corporate | Brent Kraus | krausb@bennettjones.com | 403 298 3071 |
| Department Head, Corporate | Linda Misetich Dann | misetichdannl@bennettjones.com | 416 777 4636 |
| Department Head, Corporate | Jonathan McCullough | mcculloughj@bennettjones.com | 604 891 5306 |
| Department Head, Litigation | Richard Swan | swanr@bennettjones.com | 416 777 7479 |
| Department Head, Litigation | Kenneth Lenz | lenzs@bennettjones.com | 403 298 3317 |
| Department Head, Litigation | Stuart Hankinson | hankinsons@bennettjones.com | 604 891 5188 |
| Department Head, Regulatory | Brad Gilmour | gilmourb@bennettjones.com | 403 298 3382 |
| Department Head, Tax | Darcy Moch | mochd@bennettjones.com | 403 298 3390 |
| Department Head, Tax | Thomas Bauer | bauert@bennettjones.com | 416 777 6540 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ms Melanie Aitken | Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) | View Profile |
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Mr Abbas Ali Khan | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Thomas Bauer | Partner, Co-Head of Tax | View Profile |
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Mr Paul Blundy | Partner, Head of Public Infrastructure | View Profile |
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Mr Stephen Bowman | Toronto Managing Partner, Head of China Group | View Profile |
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Mr Patrick Brennan | Partner, Co-Head of Financial Services | View Profile |
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Mr Stephen Burns | Partner, Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding | View Profile |
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Mr Simon Crawford | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Carl Cunningham | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Emrys Davis | Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Karen Dawson | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Michael Eizenga | Partner, Head of Class Actions | View Profile |
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Ms Sarah Gilbert | Counsel | View Profile |
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Mr John Gilmore | Partner, Co-Head of Employment Services | View Profile |
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Mr Brad Gilmour | Partner, Head of Regulatory | View Profile |
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Mr Don Greenfield | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Sander Grieve | Partner, Head of Mining | View Profile |
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Mr Leonard Griffiths | Partner, Head of Environmental | View Profile |
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Ms Jane Helmstadter | Partner, Co-Head of Commercial Real Estate | View Profile |
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Mr Randal Hughes | Partner, Co-Chair of Competition, Antitrust and Foreign Investment | View Profile |
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Ms Dominique Hussey | Partner, Trademark Agent, Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding | View Profile |
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Mr Adam Kalbfleisch | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Martin Kratz | Partner, Head of Intellectual Property | View Profile |
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Mr Kenneth Lenz | Partner, Co-Head of Litigation | View Profile |
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Mr Jeffrey Leon | Partner, Co-Head of Litigation | View Profile |
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Mr Steven Lutz | Partner, Co-Head of Financial Services | View Profile |
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Mr Hugh MacKinnon | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | View Profile |
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Mr Michael Mysak | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Darrel Pearson | Partner, Head of International Trade | View Profile |
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Mr Kieran Ryan | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Aaron Sonshine | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr David Spencer | Partner | View Profile |
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Perry Spitznagel | Vice-Chairman and Calgary Managing Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Robert Staley | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr George Vlavianos | Managing Partner, Doha | View Profile |
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Mr Vivek Warrier | Partner, Co-Head of Energy & Oil & Gas Industry Team | View Profile |
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Mr Wayne Whitlock | Partner, Co-Head of Commercial Real Estate | View Profile |
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Mr Blair Yorke-Slader | Vice-Chairman, Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Sean Zweig | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Kevin Zych | Partner, Co-Head of Restructuring + Insolvency | View Profile |
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Mr John van Gent | Partner | View Profile |
Languages
English French Chinese HindiMemberships
IBA (International Bar Association) ABA (American Bar Association) Interlex Group Pacific Rim Advisory Council (PRAC)Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Competition and antitrust
- Corporate and M&A
- Infrastructure projects
- International trade
- Mining
- Power
- Real estate and construction
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Banking and finance
- Capital markets
- Indigenous law
- Intellectual property
- International expertise
- Labour and employment
- Pensions
- Tax
- Technology