Bennett Jones LLP > Toronto, Canada > Firm Profile

Bennett Jones LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Canada > Cannabis Tier 1

The sizeable team at Bennett Jones LLP advises all players within the cannabis value chain, such as operators and investors. In addition, the team is well-equipped to advise underwriters and entities in adjoining industries such as consumer goods and often oversees cross-border matters in cannabis related M&A, licences, commercial agreements and corporate finances. Aaron Sonshine is the go-to contact for corporate and securities law issues while Dominique Hussey is well regarded for her IP litigation expertise; they jointly lead the practice which was recently bolstered by the promotion of Melissa Dimilta to partner in March 2021, and the arrival of Kim Lawton from Dentons. Dimilta is often sought by clients to oversee the advertisement, labelling and packaging of cannabis.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Alberta Tier 1

At Bennett Jones LLP, the Ontario team is famed for its prowess in restructuring, fraud, class-action, insolvency, energy, mining, technology and M&A disputes, often acting on proceedings with a cross-border element. Richard Swan leads the local offering, having appeared before all levels of the Ontario and Federal Courts, and serves as a go-to name for disputes within the corporate, commercial and public law fields; he is supported by commercial litigation and class proceedings specialist, Michael Eizenga , who counts product liability, securities, competition, privacy and data breach cases among his core strengths, as well as Robert Staley , an authority in disputes pertaining to take-over and control bids. Over in Alberta, the team is well-regarded for its capacity within the mining, energy, technology and constructing sectors and is headed by Kenneth Lenz KC. The office is also home to Blair Yorke-Slader KC, a household name for contract, shareholder, securities and trust disputes, in addition to Munaf Mohamed KC who serves as co-lead of the firm’s economic and financial crimes department. At the more junior-end of the partnership spectrum, Michael Mysak  leverages a track record in precedent-setting fraud recovery case meanwhile Laura Gill is routinely involved in energy-related disputes, particularly those pertaining to royalties, ownership stakes and industry agreements. As for the Vancouver offering, David Gruber oversees a team with significant real estate, construction, pharmaceutical, transport, oil and gas, retail and hospitality capabilities, which often operates in collaboration with the firm’s other offices on matters of national significance.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 1

Few firms can equal Bennett Jones LLP‘s breadth and depth of experience in the oil and gas sphere. Equally adept at transactional and regulatory matters, the group enjoys close links with both private and public sector clients involved in the full range of upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas projects. The firm’s deep bench is led nationally by Shawn Munro, who has a focus on the regulatory and environmental aspects of oil and gas matters, and Vivek Warrier, who specializes in energy transactions. Warrier recently advised Heritage Royalty on the C$728m sale of certain Western Canadian royalty assets to PrairieSky Royalty. Among the other senior names to note, Calgary managing partner Patrick Maguire is recognized for his expertise in commercial transactions, while Brad Gilmour , Loyola Keough and Lawrence Smith KC are seasoned regulatory counsel. Luke Morrison is a thriving up-and-coming transactional specialist. Donald Greenfield recently retired. All named lawyers are based in Calgary.

Canada > Environment Tier 1

The full-service practice at Bennett Jones LLP typically advises clients within the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors. The team is particularly noted for its breadth of knowledge in the import and export of dangerous goods and hazardous materials. Clients also benefit from the practices’ national presence which enables the team to oversee far-reaching environmental-related matters such as project development, M&A, insolvencies and financing transactions. The team is also well-equipped to oversee environmental regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments and environmental law enforcement under both federal and provincial laws and is led by Leonard Griffiths, Radha Curpen and Brad Gilmour. Griffiths often advises on environmental management systems, Curpen is noted for her vast expertise on the handling of hazardous materials, while Gilmour’s focus lies within litigation, having represented clients before the Provincial Court of Alberta. Sarah Gilbert is the practices’ go-to name for all environmental and health and safety matters.

Transport > Aviation Tier 1

The long-standing practice at Bennett Jones LLP is well-equipped to advise clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team often advises Canadian airlines and service providers on financing and leasing matters, the purchase and sale of aircraft and debt restructuring matters. In addition, infrastructure consortiums often rely on the team for its fuel facilities and project development expertise. The handling of long-term technical-logistical contract issues arising from engine and retable parts programs also forms part of the team’s core strengths, while contentious expertise includes cases concerning maintenance standards and aircraft crashes. Patrick Brennan leads the practice from the Calgary office and his practice focus lies within aircraft acquisition, dispositions and financings. Noriko Shimura is a key contact for aircraft leasing and financing transactions.

Canada > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP‘s practice enjoys a broad breadth of merger review and competition litigation experience. The practice is also renowned for having competition law capabilities in a Washington, DC; this cross-border coverage enables the team to advise US and international clients on the challenges they face in Canada. The team is led by both Melanie Aitken and Randal Hughes. Aitken’s expertise includes foreign investment, while Hughes’ expertise includes international mergers and acquisitions. John Rook is noted for his commercial litigation skills, which he utilizes to support the practice. Adam Kalbfleisch oversees regulatory matters, and Emrys Davis is equipped to handle criminal and civil investigations. Zirjan Derwa joined the team from Torys.

Canada > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP is a six-office firm with teams in Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and New York; its team excels in both M&A and private equity deals, including contested transactions, and is bolstered by the firm’s wider proficiency in restructuring, insolvency, antitrust and competition. In Calgary, Patrick Maguire KC is a leading name for energy-related deals meanwhile Perry Spitznagel KC has forged an enviable reputation for mergers and financings throughout Canada and the wider North American region; the pair are also based alongside John Mercury who leads the private equity practice and is particularly active within the energy, financial services, consumer products and manufacturing sectors. At the more junior end of the partnership spectrum, Toronto-based Kristopher Hanc is acclaimed for his knowledge of proxy contests, public offering and private placements with Christian Gauthier, a Vancouver lawyer, is extensively well-versed in LBOs, MBOs and IPOs, in addition to corporate governance and securities law. Curtis Cusinato, a market veteran of over 25 years, serves as vice chair in Toronto and is well-versed in a number of deal types, including SPACs and PIPES.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Ontario Tier 2

At Bennett Jones LLP, the Ontario team is famed for its prowess in restructuring, fraud, class-action, insolvency, energy, mining, technology and M&A disputes, often acting on proceedings with a cross-border element. Richard Swan leads the local offering, having appeared before all levels of the Ontario and Federal Courts, and serves as a go-to name for disputes within the corporate, commercial and public law fields; he is supported by commercial litigation and class proceedings specialist, Michael Eizenga , who counts product liability, securities, competition, privacy and data breach cases among his core strengths, as well as Robert Staley , an authority in disputes pertaining to take-over and control bids. Over in Alberta, the team is well-regarded for its capacity within the mining, energy, technology and constructing sectors and is headed by Kenneth Lenz KC. The office is also home to Blair Yorke-Slader KC, a household name for contract, shareholder, securities and trust disputes, in addition to Munaf Mohamed KC who serves as co-lead of the firm’s economic and financial crimes department. At the more junior-end of the partnership spectrum, Michael Mysak  leverages a track record in precedent-setting fraud recovery case meanwhile Laura Gill is routinely involved in energy-related disputes, particularly those pertaining to royalties, ownership stakes and industry agreements. As for the Vancouver offering, David Gruber oversees a team with significant real estate, construction, pharmaceutical, transport, oil and gas, retail and hospitality capabilities, which often operates in collaboration with the firm’s other offices on matters of national significance.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP‘s mining practice routinely represents Canadian and international mining companies, investment banks and investors on mining work. Primarily active on the corporate finance and M&A fronts, the team also houses significant capability in exploration and development agreements, mine permitting and environmental compliance. Group head Sander Grieve covers the waterfront on mining matters, with an emphasis on public market finance and M&A. Other recommended names are Abbas Ali Khan, who also has a strong transactional focus, corporate co-head Linda Misetich Dann and corporate, commercial and securities lawyer James Clare. The team was recently boosted by the arrivals of mining-focused corporate finance and M&A partner Marshall Eidinger (January 2022) and cross-border mining specialist Steven Bennett (June 2022), both joined from Stikeman Elliott LLP. All named practitioners are based in Toronto.

Energy and natural resources > Power Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP houses a well-rounded Calgary-based power practice, which strikes a balance between transactional and regulatory work. The firm’s relationship with trophy client ATCO Group is a key source of mandates and the team recently advised ATCO Energy Solutions on its joint venture with Future Fuel for the development of the Hairy Hill Renewable Natural Gas Project. M&A and projects specialist David Macaulay is the key contact for the Hairy Hill project work and co-chairs the department together with fellow transactional partner Thomas McInerney and Deirdre Sheehan, who has a focus on regulated utilities. Loyola Keough is also noted for his broad regulatory practice, which spans all energy spheres.

Canada > Infrastructure projects Tier 2

Widely recognized for its record in energy and natural resources infrastructure, Bennett Jones LLP‘s capital projects group also handles a significant volume of work in the healthcare, road and rail spheres. Calgary-based Jason Roth chairs the department and advises owners, developers and contractors on an array of procurement and construction matters. In Vancouver, David Little is highly recommended for his broad infrastructure focus, including procurement and PPP, while Charlene Hiller acts on a mix of construction, procurement and environmental law matters.

Canada > International trade Tier 2

With a well-established record in the international trade arena, Bennett Jones LLP possesses extensive experience across an array of customs trade compliance matters, trade remedies, investment treaty-related issues and economic sanctions and export controls. Group head Darrel Pearson is a 40-year trade veteran and retains a thriving practice; he is acting alongside up-and-coming partner George Reid to represent Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems in administrative and judicial reviews related to special tariffs imposed on importations of large power transformers from the Republic of Korea. Other recommended names include Sabrina Bandali, who handled several complex disputes over the past year, senior counsel Valerie Hughes and Jessica Horwitz.

Canada > Real estate Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP’s team is geared to handle matters of national and international significance, including cross-border mandates and sizeable portfolio deals, and is also well-versed in developments, transactions, leasing and financings, in addition to the real estate aspects of M&A. The group is co-led nationally by Jane Helmstadter , Ron Barron, Robert Bothwell and Larry Sandrin, a specialist in government approval processes for major development and infrastructure projects. Simon Crawford  is among the standout names within the Ontario market and is often active at retail, sports, entertainment and residential sites, as is Paul Mantini  who leverages a track record of having handled the development and financing components at some of Canada’s most iconic sites. John van Gent  provides the group with formidable financing and work-out transaction capabilities, including syndicated and secured lending, meanwhile, Calgary-based Alixe Cameron delivers distinct expertise in condominium, industrial and farm assets.

Canada > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Bennett Jones LLP‘s team advises clients on the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency matters and leverages a multidisciplinary approach, whereby it pools together expertise from the firm’s litigation, securities law, corporate and M&A practices. Particular focus lies within the restructuring of energy and natural resource companies. The team is headed by both Kevin Zych and Christopher Simard. Zych’s expertise encompasses private loan workouts and CCAA and CBCA restructurings whereas Simard is well-known for his representation of creditors, debtors and court-appointed monitors.

Canada > Tax Tier 2

Among Bennett Jones LLP‘s key attributes, the tax team demonstrates strength in cross-border transactions and energy and natural resources-related work. In terms of the former, it is distinguished by its ability to team up with its New York office to advise on multi-jurisdictional matters. Names to note include Calgary-based partner Darcy Moch, who is sought after for his extensive transactional tax experience, with notable expertise in M&A, corporate reorganizations and cross-border financings. On the contentious side, the group draws on the experience of tax litigation head Edwin Kroft KC, who splits his time between Vancouver and Toronto, and Calgary-based Jehad Haymour. The national group is led jointly by Toronto-based Thomas Bauer, whose practice takes in both contentious and non-contentious tax, and Calgary-based tax planning specialist Anu Nijhawan.

Canada > Banking and finance Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP is recognized for its strength in infrastructure, and energy and natural resources-related financings, acting for both borrowers and lenders. It also shines in representing alternative lenders, including private equity clients and hedge fund debt investors. In a recent highlight, Toronto-based Mark Rasile advised the lead arrangers and syndicate on the amendment and restatement of Cameco Corp’s C$1bn syndicated revolving credit facility. Toronto’s Steve Lutz co-heads the national practice alongside Calgary-based aviation finance expert Patrick Brennan. The group also includes the increasingly prominent Karen Dawson in Calgary, while regulatory specialist John Teolis and cannabis sector specialist David Rotchtin are noted in Toronto.

Canada > Capital markets Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP’s robust issuer-focused practice continues to shine in energy and natural resources-related matters, while also building its profile in the infrastructure, technology and cannabis spheres. In a key example of its industry sweet spot, Calgary-based department co-head John Piasta advised Gibson Energy on filing a final short form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulators in each province of Canada to renew its C$3bn base shelf prospectus. Toronto-based Kristopher Hanc co-heads a group that also includes trading and derivatives lead Mark Powell, corporate co-head Brent Kraus and Harinder Basra, who has a focus on the upstream oil and gas segment; all three partners are in Calgary.

Canada > Construction Tier 3

Particularly reputed within the Western Canadian market, Bennett Jones LLP is geared to support on the contractual, litigious, project governance, risk mitigation, front-end engineering and procurement aspects of major projects. Jason Roth leads the practice from Calgary, operating alongside John Craig KC, a specialist in domestic and multinational arbitration, litigation and mediation. Brian Reid is especially knowledgeable of the energy sector, combining disputes prowess with expertise in tender documents, joint venture contracts and construction agreements.

Canada > Dispute resolution: British Columbia Tier 3

At Bennett Jones LLP, the Ontario team is famed for its prowess in restructuring, fraud, class-action, insolvency, energy, mining, technology and M&A disputes, often acting on proceedings with a cross-border element. Richard Swan leads the local offering, having appeared before all levels of the Ontario and Federal Courts, and serves as a go-to name for disputes within the corporate, commercial and public law fields; he is supported by commercial litigation and class proceedings specialist, Michael Eizenga , who counts product liability, securities, competition, privacy and data breach cases among his core strengths, as well as Robert Staley , an authority in disputes pertaining to take-over and control bids. Over in Alberta, the team is well-regarded for its capacity within the mining, energy, technology and constructing sectors and is headed by Kenneth Lenz KC. The office is also home to Blair Yorke-Slader KC, a household name for contract, shareholder, securities and trust disputes, in addition to Munaf Mohamed KC who serves as co-lead of the firm’s economic and financial crimes department. At the more junior-end of the partnership spectrum, Michael Mysak  leverages a track record in precedent-setting fraud recovery case meanwhile Laura Gill is routinely involved in energy-related disputes, particularly those pertaining to royalties, ownership stakes and industry agreements. As for the Vancouver offering, David Gruber oversees a team with significant real estate, construction, pharmaceutical, transport, oil and gas, retail and hospitality capabilities, which often operates in collaboration with the firm’s other offices on matters of national significance.

Canada > Indigenous law Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP handles a broad scope of Indigenous related matters, with particular focus on the accommodation of communities’ interests concerning development projects, transactions and commercial agreements. The team is also skilled in advising communities on governance and Aboriginal rights-related matters. Sharon Singh and David Bursey are based in Vancouver, while Deirdre Sheehan is in Calgary, the trio jointly co-head the practice. Radha Curpen is another key contact.

Canada > Intellectual property Tier 3

The team at Bennett Jones LLP counts prosecution, litigation, advisory and transactional work as the four keystones of its practice. Stephen Burns serves as a go-to for the IP elements of significant energy and infrastructure projects and transactions whereas Dominique Hussey  is a key port of call for patent and trademark disputes within the pharma, biotech and energy sectors. Partner Jeilah Chan departed in June 2023.

Canada > International expertise Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP‘s international expertise stands out for its regulatory dimension. Specifically, its Washington DC office is recognized for its ability to advise on the Canadian aspects of competition and international trade matters, under the leadership of former Competition Commissioner Melanie Aitken. The firm is also well-equipped to handle cross-border corporate deals, with New York office head Gordon Cameron noted for his support on private equity transactions, M&A, securities offerings and other multi-jurisdictional matters. Aside from the US, the firm has also recently advised on work involving countries in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Canada > Labour and employment Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP strikes a balance between transaction-support work and contentious matters. In terms of the former, the team is noted for its experience in advising infrastructure and energy clients on the labour and employment aspects of M&A deals. On the contentious front, the group handles a significant volume of complex litigation and arbitration cases. Calgary-based John Gilmore is well versed in advisory, contentious and transactional matters and co-heads the department alongside Toronto’s Carl Cunningham. Toronto-based pensions and benefits specialist Susan Seller and Calgary-based up-and-coming partner Christine Plante are also recommended.

Canada > Pensions Tier 3

The pension and benefits advice provided by the team at Bennett Jones LLP forms an essential component of its broad employment practice. Clients involved in complex M&A transactions often seek the team's expertise to handle related pension and benefits issues that consequently arise. Design, administration, establishment and investment of both registered and non-registered pension plans also forms key elements of the group's expertise. Susan Seller , John Gilmore  and Carl Cunningham  co-lead the employment services practice; all are based in Toronto.

Canada > Technology Tier 3

Bennett Jones LLP integrates its technology team with its commercial group to seamlessly advise clients on all related matters. The team has a breadth of experience in licensing matters concerning IT procurement and contracting and often advises clients within telecommunication, retail, financial, utilities and energy industries. Stephen Burns leads the practice, boasting expertise in technology transfers, data privacy and cybersecurity. Sébastien Gittens oversees IP negotiations in M&A matters