Blair Keefe > Torys > Toronto, Canada > Lawyer Profile

Lawyers at Torys ‘find business solutions to legal problems’, according to clients. Combining a prominent transactional offering with one of the market’s leading regulatory practices, it impresses with its ability to cover the waterfront on banking and finance issues. The regulatory group had a banner year during 2023/24, which saw high-profile financial institutions expert, Blair Keefe, acting alongside banking and debt finance co-head, Amanda Balasubramanian, to advise Bank of Montreal on its acquisition of the ‘AIR MILES’ reward business of LoyaltyOne, among other marquee bank M&A deals. Additional regulatory specialists include Jill McCutcheon, who co-heads the regulatory practice alongside Keefe; fintech-focused senior counsel Brigitte Goulard; Peter Aziz, who co-chairs the payments area; and next-generation partner Eli Monas. Key transactional partners include the already mentioned Balasubramanian; Adam Delean, who contributes extensive experience in advising borrowers and lenders; Calgary-based Kevin Fougere, who is recommended for corporate lending and project finance; Tom Zverina, who maintains a broad debt finance practice; and Calgary-based senior associate Tyrel Henderson. Named lawyers are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.

According to satisfied clients, the insurance team at Torys draws on ‘some of the best experts in financial services corporate and litigation work in the country’. The practice is particularly dominant on the corporate and regulatory front, where it is a popular choice to advise insurance corporations on high-profile M&A deals, joint ventures and other highly regulated transactions and compliance matters. Financial services expert Blair Keefe co-heads the insurance regulatory practice and is a first port of call for insurance companies undertaking corporate transactions. Other advisory specialists include Jill McCutcheon; senior counsel Kelly Morris; and Melissa Prado, who was recently promoted to partner. Litigation and dispute resolution chair Linda Plumpton is the key contact for contentious insurance work and contributes significant experience in precedent-setting regulatory and coverage disputes. Litigator David Outerbridge is also noted for insurance disputes, including product liability claims, environmental claims and class actions. Named lawyers are based in Toronto.