John R. Sandrelli > Dentons > Vancouver, Canada > Lawyer Profile
Dentons Offices

250 HOWE STREET, 20TH FLOOR
VANCOUVER, BC V6C 3R8
Canada
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John R. Sandrelli

Work Department
Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Position
Partner
Career
John is an accomplished business leader who is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s leading lawyers in restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy matters. Born and raised in western Canada, he has been involved in almost every recent major restructuring and insolvency case in British Columbia and has acted for clients across every industry including cannabis, mining, forestry, real estate, aviation, energy, retail, media, technology, and manufacturing.
John acts regularly for companies in need of restructuring as well as for trustees, receivers, financial institutions, commercial lenders, noteholders and other creditors. His extensive experience extends to restructurings under both the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Actand the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. He has been involved in real estate, technology, forestry and mining industry matters and had conducted substantial cross-border work that has provided him with a clear understanding of the United States Bankruptcy Code. John regularly advises global companies on lending and remedy issues in Canada and is frequently retained by other international law firms for his insight on Canadian bankruptcy issues.
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in October 2018, John has developed a particular niche in this area. He is considered one of the province’s authorities on the insolvency and bankruptcy issues arising in the developing legal cannabis industry.
A natural leader who takes a refreshing approach to his work cementing solid relationships through superior service and an in-depth knowledge of his clients, John will confidently take on complex mandates and provide innovative solutions with integrity and alacrity.
John is a former member of the Canada Region Board and served on Dentons’ Advisory Board of the Asia Pacific Region and Global Advisory Committee. Under John’s tenure, Dentons’ Vancouver office has solidified its reputation as Vancouver’s true global law firm. It has been recognized repeatedly as one of B.C.’s Top Employers attracting and retaining talented, vibrant and diverse individuals who thrive in a non-hierarchical culture deeply connected to the local community.
Languages
English
Memberships
- Board Member, Insolvency Institute of Canada
- Board Member, Risk Management Association
- Member, Law Society of British Columbia, 1997 to present
- Member, Law Society of Upper Canada, 1991 to present
- Member, International Bar Association, Section of Insolvency, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights
- Member, The American Bankruptcy Institute
- Member, Editorial Board of the National Creditor Debtor Review
- Member, The Turnaround Management Association
- Past Executive of the Insolvency Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch
- Member, The Leaders Network/MacKay CEO Forums
Education
University of Toronto, 1989, LLB
Lawyer Rankings
Canada > Restructuring and insolvency
(Leading partners)The practice group at Dentons regularly represents secured and unsecured creditors, accountancy firms, trustees and corporations in the energy, mining, tech, hospitality and real estate segments in insolvency proceedings. The department is co-directed by Toronto-based Robert Kennedy, who has substantial expertise in receivership and bankruptcy proceedings, creditor rights and enforcement, and out of court restructurings and work-outs. Alongside him, Vancouver-based John Sandrelli has particular experience in the cannabis sector. Ex-practice practice co-head David W Mann left the firm in October 2023.
Lawyer Rankings
Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Transport > Aviation
- Business immigration
- Construction
- International trade
- Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas
- Public procurement
- Telecoms
- Cannabis
- Capital markets
- Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution: Alberta
- Dispute resolution: Ontario
- Dispute resolution: Quebec
- Environment
- Indigenous law
- Insurance
- Labour and employment
- Energy and natural resources > Mining
- Transport > Other transport
- Pensions
- Energy and natural resources > Power
- Real estate
- Banking and finance
- Competition and antitrust
- Dispute resolution: British Columbia
- Infrastructure projects
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Tax
- Technology