Dentons’ banking and finance group ‘comes to the table with smart, executable ideas’, according to clients. Distinguished by its extensive global platform, the team is noted for its record in cross-border — particularly US-related — financings. The national department is co-led by Toronto-based Ryan Middleton, who continues to develop a robust lender-side practice; and Edmonton’s Robert de Guzman, whose work intersects banking and corporate matters. Other recommended practitioners in Toronto include financial institutions head Heidi Clark, Toronto banking lead Michael Henriques, Radha Khosla, Dennis Wiebe and senior associate Simone Nash. In Montreal, the group further draws on local department head Joel Cabelli and Marie-Josée Couture.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I work with many groups within Dentons. The service from the Canadian team has been excellent, led by a hands-on relationship partner. The firm’s Canadian service is exceptional, led by Michael Henriques, Jay Choi, and Simone Nash — all of whom provide excellent advice and sound risk-based rationales.’
‘The firm brings strong calibre legal teams and deep knowledge in project finance. Lawyers take a commercial balanced view on transactions to keep things moving. Heidi Clark is an excellent lawyer who understands issues very well. Strives to find common ground for both parties.’
‘Dentons is our primary outside counsel on everything from financing deals, including US work, to distribution and production deals, and corporate and tax issues. Lawyers are very professional, responsive, turn documents in a timely matter, are up to date, keep business context in mind and bill fairly.’
‘The team understands complex matters quickly, sees around corners, and comes to the table with smart, executable ideas. In the last year alone, it has worked on several challenging structures. It is reliable, sharp, and doesn't waste time. When something needs moving, Dentons is the first call I make.’
‘Working with Ryan Middleton is like having a senior partner inside the bank. He understands our clients and deals instinctively, knows when to push and when to pivot, and consistently shows up with well-timed solutions, not just generic ideas. His commitment to getting deals done has made him our go-to.’
‘Our experience with Dentons has been consistently exceptional. The firm is composed of high-skilled professionals able to tackle complex transactions and provide great legal advice. Ryan Middleton exemplifies professionalism and expertise. He is knowledgeable, incredibly approachable and collaborative.’
‘Heidi Clark's communication skills are fantastic, and her prioritization skills were evident to see. Not only was she prioritizing on my end, but also guiding me on which files and documents she needed feedback or review on. This level of service is very rare to find.’
‘The team is dedicated, professional and puts clients first. I enjoy our working relationship as the team demonstrates high standards of excellence, is extremely available to clients, communicates complex concepts in simple and digestible ways and is flexible in many ways.’
'The team get deals done. They understand complex deals quickly, see around corners, and come to the table with smart, executable ideas.'
'The team is easy to work with an able to clearly articulate key risks and potential mitigants during transactions.'
Key clients
- Ligado Networks
- National Bank of Canada
Work highlights
Advised Ligado Networks on the restructuring of approximately $8.6bn in funded debt and multiple financings in 2024.
Advised a Canada-based financial services client on a receivables purchase transaction.
Advised National Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, on syndicated facilities to support Knight Therapeutics’ $107m acquisition of Paladin Pharma.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Simone Nash
Practice head
Ryan Middleton; Robert de Guzman
Other key lawyers
Heidi Clark; Michael Henriques; Radha Khosla; Dennis Wiebe; Simone Nash; Joel Cabelli; Marie-Josée Couture; Jay Choi