Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has a premier tax practice which stands out for its expertise in handling high-profile M&As. The team is well-versed in assisting clients with tax advice for domestic, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions and reorganizations. The team also has expertise in transfer pricing issues which has become an increasing area of focus for the firm. Paul Stepak leads the tax group from Toronto and is sought out for his knowledge on US and foreign private equity investments in Canada. Co-head Jeffrey Shafer, Mark Tonkovich and Pooja Mihailovich all co-lead the Toronto practice alongside Stepak. Shafer is the go-to partner for transfer pricing issues, while Tonkovich is an expert in tax disputes and tax controversies. Mihailovich joined the firm in 2025 following her departure from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and specializes in tax disputes and litigation. Outside of Toronto, Dan Jankovic practices corporate income tax law from Calgary.
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Key clients
- Advent International
- BCE
- HPS Investment Partners
- AstraZeneca
- Professional Women’s Hockey League
- Red Lobster Management
- TC Energy
- Suncor Energy
- Cleveland-Cliffs
- Clear Sky Capital
- Plazacorp Willowgrove Residential Real Estate Development Trust
- OMERS
Work highlights
Advised Advent International on its $6.3bn take-private acquisition of Canadian fintech payment platform Nuvei Corporation.
Advised TC Energy Corporation on its tax-deferred spinoff of its liquids pipelines business into South Bow Corporation.
Represented Redpath Sugar in its transfer pricing recharacterization litigation before the Tax Court of Canada.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Dan Jankovic
Practice head
Paul Stepak; Pooja Mihailovich; Mark Tonkovich; Jeffrey Shafer
Other key lawyers
Dan Jankovic; Andrew Spiro