Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence

Canada Guide 2027 : Ontario

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Corporate/Commercial: The Elite in Ontario

Corporate and commercial law is the core of our Firm’s practice. Blakes has a very distinguished Corporate & Commercial practice in Ontario.  We support clients at all stages in their lifecycle, ranging from start-ups and growth-stage companies to some of Canada’s largest corporations. We advise on structuring, corporate governance, reorganizations and transactions of all kinds, as well as complex commercial agreements and transformative joint venture initiatives.

Our team also includes specialists with experience and insight into every key industry sector in Canada. We promote cross-office collaboration and foster a multidisciplinary approach to ensure that we understand our clients’ multifaceted operations and tailor our legal advice to align with their business objectives. Our team regularly works alongside U.S. and international law firms and advisers, assisting clients with complex legal issues that are specific to Canadian operations or international in scope and extend into Canada.

The Blakes team has been involved in many of the most important and legally challenging business transactions in Canadian history, and we strive to be trusted advisors as our clients grow and change the landscape of the Canadian market.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence - Ontario

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a strong choice for corporate and commercial work in Ontario, as well as nationwide. The Toronto corporate practice has a robust private M&A component, coupled with an acclaimed securities offering and substantial experience in joint venture transactions, as well as a wide variety of strategic commercial agreements. The firm also demonstrates expertise in advising on inbound and outbound investments. It is particularly active in the financial services sector, as well as advising on work in various other industries including infrastructure, automotive, retail and real estate. The lawyers are active on high-end, cross-border deals, as well as in the corporate mid-market. The firm also advises companies, boards and shareholders on shareholder activism and takeover defence matters.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised Mubadala Capital on its CAD4.7 billion acquisition of CI Financial.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes is a sophisticated firm in terms of breadth of expertise, and the firm's commercial team is extremely deep. Blakes is a responsive, practical and effective team.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • Blakes is very commercial, excellent at communicating risks in a way that allows business decisions to be made and adept at managing difficult or demanding personalities.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • The Blakes team are trusted advisers, absolute experts in their space, and commercial and proactive in their thinking.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • Blakes provides a deep commitment to client service, an understanding of complex business issues and operations, and the ability to incorporate that understanding into solid legal advice.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • What stood out was Blakes' innovation and creativity. The team's collaborative approach was strong and the client management was excellent.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Geoffrey Belsher
    Geoffrey Belsher

    Geoffrey Belsher

    Toronto-based Geoffrey Belsher advises multinational corporations and Canadian clients on cross-border M&A transactions.
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  • Alex Moore
    Alex Moore

    Alex Moore

    Toronto-based Alex Moore is a highly skilled lawyer who acts on a range of corporate and capital markets transactions, with a particular emphasis on the financial services sector.

    • Alex Moore is knowledgeable, responsive and thoughtful. He is a pleasure to work with.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex Moore provides a high level of service with excellent knowledge of market practice and strong commercial awareness.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex Moore is a very experienced, knowledgeable and balanced adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex is a star and a go-to adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex is the best at coming up with practical solutions to solve legal issues.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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  • Michael I Gans
    Michael I Gans

    Michael I Gans

    Michael Gans is based in Toronto and has experience handling domestic M&A transactions, as well as transactions with international components.

    • Michael demonstrates the technical knowledge and commercial judgement to handle the highest-profile global matters.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Mike is fantastic.
      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Michael provides outstanding advice and support, and his deep experience in corporate/M&A in Canada is unmatched.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Michael Gans is very well regarded, does a lot of great work and is an excellent practitioner.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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  • Shlomi Feiner
    Shlomi Feiner

    Shlomi Feiner

    Shlomi Feiner is an experienced Toronto-based lawyer noted for his work representing clients in complex corporate transactions.

    • Shlomi is well recognised and respected.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Shlomi Feiner is very responsive and gives timely advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Shlomi is extremely experienced and sophisticated, and is a zealous advocate.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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  • David Kruse
    David Kruse

    David Kruse

    David Kruse is a highly experienced corporate lawyer with a strong pedigree in handling M&A and capital markets work.

    • David is excellent at client relations and at meeting the needs of his clients.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • David is a phenomenally smart, keen and thoughtful lawyer.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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  • Rory ffrench
    Rory ffrench

    Rory ffrench

    Rory ffrench acts as co-leader of the firm's corporate and commercial group, where he is well placed to advise on corporate sales and acquisitions as well as business combinations.

    • Rory provides outstanding service, quality of advice and commercial awareness.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Rory's commercial awareness is second to none and he is a go-to in sticky situations.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Rory is a great partner.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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  • Jacob Gofman
    Jacob Gofman

    Jacob Gofman

    Jacob Gofman handles a broad array of M&A and capital markets work, as well as advising corporates and boards on governance and securities law issues.

    • Jacob is practical, intelligent and creative. He is a trusted adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Jacob provides excellent advice on complex matters in a way that is effective, responsive and practical. He is a trusted adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Jacob is an excellent lawyer and a true partner to our business. He always cuts to the heart of the matter at hand to provide sophisticated, pragmatic counsel.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (8)

Ontario

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