About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blakes is a recognized leader in the insurance industry, representing major domestic and foreign insurance companies and insurance distributors, as well as foreign and offshore reinsurers globally. Blakes preeminent M&A expertise includes the insurance sector where we advise on all aspects of sale and purchase transactions. Having the largest and most active Financial Services Regulatory practice in Canada, better enables us to effectively advise on current regulatory frameworks and any draft legislation and regulatory practices that may affect our clients. We regularly represent parties before the federal Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and provincial regulators.

Our lawyers are well equipped to provide sophisticated legal advice on all aspects of insurance business, operations, structure, investments, acquisitions, corporate governance and risk management. We are particularly skilled at advising on financings, restructurings, onshore and offshore reinsurance arrangements and related trusts, and pension de-risking transactions. We are the leading Canadian counsel on pension de-risking transactions, including advising a reinsurer involved in Canada’s first longevity insurance transaction.

When disputes arise, the Blakes Litigation & Dispute Resolution team represents both insurers and insureds at all court levels and before administrative tribunals and government commissions, routinely prosecuting and defending specialized insurance claims.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Dispute Resolution - Nationwide - Canada

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is one of the leading insurance and reinsurance practices in Canada. It has extensive transactional and regulatory capabilities, as well as the ability to advise on big-ticket litigation. The firm supports clients across Canada in coverage disputes, indemnity claims and product liability litigation, and is additionally recognised for its experience defending insurers in class action litigation. On the transactional side the team represents clients in M&A and financing matters, as well as in cross-border insurance arrangements, reinsurance programmes, pensions de-risking and demutualisation transactions.

Work Highlights

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon represented Ovivo in connection with a CAD17 million action against its liability insurer, American International Group.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Bonny Murray
2
Bonny Murray
2
Band 2

Based out of Toronto, Bonny Murray is a respected insurance lawyer noted for her regulatory expertise. She is particularly known for her work in the financial services industry.

Bonny is dedicated and a key partner. She gets the environment and is very proactive.

Bonny has always provided very reasonable and practical advice.

Bonny Murray is knowledgeable and responsive.

David V Tupper
2
David V Tupper
2
Band 2
Based in the firm's Calgary office, David Tupper is an experienced commercial litigator who represents an impressive roster of industry-leading insurers in claims relating to the energy sector in Alberta and BC.

David has provided us with great results.

David is insightful and clearly knows his discipline extremely well. He offers practical advice and direction.

David's ability to hone in on issues and deliver a surgical strike is unmatched. His vast knowledge and experience instill you with confidence immediately.

Paul Belanger
2
Paul Belanger
2
Band 2

Toronto-based partner Paul Belanger is a highly experienced regulatory lawyer with considerable insurance expertise. He also well-regarded for his work in the financial services industry.

Paul Belanger has a deep understanding of our key stakeholders.

Paul is a seasoned lawyer and a key strategic advisor. He understands the reality and environment that we operate in and can provide very useful advice in a timely fashion.

Matthew Liben
3
Matthew Liben
3
Band 3
Matthew Liben has notable expertise in litigation, frequently acting as insurer-side counsel on a wide-range of insurance coverage disputes.

Matthew Liben has been a tremendous help in making sense of a language which is foreign to us.

Matthew is very knowledgeable in terms of the subject matter and provides industry insight.

Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Nationwide - Canada

Insurance: Dispute Resolution

David V Tupper
2
David V Tupper
2
Band 2
Matthew Liben
3
Matthew Liben
3
Band 3
Insurance: Transactional & Regulatory

Bonny Murray
2
Bonny Murray
2
Band 2
Paul Belanger
2
Paul Belanger
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP