About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Members of Blake's Investment Products & Asset Management Group are among the profession’s most experienced lawyers in advising clients in the investment management industry. Specifically, we have played a leading role in structuring and implementing domestic and international funds, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), flow-through funds, hedge funds, pooled funds, segregated funds, commodity pools and other complex structures, including exchange-traded notes (ETNs), undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS), derivative-based transactions and other innovative products including Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs). 

Our team is particularly skilled in providing sophisticated advice on capital markets activities, including public and exempt offerings, listings of ETFs and ETNs on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), compliance and registration matters, sales and marketing issues, continuous disclosure issues and governance and regulatory matters. Of note, we advised on the launch of over 200 closed-end funds listed on the TSX. 

In addition to advising many of Canada’s leading financial institutions, Blake's has led the way in acting on behalf of foreign banks bringing structured note platforms to Canada and has advised with respect to the marketing and sale of UCITS products in Canada. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Investment Funds - Nationwide - Canada

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates a wide-ranging investment funds practice with notable expertise in ETFs, closed-end funds and mutual funds. The investment products and asset management team is also noted for advising sponsors on launching Canadian SPACs. Its lawyers represent asset managers, established financial institutions and overseas banks. The group demonstrates significant experience in structuring domestic and cross-border funds, offering additional guidance on the capital markets and tax aspects of fund matters.

Work Highlights

  • Blakes, Cassels & Graydon represented Evolve on the launch and structuring of its Artificial Intelligence Fund (ARTI), Canada’s first artificial intelligence fund enhanced with generative AI.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jeff Glass
1
Jeff Glass
1
Band 1

Toronto-based Jeff Glass has an excellent reputation in the investment funds field. He is regularly engaged by clients to assist with the launch of new products and the expansion into international markets outside of North America.

He has an incredible legal mind but also a strong business sense.

He distils the language of the regulators into lay terms and understand what is important to them.

Jeff combines his technical legal skills with a deep knowledge of what is happening on the street, with the regulators, in the marketplace and with our competitors.

Stacy McLean
2
Stacy McLean
2
Band 2

Stacy McLean is noted for her representation of clients in a broad range of funds-related M&A and securities regulatory matters. She is based in the firm's Toronto office.

Her timeliness in responding to matters ensures that we never miss critical deadlines or opportunities.

She is an excellent drafter and editor.

She is highly responsive and personable.

She really understands what her customer needs and takes that into consideration.

Kate McGilvray
3
Kate McGilvray
3
Band 3

Operating from the firm's Toronto office, Kate McGilvray assists clients with the reorganisation of funds. She is also experienced in advising on investments.

She addresses concerns and issues very well.

She is very dynamic and responsive.

Her commercial awareness is top-notch and was integral to moving a number of deals across the finish line.

Norbert Knutel
3
Norbert Knutel
3
Band 3

Norbert Knutel has a notable reputation for his fund formation work, advising a range of clients. He is based in the firm's Toronto office.

He is aware of key considerations form a business perspective as well as regulatory.

He is a highly valued contributor to our business' success.

He is very knowledgeable in this space.

Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Nationwide - Canada

Investment Funds

Jeff Glass
1
Jeff Glass
1
Band 1
Stacy McLean
2
Stacy McLean
2
Band 2
Kate McGilvray
3
Kate McGilvray
3
Band 3
Investment Funds: Fund Formation

Norbert Knutel
3
Norbert Knutel
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP