Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Investment Funds

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada


Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

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

Band 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

Provided by Chambers

  • 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

  • They are aware of key considerations from a business perspective as well as a regulatory one.

    Investment Funds respondentCanada
  • They have a large and knowledgeable team.

    Investment Funds respondentCanada
  • The Blakes team is highly coordinated, responsive and client-focused.

    Investment Funds respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Jeff Glass
    Band 1Jeff Glass

    Jeff Glass

    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.

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

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • 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.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
  • Band 2Stacy McLean
    Band 2Stacy McLean

    Stacy McLean

    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.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • She is an excellent drafter and editor.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • She is highly responsive and personable.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • She really understands what her customer needs and takes that into consideration.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
  • Band 3Kate McGilvray
    Band 3Kate McGilvray

    Kate McGilvray

    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.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • She is very dynamic and responsive.

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

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
  • Band 3Norbert Knutel
    Band 3Norbert Knutel

    Norbert Knutel

    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.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • He is a highly valued contributor to our business' success.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada
    • He is very knowledgeable in this space.

      Investment Funds respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (4)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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