Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Investment Funds: Fund Formation

Canada Guide 2027 : 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: Fund Formation - Nationwide - Canada

Band 2

Band 2


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

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised TD Asset Management on its reorganisation of a CAD22 billion TD Greystone real estate fund.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes consistently delivers counsel that is grounded in practical business reality rather than abstract legal theory. The team understands operational constraints and tailors its advice accordingly.

    Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
  • Blakes is very knowledgeable in our space, responsive and focused on helping its clients.

    Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
  • The firm's advice is practical and commercial, focusing on the important issues.

    Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
  • The firm is very proactive in flagging emerging risks and potential regulatory developments before they become a problem. Handling complex matters is one of Blakes' greatest strengths.

    Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
  • Blakes has an incredibly strong relationship with the regulators, which has been a tremendous advantage.

    Investment Funds: Fund Formation 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 is the best in Toronto in his field.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
  • Band 2Stacy McLean
    Band 2Stacy McLean

    Stacy McLean

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

    • She is thorough, attentive and provides great advice.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • Stacy is highly responsive, reliable and able to distill complex regulatory and legal issues into clear, actionable advice.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • What sets Stacy apart is her combination of deep technical knowledge with a high degree of personal investment in client outcomes.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • Stacy is very helpful in thinking outside of the box and finding reasonable, commercial solutions.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation 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 the co-lead of the firm's fund formation group and is also experienced in advising on investments.

    • Kate is very knowledgeable and experienced, and very good at identifying and resolving issues.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • Kate provides excellent service and is very personable.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • Kate really goes above and beyond and has great industry knowledge.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation 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.

    • Norbert Knutel consistently provides excellent client service and demonstrates a very high level of sophistication and commercial awareness.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • Norbert is a trusted adviser.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • Norbert is excellent; knowledgeable and responsive.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada
    • He is an amazing lawyer; a go-to for all deals and well-connected.

      Investment Funds: Fund Formation respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (5)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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