Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Litigation: General Commercial

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario


Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blakes has one of the largest and most successful Litigation & Dispute Resolution practices in Canada, with top-tier litigators in the major business centres across the country, including Toronto, and an extraordinary depth of local industry knowledge, practice expertise and litigation experience

Our multidisciplinary team is armed with the skills and insights required to achieve favourable results for our clients. With all of the advice and expertise needed under one roof, we leverage best practices across industries and take swift action to resolve disputes smoother, smarter and with greater success.

We represent client interests at every stage of a dispute, from fact-finding and risk evaluation through final resolution and enforcement. We litigate in trial and appellate courts, resolve disputes at the negotiating table, and represent clients before tribunals and government agencies.

Blakes litigators have appeared before all levels of court in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and have been involved in precedent-setting cases involving hostile take-overs, indemnification of directors and officers, proxy contests and directors’ duties. Our expertise is complemented by one of Canada’s largest and most experienced corporate and commercial law groups.

In large, document-intensive cases, we integrate skilled paralegal support, leading-edge document management technology and a project management and e-discovery team to manage matters efficiently and cost effectively.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial - Ontario


What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a high-profile Canadian law firm with an admirable litigation offering and a notable presence in the Ontario market. The team maintains a strong focus on disputes relating to contested M&A transactions and commercial contracts, securities and general commercial class action defence, and securities regulatory disputes. The firm is particularly active in the financial services, real estate and pharmaceutical sectors, and the team has additional expertise in insolvency, trade and product liability litigation.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes, Cassels & Graydon acted for Ausenco Engineering Canada as prime contractor in resolving court actions and Ontario Construction Act adjudications arising from the construction of a nearly CAD1 billion gold mine in Northern Ontario.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The department is really versatile, you can throw them into any sticky commercial situation.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • The team at Blakes is extremely talented and committed at all levels.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Blakes provides strong legal advice and has a firm understanding of the issues at play.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • What makes them unique is their blend of not only the law, but their business acumen and strategy.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Iris Fischer
    Band 1Iris Fischer

    Iris Fischer

    Iris Fischer is co-lead of Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto litigation and dispute resolution group. She regularly handles constitutional challenges and judicial review matters, as part of a broad administrative law practice.

    • She knows how to track down the information you need, never cuts corners and always running things to ground.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • Iris is the gift that keeps on giving.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • She can handle with ease the most complicated commercial issues and explain things in a calm and effective way.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • Iris provides a holistic view of risk, embraces creative solutions and is collaborative.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • She is a total package lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 1Michael E Barrack
    Band 1Michael E Barrack

    Michael E Barrack

    Michael Barrack is one of the leading figures in Toronto's commercial litigation space. He is regularly instructed on high-profile and complex commercial mandates, including contested M&A, insolvency litigation and contractual disputes.

    • Michael is one of the brightest litigators and is easy to talk to.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He is very knowledgeable and client-oriented.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He is a very strategic partner.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He got up to speed extremely quickly on very technical subject matter.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 2Andrea Laing
    Band 2Andrea Laing

    Andrea Laing

    Andrea Laing is noted for her representation in significant securities litigation and class actions. Based in Toronto, she acts for a number of major Canadian and multinational financial institutions, accounting firms, investment funds and asset management companies.

    • She offers really practical advice and is great to collaborate with.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • Andrea consistently impresses with her exceptional client service, strong depth and breadth of experience and ability to think creatively in complex situations.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • Her work is very well considered and strategic.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 3Bradley E. Berg
    Band 3Bradley E. Berg

    Bradley E. Berg

    Bradley Berg is an accomplished commercial litigator who is additionally renowned for his work on constitutional cases.

    • He is very knowledgeable and is a model for the legal profession.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He provides top tier advice.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He understands the environment that we work in and is proactive and practical.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 4Catherine Beagan Flood
    Band 4Catherine Beagan Flood

    Catherine Beagan Flood

    Catherine Beagan Flood is an experienced litigator who frequently assists clients with a broad range of complex commercial disputes. She is based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office and is noted in particular for her ability to handle contentious matters in the telecommunications and energy sectors.

    • Catherine is a valued member of the team on matters that are challenging, particularly where they require legal-oriented analysis.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • She is a strategic thinker, thinks big picture and prioritises client service.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • She is top notch.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 3Doug McLeod
    Band 3Doug McLeod

    Doug McLeod

    Doug McLeod continues to build his reputation in Toronto's securities litigation field, with particularly deep understanding of OSC enforcement proceedings and investigations.

    • He is a very knowledgeable lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He is a trusted adviser who consistently aligns legal tactics with business outcomes at the highest level.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • The responsiveness with Doug is what sets him apart the most.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He brings a real practicality to his work and strategic recommendations.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 3Ryan Morris
    Band 3Ryan Morris

    Ryan Morris

    Ryan Morris is increasingly active on high-profile litigation files in Toronto, including contested M&A, capital markets disputes and class actions. He is engaged regularly by both corporations and individuals.

    • Ryan has been a great partner for us.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He is a responsive and strategic lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Band 4Jeff Galway
    Band 4Jeff Galway

    Jeff Galway

    Based in Toronto, Jeff Galway is well versed in class action and single-plaintiff commercial litigation, with experience advising on insurance and competition disputes.

    • His institutional knowledge of us as a client has been really helpful.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • He is highly client-focused, exceptionally attentive and proactive.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • Jeff is a super practical and client-focused litigator.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingChristopher DiMatteo
    Up and ComingChristopher DiMatteo

    Christopher DiMatteo

    Christopher DiMatteo is a Toronto-based partner with a broad commercial litigation practice, showcasing particular proficiency on constitutional and public law matters.

    • He is a smart and knowledgeable lawyer on constitutional issues.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada
    • Christipher is analytical and has a good strategic eye.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (10)

Ontario

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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