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: The Elite - Ontario

1
Band 1

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

  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Iris Fischer
1
Iris Fischer
1
Band 1

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.

Iris is the gift that keeps on giving.

She can handle with ease the most complicated commercial issues and explain things in a calm and effective way.

Iris provides a holistic view of risk, embraces creative solutions and is collaborative.

She is a total package lawyer.

Michael E Barrack
1
Michael E Barrack
1
Band 1

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.

He is very knowledgeable and client-oriented.

He is a very strategic partner.

He got up to speed extremely quickly on very technical subject matter.

Andrea Laing
2
Andrea Laing
2
Band 2

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.

Andrea consistently impresses with her exceptional client service, strong depth and breadth of experience and ability to think creatively in complex situations.

Her work is very well considered and strategic.

Bradley E. Berg
3
Bradley E. Berg
3
Band 3

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.

He provides top tier advice.

He understands the environment that we work in and is proactive and practical.

Catherine Beagan Flood
3
Catherine Beagan Flood
3
Band 3

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.

She is a strategic thinker, thinks big picture and prioritises client service.

She is top notch.

Doug McLeod
3
Doug McLeod
3
Band 3

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.

He is a trusted adviser who consistently aligns legal tactics with business outcomes at the highest level.

The responsiveness with Doug is what sets him apart the most.

He brings a real practicality to his work and strategic recommendations.

Ryan Morris
3
Ryan Morris
3
Band 3

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.

He is a responsive and strategic lawyer.

Jeff Galway
4
Jeff Galway
4
Band 4

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.

He is highly client-focused, exceptionally attentive and proactive.

Jeff is a super practical and client-focused litigator.

Christopher DiMatteo
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Christopher DiMatteo
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Up and Coming

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.

Christipher is analytical and has a good strategic eye.

Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Ontario

Litigation: Administrative & Public Law

Iris Fischer
1
Iris Fischer
1
Band 1
Catherine Beagan Flood
3
Catherine Beagan Flood
3
Band 3
Christopher DiMatteo
U
Christopher DiMatteo
U
Up and Coming
Litigation: General Commercial

Michael E Barrack
1
Michael E Barrack
1
Band 1
Bradley E. Berg
3
Bradley E. Berg
3
Band 3
Catherine Beagan Flood
4
Catherine Beagan Flood
4
Band 4
Jeff Galway
4
Jeff Galway
4
Band 4
Litigation: Securities

Andrea Laing
2
Andrea Laing
2
Band 2
Doug McLeod
3
Doug McLeod
3
Band 3
Ryan Morris
3
Ryan Morris
3
Band 3