Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Private Equity: Buyouts

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blakes has one of the strongest and most experienced private equity practices in Canada.

As a national team, we drive innovative investment structures and strategic thinking, with a depth of industry knowledge and perspectives from across the country.

Our private equity team spans various legal specialty areas, including M&A, capital markets, competition, foreign investment review, tax, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, pensions, benefits and executive compensation

We provide strategic advice and legal counsel at each stage of the investment lifecycle: fund formation, fund management and governance, financing, management of portfolio companies and exit strategies, as well as Canadian and international investment-related acquisitions and dispositions.

Working closely with our clients as both buyers and sellers, our team provides advice when formulating a strategy and structuring and executing an investment-related transaction, from sourcing investment opportunities and financing through to buyouts, going-private transactions, M&A, initial public offerings and other restructuring and exit strategies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity: Buyouts - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates an active deal practice in private equity, with a significant national scope. The group demonstrates equal strength acting for buyers and sellers on domestic and cross-border buyout, investment and exit transactions. It also stands out for its representation of US funds in connection with their Canadian investments, supported by the firm's office in New York. With impressive Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal-based lawyers, the team has experience handling private equity buyouts in an array of active sectors, including technology.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised Advent International on its USD6.3 billion acquisition of Nuvei Corporation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The lawyers at Blakes are highly knowledgeable and commercial in negotiations, they understand the market and are well-respected by opposing counsel.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

  • The Blakes team stands out for its exceptional commercial judgement, deep technical expertise and solutions-oriented approach.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

  • The Blakes team combines legal advice with strong business judgement.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

  • The team at Blakes provides outstanding judgement, strong business acumen and excellent client relationship management.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

  • The Blakes team is diligent, responsive and professional.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • John-Paul Bogden
    John-Paul Bogden

    John-Paul Bogden

    Vancouver-based John-Paul Bogden has a wealth of experience in the private equity space, assisting various clients, from tech players to pension scheme providers.

    • JP is one of the most commercially savvy lawyers that I know.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • John-Paul Bogden is attentive, thorough and extremely commercial.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada
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  • Patrick Menda
    Patrick Menda

    Patrick Menda

    Montréal-based Patrick Menda is a highly experienced attorney who is frequently called upon by private equity firms to handle significant transactional work.

    • Patrick is a very skilled lawyer who is well versed in M&A.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Patrick's knowledge of cross-border transactions is extremely helpful and he is extremely responsive and attentive.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Patrick Menda is consistently very strong and practical.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Patrick Menda's way of managing clients is fantastic and he knows how to collaborate.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada
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  • Kurt Sarno
    Kurt Sarno

    Kurt Sarno

    Kurt Sarno is an experienced transactional attorney who frequently advises private equity firms on deals work. He is based in the firm's Toronto office.

    • Kurt is our go-to for many deals and has an excellent reputation.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Kurt brings a rare combination of deep legal expertise, commercial intuition and is calm under pressure.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada
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  • Michael I Gans
    Michael I Gans

    Michael I Gans

    Michael Gans is a respected lawyer in the private equity and M&A space with extensive experience supporting clients in acquisitions, dispositions, and minority investments.

    • Michael Gans is great, we have great confidence in him as a partner.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Michael's ability to see the bigger picture and provide risk-adjusted advice is unmatched.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Mike is very commercial and practical.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Michael Gans is reasonable and really creative in his thinking.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada
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  • Rory ffrench
    Rory ffrench

    Rory ffrench

    Rory ffrench is based in the Toronto office, where he is frequently active on buyout transactions alongside a complementary practice advising on corporate structuring, joint ventures and commercial contracts.

    • Rory is strong across all metrics.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Rory ffrench is incredibly smart and dedicated.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada

    • Rory is great to work with.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (5)

Nationwide - Canada

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