Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

REITs

Canada Guide 2027 : Nationwide - Canada

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blakes REIT/REOC practice has been one of the largest and most active REIT/REOC practices in the Canadian legal landscape for the past 5 years, having been involved in approximately half of the “new issuer names” that accessed the Canadian public markets during that period.

Our clients constitute a broad cross-section of Canadian, U.S. and other international institutional and private entities, including developers, real estate advisers and investment dealers, banks, pension funds, insurance companies, governments and government agencies, major retailers, hotel and apartment owners and operators.

Blakes has a highly diversified and sophisticated REIT and REOC practice, providing advice on complex structuring, management, governance, financing, compensation and tax issues as well as acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

REITs - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a well-respected law firm that is highlighted for its representation of underwriters in capital markets transactions. The firm's strong tax practice provides valuable support to its REIT and REOC team. The group advises a broad range of issuers on matters including structuring, financing and corporate governance, and is active in both public and private real estate financing transactions. It is also well placed to assist with REIT reorganisations.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon represented Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust’s special committee in a going-private transaction with Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Limited Partnership and the Minto Group, valued at CAD2.3 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon is great. The firm is very technical, responsive and commercial.

    REITs respondentCanada

  • Blakes forms strong partnerships with its clients. The team were able to guide us through very complicated situations to the best resolution and are always incredibly responsive on issues.

    REITs respondentCanada

  • Blakes bring unparalleled expertise, competence and work ethic to the table. The team are routinely the driving force behind getting transactions across the finish line.

    REITs respondentCanada

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydons' depth of knowledge is second to none but it is the structuring finesse which really sets them apart. The firm push matters and don’t let things drag.

    REITs respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Will Fung
    Will Fung

    Will Fung

    Will Fung's practice sees him represent underwriters, agents and REITs in numerous high-value financings and offerings. He is based in Toronto.

    • Will is both brilliant and patient when explaining complex items.
      REITs respondentCanada

    • Will is the best; the most user-friendly, commercially savvy and practical lawyer in the current market. He is the godfather of public real estate work. He is THE guy – there is no question about it.

      REITs respondentCanada
    • Will is the consummate deal-making lawyer. He truly is a partner in our business and does everything possible to help us succeed. He's a creative thinker and makes sure that legal technicalities are never the driving force holding back deals.
      REITs respondentCanada

    • Will is the best in the business. With his industry knowledge and commercial awareness, there is no one that I would trust more with our complicated business issues.

      REITs respondentCanada

    • Will is the textbook example of what every corporate lawyer should strive to emulate. He has an unparalleled ability to marry sophisticated legal analysis with a comprehensive understanding of the commercial issues at stake.

      REITs respondentCanada
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  • Eric Moncik
    Eric Moncik

    Eric Moncik

    Eric Moncik is a highly regarded capital markets and M&A lawyer who advises issuers, underwriters and investors on a broad range of public and private financings. He is particularly noted for his expertise in REIT and real estate capital markets transactions, including IPOs, debt offerings, reorganisations and strategic acquisitions.

    • Eric has a rare combination of leadership and technical and commercial capabilities. His technical understanding of complex legal issues is second to none. Clients know they will get across the finish line when he is on their side.

      REITs respondentCanada
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  • Matthew Merkley
    Matthew Merkley

    Matthew Merkley

    Matthew Merkley is based in Toronto and has a strong track record acting for REITs on capital markets transactions, including bought deals and private placements.

    • Matthew is an excellent lawyer. He has deep knowledge of issues and an ability to explain the points in an efficient manner.

      REITs respondentCanada

    • Matthew's knowledge and customer support are fabulous. He has a very high level of expertise and is always super responsive, sticking with you until the issues are resolved.

      REITs respondentCanada

    • He's got serious depth of knowledge and is an invaluable asset for us.

      REITs respondentCanada
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  • Jeremy Ozier
    Jeremy Ozier

    Jeremy Ozier

    Jeremy Ozier is a Toronto-based lawyer with a robust REITs practice. He frequently assists clients with corporate securities matters, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

    • Jeremy is a fantastic partner every time I've used him.

      REITs respondentCanada

    • Jeremy has strong expertise in the REIT space. He is very responsive and demonstrated deep knowledge of our business and strategic priorities.

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

Nationwide - Canada

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