Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Restructuring/Insolvency

Global Guide 2026 : Canada

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Recognized as one of Canada’s leading domestic and cross-border restructuring practices, the Blakes Restructuring & Insolvency group combines unmatched experience and depth to meet the immediate and critical needs of our clients with expert practitioners across Canada. Collaborating with our colleagues as needed in Financial Services, Capital Markets, Competition & Antitrust, Employment & Labour, Commercial Real Estate, Tax, Environmental and Intellectual Property, Blakes provides top-quality coordinated service and effective solutions to the unique and complex challenges clients face wherever the parties are located or the insolvency proceedings are commenced.

We represent all parties impacted by insolvencies and restructurings, including Canadian and U.S. banks and financial institutions, corporate debtors in domestic and cross-border insolvency proceedings, restructuring financial advisory firms that act as court officers, debtor-in-possession (DIP) lenders, and investors seeking to acquire assets and businesses in distressed circumstances.

We assist clients in a wide range of industries through workouts and restructurings (including under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA), cross-border recognition of Chapter 11 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as well as federal and provincial corporate restructuring statutes), DIP financing, security enforcement, distressed business acquisitions and post-restructuring issues.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Blake, Cassels & Graydon maintains a well-established restructuring and insolvency department with standout lawyers in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver. The team has a particularly strong presence representing major banks both domestically and internationally. It is widely acknowledged for its impressive track record of assisting clients from the financial services, mining and natural resources sectors with large CCAA and cross-border Chapter 11 proceedings. The firm is well placed to advise lenders, receivers and troubled businesses, and fields additional expertise in litigation, which includes experience before the Supreme Court of Canada.
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Work Highlights

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  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon represented Ernst & Young as Monitor of Pride Group Holdings in its CCAA proceedings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team provided sound, actionable advice. I would trust their judgement in any situation.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

  • Blake has partners who manage our relationship nationally, as well as local experts who can give us insight into how a process will play out in a specific jurisdiction.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

  • They have regularly thought ahead on many issues, anticipating challenges before they presented themselves as problems.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Kelly Bourassa
    Kelly Bourassa

    Kelly Bourassa

    Co-head of Blakes' restructuring and insolvency group in Calgary, Kelly Bourassa centres her practice on the representation of banks and financial institutions and has notable experience advising lending syndicates. She also demonstrates strength assisting with insolvency matters in the oil and gas space.

    • Kelly is very highly regarded. She offers great advice.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • She is a top lawyer in her field. She has a commanding presence and delivers exceptional client service.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Her strengths lay in her deep understanding of the intricacies of CCAA legislation.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Pamela L. J. Huff
    Pamela L. J. Huff

    Pamela L. J. Huff

    Toronto-based Pamela Huff heads the nationwide restructuring and insolvency team at Blakes. She acts on a broad array of insolvency matters involving companies in sectors such as tobacco, construction and retail.

    • Pamela has seen everything and utilizes that deep experience to solve complex issues. She is great with clients, and calmly steers them towards the right solutions.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Linc Rogers
    Linc Rogers

    Linc Rogers

    Linc Rogers maintains an impressive practice which sees him represent court-appointed monitors as well as companies undergoing insolvency proceedings. He is based in Toronto and is co-practice group leader of the firm's restructuring and insolvency group.

    • Linc has an aura of warmth, confidence and composure that diffuses tensions and fosters a positive dialogue and productive outcomes.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Linc is always available with sound, actionable advice.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • He has an ability to give clear and quick commercial advice. Linc is a true partner and understands what is needed.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Peter Rubin
    Peter Rubin

    Peter Rubin

    Vancouver-based Peter Rubin is commended for his assured handling of several prominent CCAA proceedings and counts a number of financial institutions among his clients.

    • Peter Rubin tailors the response to what's needed and knows where to apply the heat.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Very strong and a great collaborator, very good to work with!

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Peter is top tier in terms of outlining arguments in court. He's got very good judgement and has recently come up with a novel approach for us to go to court and make a process far more efficient.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Milly Chow
    Milly Chow

    Milly Chow

    Milly Chow has notable experience acting for financial institutions and lending syndicates on restructuring and insolvency mandates. She is based in Toronto.

    • Milly is an amazing attorney and a wonderful person. She has a pragmatic approach to problem solving and an ability to deliver the commercial results her clients want.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Milly is an excellent lawyer with a very strong grasp on the technical aspects of the law. She is a real pleasure to work with.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Chris Burr
    Chris Burr

    Chris Burr

    Chris Burr is a Toronto-based partner with a growing presence in the space. He has notable experience acting on debt enforcements and liquidation proceedings.

    • His ability to anticipate potential challenges and proactively develop solutions was incredibly helpful.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • He's a business-savvy and practical lawyer.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Chris is a very strong practitioner. He's meticulous, creative, analytical and effective in his approach.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Aryo Shalviri
    Aryo Shalviri

    Aryo Shalviri

    Toronto-based partner Aryo Shalviri's flourishing practice encompasses a range of restructuring matters. He is experienced in handling distressed M&A and commercial reorganisations on behalf of a broad clientele.

    • Aryo is a star. He is incredibly bright, and has a pragmatic and business-minded approach to problem-solving.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Aryo provided sound strategic advice.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • He provides excellent legal advice while always understanding the larger context in which he is giving it.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Aryo is highly competent and responsive. We view him as a trusted advisor.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (7)

Canada

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