Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

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 has a robust Business Crimes, Investigations & Compliance practice. With experience in criminal defence and trial litigation, our lawyers have specialized knowledge in advising on and successfully defending clients in criminal, quasi-criminal, anti-corruption, regulatory and compliance matters. We are highly experienced in developing, assessing and improving anti-corruption and compliance policies and procedures, and regularly advise clients regarding laws and regulations relating to anti-money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions, reporting obligations, responding to regulators and exemptions to sanctions laws.

Multinational and domestic corporations and individuals subject to Canadian law retain us to advise and defend them against a wide range of white-collar criminal charges, including under the Criminal Code, Income Tax Act, Competition Act, Customs Act and provincial securities legislation. 

Renowned for handling complex domestic and multi-jurisdictional investigations, we have successfully defended clients charged with corruption and bribery of public officials and are routinely engaged to conduct internal investigations, review contract terms with foreign agents and joint venture partners, conduct detailed anti-corruption due diligence during transactions and review the legality of proposed business practices. Blakes mobilizes teams on short notice to respond to urgent matters, including search warrants, production orders and compelled interviews.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is recognised for its skilled fraud law group and its handling of significant government investigations. The business crimes, investigations and compliance team also actively assists clients with the development of anti-bribery compliance programmes, as well as handling sensitive internal investigations. With a track record of working on both domestic and multi-jurisdictional white-collar cases, the group is noted particularly for its expertise in relation to the corruption of foreign public officials. The firm also provides crisis response advice to firms under regulatory or criminal investigation, and advises clients on defending against class action litigation resulting from white-collar prosecutions. It has a notably strong presence in both Calgary and Vancouver, with considerable activity for clients in the finance, mining and energy sectors.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon represented AtkinsRéalis in a compliance monitorship under a probation order and a remediation agreement, following CAD280 million fine.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blakes offer pragmatic and timely guidance. The firm is always available for us and provides concrete, actionable guidance, often on very tight deadlines.

    White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

  • The team is excellent and the analysis is not only strong but also precise.

    White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

  • Blakes' knowledge, communication and partnership are all key strengths that distinguish the firm from all others in the industry.

    White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon has an excellent understanding of my business and always provides exceptional results that meet our commercial needs.

    White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Mark Morrison
    Mark Morrison

    Mark Morrison

    Calgary-based Mark Morrison KC is a highly experienced investigations lawyer who has acted for various high-profile clients in areas such as construction and financial services. He is often involved in major corruption mandates involving parallel investigations in the USA.

    • Mark Morrison is a very experienced and business-oriented lawyer. I consider him the leader in Canada in the compliance area.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • Mark has excellent subject matter expertise in the regulatory space, with actionable and pragmatic guidance.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • He really is a great practitioner in terms of his ability to work with people. He is great at quarterbacking and making sure everyone is organised.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • Mark is incredibly knowledgeable in the white-collar space. He provides good counsel and delivers on all promises with great efficiency.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada
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  • Iris Fischer
    Iris Fischer

    Iris Fischer

    Iris Fischer is a skilled practitioner in internal and government investigations and wider white-collar matters, with clients benefiting from her strong pedigree in defending regulatory matters. She is based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office.

    • Iris Fischer is very good at coming up with strategies and focuses on the practical outcome and what is best for the client.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • Iris is a top of the line attorney and our organisation trusts her with all high stakes litigation.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • Iris is the full package. She's intuitive, brilliant, practical and an incredibly skilled advocate.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • She is on top of everything and in terms of service levels she is excellent.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada
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  • Sean Boyle
    Sean Boyle

    Sean Boyle

    Vancouver-based Sean Boyle stands out for his impressive portfolio of clients in financial services and the breadth of his nationwide regulatory expertise. He is highly rated for his handling of both criminal and regulatory investigations, as well as his experience of securities litigation proceedings.

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  • Alexandra Luchenko
    Alexandra Luchenko

    Alexandra Luchenko

    Alexandra Luchenko is well respected for her expertise in securities litigation and also assists with related white-collar crime matters, including compliance and contentious matters. She is based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Vancouver office.

    • She has a thoughtful, responsive approach to her practice and is calm under pressure.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada
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  • John Fast
    John Fast

    John Fast

    John Fast is a partner in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office. He enjoys a reputation for his white-collar criminal defence practice, which sees him advising clients on anti-corruption compliance and enforcement actions, as well as internal investigations.

    • John is an excellent lawyer on white-collar crime related matters.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • John Fast goes above and beyond on all matters he works on for us. He is business savvy and extremely competent in both hard and soft skills.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • He is a very hard worker, very kind and always available.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada

    • John is very responsive to client needs.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada
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  • Liam Kelley
    Liam Kelley

    Liam Kelley

    Liam Kelly is an up and coming practitioner based in Blake, Cassels & Graydon's Toronto office. He has notable expertise in matters relating to civil fraud, asset recovery as well as investigations into corruption.

    • Liam has some of the best technical legal skills in the market. He is very diligent and a really incredible technical legal lawyer.

      White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (6)

Nationwide - Canada

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