Department profile

Tax: Litigation

Global Guide 2026 : Canada

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Business leaders conducting complex transactions want efficiency, innovative thinking and a smart, successful path to the finish line. That’s what our market-leading Canada-U.S. tax lawyers deliver.

We take on your tax challenges and develop structures that work – often pursuing strategies that break new ground. We established a Canadian landmark with the original tax-deferred conversion of a mutual fund into a REIT. And we helped devise the unique inversion structure for the merger of two global quick-service restaurant chains.

Applying our extensive experience across all major industries and sectors, we help you navigate tax environments with agility and precision. We know how to satisfy divergent interests while achieving practical results that keep all parties on course. And when tax disputes arise, we stand by your side, helping to get the matter resolved as efficiently as possible – so you can keep moving forward.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax: Litigation - Canada

What the Team is Known For

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg houses an outstanding team of tax experts, providing advice to prominent players across a variety of sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, mining and real estate. With leading lawyers based in Toronto and Montréal, the firm is frequently involved in novel tax structuring work in relation to major domestic and cross-border M&A deals, as well as private equity fund formation. The team also has a solid tax litigation practice and benefits from the additional support offered by its tax group in New York.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg successfully represented Onex Corporation in its application for judicial review against the Minister of National Revenue before the federal court.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Davies offers outstanding strategic advice and is proactive and timely.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
The Davies team has distinguished itself in being able to handle complex tax matters effectively and advocate on our behalf. They are certainly the best team I have dealt with in the field of tax.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Davies' team of professionals has the expertise to be a top-notch full service tax firm.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
I view them as a leader in their field.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Davies' focus on details has been fantastic and they are very responsive to all queries.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
John M Ulmer
John Ulmer is a highly esteemed tax attorney with notable expertise pertaining to international taxation, as well as advising on the tax aspects of private equity transactions. He is based in Toronto.
John is extremely smart and client focused.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
R Ian Crosbie
Toronto-based Ian Crosbie is held in high regard for his handling of complex and high-value matters for a top roster of clients. He has considerable knowledge of the tax aspects of private equity matters.
Ian is one of the smartest people I have ever worked with.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Ian is a market leader.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 1
Band 1
Guy Du Pont
Guy Du Pont is recognised as one of the country's most highly regarded contentious tax lawyers. Based in Montréal, he is frequently sought out for representation in high-stakes litigation, investigations and audit files.
He is an outstanding lawyer and litigator on tax matters in Canada. Guy is highly respected by his peers and has great judgment and experience.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Guy is straight to the point and always available.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Guy has a stellar reputation and is someone who competes head on in the market.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Elie Roth
Toronto-based Elie Roth has considerable experience advising on commercial transactions, including M&A, in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and real estate. He also is well respected for his private wealth law practice.
Elie provides top level of service, combined with smart and pragmatic advice. He is phenomenal.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Elie gives clear and concise advice and uses very simple language.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
We have enjoyed having Elie's perspective on unique approaches for us. He has seen a lot and can relate his experiences to something that works for us.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Elie is a genius.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Elie is a brilliant lawyer. One of his many strengths is being able to communicate extremely complicated and technical concepts in everyday language for clients to understand.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Chris Anderson
Chris Anderson provides counsel on the tax aspects of various commercial transactions, including high-profile mergers. He is based in Toronto.
Chris is prompt, concise and easy to communicate with. He has been a fantastic asset to our team.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Chris is a very creative lawyer and an easy guy to work with. He can work on the most complicated things, but simplify it so everyone can understand.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Chris is an excellent tax lawyer, who has detailed knowledge of Canadian tax law and intimately understands the technical issues.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Marie-France Dompierre
Marie-France Dompierre is a well-reputed practitioner who works with clients in complex tax disputes. She holds particular expertise dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency, as well as with matters concerning the Income Tax Act.
Marie-France is responsive and a pleasure to work with.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Marie-France Dompierre will be our go-to person for any of our client's issues going forward.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Bobby J. Sood
Bobby Sood garners support from the market for his expert handling of contentious tax matters, including those with notable cross-border aspects. From his base in Toronto, he is able to support a range of clients in the financial services and consulting sectors.
Bobby is hard working and knowledgeable.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Marie-Emmanuelle Vaillancourt
Marie-Emmanuelle Vaillancourt works on a range of matters, including tax aspects of complex and high-value transactions.
Marie-Emmanuelle is very proactive and she is always there when we need her.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Marie-Emmanuelle is always attentive, quick to respond and solutions-driven.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Marie-Emmanuelle has super strong knowledge and she is quick to understand and provide solutions. She is also proactive in reaching out to us with any new tax developments that could impact us.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Michael Kandev
Montréal-based Michael Kandev is sought out for his tax counsel on commercial transactions, with a strong track record in cross-border acquisitions and investments.
Michael is a good thinker and a strong client advocate.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Michael is very technically proficient. He is efficient with his time and responsive.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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Band 5
Band 5
Brian Bloom
Montréal-based Brian Bloom is noted for his experience in high-value private equity tax disputes. He has experience representing an array of clients in the pharmaceutical industry.
Brian is amazing!
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
Brian is a genius and has one of the most creative tax minds on the planet.
Tax: Litigation respondentGlobal
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