Department profile
McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Banking & Finance: Financial Services

Global Guide 2026 : Canada


McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Our Financial Services Group has an unmatched depth of understanding of financial services transactions and products, which allows us to assist clients in the full range of sophisticated and innovative products and transactions.

With offices across Canada, we are able to field our client teams with all the necessary jurisdictional expertise required for successful outcomes, including regulatory and transactional expertise.

Market Leaders

  • We act for 81% of the total number of domestic and foreign banks operating in Canada and 90% of the foreign banks operating as Schedule III foreign bank branches in Canada.

  • Our team has more experience than any other Canadian law firm in raising capital for financial services companies, including banks and insurance companies. For example, we are regular counsel on six out of seven covered bond programs established by Canadian financial institutions. In both the covered bond offerings and the capital offerings, we acted on more deals for Canadian banks and life insurance companies in 2016 than any other Canadian law firm by a considerable margin.

New Entrants

We have advised in connection with the establishment of numerous new regulated entrants into Canadian financial services, including new banks, bank branches, trust companies and insurance companies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance: Financial Services - Canada


What the Team is Known For

McCarthy Tétrault plays a significant role in the Canadian banking and finance marketplace through its representation of lenders, including many of the country's largest financial institutions, as well as major foreign banks. The group has a strong presence in the structured finance and asset-based lending spaces, with further proficiency in areas such as refinancing, syndicated financing and acquisition finance. The firm also acts on the borrower side, offering significant experience of project finance as well as construction and bridge financing. The team additionally has a strong track record advising on banking regulatory and compliance matters in relation to M&A as well as regulatory investigations and fintech mandates. The firm's expansive sector expertise ranges from TMT and infrastructure to mining and energy. Notable for its impressive reach across Canada, the firm has offices in Québec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as in New York and London, UK.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • McCarthy Tétrault acted for Constellation Software as borrower in connection with a CAD1 billion revolving credit facility under an amended and restated credit agreement provided by a syndicate of lenders.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • McCarthy Tétrault is skilled in getting to the root of the challenge and is able to appropriate legal advice and guidance that aides in a business decision.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • The team has incredible knowledge and experience in the space.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • The firm takes a very practical and business approach to the work we give them.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • McCarthy Tétrault has strong industry expertise and provides integrated national advice.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Richard T Higa
    Band 2Richard T Higa

    Richard T Higa

    Toronto-based Richard Higa is a highly respected individual with a strong track record in telecom and acquisition finance. He has extensive experience assisting with cross-border financing structures.

    • Richard is highly knowledgeable on market practices.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Gordon D Baird
    Band 3Gordon D Baird

    Gordon D Baird

    Gordon Baird is a well-regarded, Toronto-based banking and finance lawyer. His skills encompass a broad range of areas, with a particular proficiency for lender-side mandates, including secured transactions.
    • Gordon is an exceptional lawyer.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Justin Lapedus
    Band 3Justin Lapedus

    Justin Lapedus

    Justin Lapedus is a strong performer in the Canadian banking world, notably acting on acquisition finance and asset-based lending. His client base includes a range of prominent players, including major Canadian banks and private equity houses. He is the co-leader of McCarthy Tétrault's financial services group and is based in Toronto.

    • He understands the big picture but also the details. He always provides sound legal advice and has a very strong commercial awareness.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
    • He goes above and beyond.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
    • Justin is a highly capable lawyer who provides great client service.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Michel Deschamps
    Band 4Michel Deschamps

    Michel Deschamps

    Montréal-based Michel Deschamps is a trusted adviser to many high-profile clients due to his longstanding experience in the market. He is especially noteworthy for his expertise in receivables financing.
    • Michael is an excellent and experienced lawyer.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
    • He is one of the gurus of the banking world.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Richard O'Doherty
    Band 4Richard O'Doherty

    Richard O'Doherty

    Montréal-based Richard O'Doherty is well experienced in financial services law, notably acting on cross-border acquisition finance transactions. His client base includes major Canadian banks and private equity groups.

    • We love working with Richard! He understands business dynamics very well.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at McCarthy Tétrault LLP (6)

Canada

Members

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

McCarthy Tétrault LLP has rankings in the following guides

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