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 - Canada

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

McCarthy Tétrault maintains a prominent position 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 McCarthy Tétrault LLP

  • McCarthy Tétrault advised Blue Owl Capital on its USD5.3 billion syndicated senior secured credit facilities to refinance Finastra Group Holdings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Richard T Higa
2
Richard T Higa
2
Band 2

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 Higa is a very experienced lawyer, who is always a pleasure to work with.

Richard Higa provides great guidance on credit terms, as well as market knowledge and availability.

He is always responsive and pays high attention to details.

Gordon D Baird
3
Gordon D Baird
3
Band 3
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 Baird is a valuable player with strong technical knowledge.

Justin Lapedus
3
Justin Lapedus
3
Band 3
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 based in Toronto.

He is extremely quick at drafting documents and is intuitive.

Justin Lapedus provides an excellent service.

Michel Deschamps
4
Michel Deschamps
4
Band 4
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.

Michel Deschamps demonstrates very strong technical knowledge and experience.

Richard O'Doherty
4
Richard O'Doherty
4
Band 4

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.

Richard O'Doherty provides sound advice and a practical approach to complex situations.

Richard O'Doherty offers great business acumen and commercial awareness.

Ranked Lawyers at
McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Canada

Banking & Finance

Richard T Higa
2
Richard T Higa
2
Band 2
Gordon D Baird
3
Gordon D Baird
3
Band 3
Justin Lapedus
3
Justin Lapedus
3
Band 3
Michel Deschamps
4
Michel Deschamps
4
Band 4
Richard O'Doherty
4
Richard O'Doherty
4
Band 4