Department profile
McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Pensions & Benefits

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada


McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

McCarthy Tétrault’s Pensions, Benefits, & Executive Compensation group sculpts smart and sustainable solutions for every stage of creating, implementing and managing pension, benefit and executive compensation plans. We have represented clients in class litigation, mediation and arbitration for some of the most complex, bet-the-company pension and benefits cases.

As trailblazers in the field, clients rely on our innovative approach and strategic insights on new and emerging issues such as target benefit plans, structuring direct and indirect pension fund investments for infrastructure, public-private partnerships, private equity and longevity hedging transactions.

Our client base is diverse, many small and medium sized enterprises seek our guidance. At the same time we are the go-to counsel for many of the largest public and private multinational plans, employers, sponsors, administrators, governments, regulators, and their service providers. Our diverse experience means we can provide practical, hands-on advice for our clients’ full range of needs - from advice for day-to-day compliance to guidance through our clients’ most complex and pressing issues. We also work with your usual counsel to address specialized pension, benefits and executive compensation issues.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Pensions & Benefits - Nationwide - Canada

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

McCarthy Tétrault offers a highly-regarded team primarily based in Toronto with a significant national footprint and experience advising on pension fund investments, plan consolidation and governance issues. The firm's lawyers act for clients across an array of industries - including manufacturing, energy and education - and regularly handle the pensions aspects of corporate transactions. The team also possesses multi-employer pension plan expertise and draws praise for its valuable supporting strengths in tax and trusts, as well as pensions litigation, including class actions. McCarthy Tétrault is also noted for its significant cross-border work and experience acting for multinationals in the Canadian market.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • McCarthy Tétrault advised National Bank of Canada on the integration of employee compensation, benefits and retirement plans following its CAD5 billion acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Canadian Western Bank by way of share exchange.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Pensions and benefits is a highly detailed and complex area and McCarthy's does an excellent job advising on and managing the complexities of the various issues.

    Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • The team has depth of knowledge and experience, offering practical legal advice.

    Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • McCarthy provides excellent, outside-the-box thinking in challenging situations, with the ability to pivot and problem-solve.

    Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • The advice given by McCarthy Tétrault is always practical and thoughtful and we can always count on receiving a response in a timely manner.

    Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • The firm provides extraordinarily responsive client service. McCarthy Tétrault has deep expertise that supports by giving useful, creative advice.

    Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Susan Nickerson
    Band 1Susan Nickerson

    Susan Nickerson

    Susan Nickerson is head of McCarthy Tétrault’s pensions, benefits and executive compensation group in Toronto and is particularly skilled at providing pensions law advice in the context of significant M&A deals. A valued source of strategic advice, she provides clients with a range of pensions governance support, including with regard to new pension plans.

    • Susan quickly grasps the complexities of our needs and has provided clear, practical and effective legal guidance.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • Susan has deep industry knowledge and unparalleled responsiveness.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • She is always extremely responsive and her advice on pension administration matters is always practical and well thought out.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • Band 4Scott Bell
    Band 4Scott Bell

    Scott Bell

    Scott Bell of McCarthy Tétrault is based in Toronto and garners considerable market recognition for his pension investment work. He is especially skilled in advising on regulatory and governance matters, as well as handling the pension aspects of M&A.

    • Scott is brilliant - he is very responsive and commercial.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • Scott is extremely responsive and teaches us also. He is excellent.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • Scott has deep industry knowledge and unparalleled responsiveness.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • Scott Bell is technically strong, commercial and client-oriented.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • I've been consistently impressed with Scott's substantive expertise and commitment to understanding our business. Beyond his technical knowledge, his partnership mentality truly sets him apart.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • Band 5Kelleher Lynch
    Band 5Kelleher Lynch

    Kelleher Lynch

    Kelleher Lynch of McCarthy Tétrault's Toronto office garners recognition in the market. He acts for public and private companies on a variety of pensions and benefits, most notably in negotiating plans and advising on the pension aspects of M&A.

    • He is a pleasure to work with. He takes the time to understand our needs and is commercially-focused.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • Kelleher is very responsive, detail-oriented and delivers excellent advice and guidance.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • He has provided very timely and practical legal advice.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
  • Associates to watchJulia Miller
    Associates to watchJulia Miller

    Julia Miller

    Julia Miller is an associate based in the firm's Toronto office. She is a valued adviser on matters across the pensions, benefits and compensation space.

    • Julia Miller is fantastic to work with. She's very responsive, clear and concise on her advice and very willing to offer to help.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada
    • Julia demonstrates some extraordinary aptitude and I have a lot of confidence in her work.

      Pensions & Benefits respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at McCarthy Tétrault LLP (4)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

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