Miller Thomson LLP, Charities/Non-profits | Chambers Canada Profile

Regional Rankings
Global
Asia-Pacific
Brazil
Canada
Europe
France
Germany
Greater China Region
Latin America
UK
UK Bar
USA
Specialist Rankings
NewLaw
Crisis & Risk Management
FinTech
High Net Worth
Litigation Support
Spotlight Rankings
USA: Spotlight
Chambers Germany 2025 is live
Discover the top rated lawyers and law firms across Germany in the inaugural guide

View the rankings
Articles
Global Practice Guides
Expert Focus
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Legal Articles
Events
Upcoming Events
Browse All Events
Event Sponsorship
About Our Events
Chambers Germany 2025 is live
Discover the top rated lawyers and law firms across Germany in the inaugural guide

View the rankings
Amplify your presence
Profile Platform
Amplify your ranking and be more discoverable
Includes:

Online Profile

Referee Management

Research Analytics

Marketing Toolkit

Plaques
Improve your performance
Insight
Improve your ranking with unique market insight
Includes:

Client and Market Intelligence

Client Intelligence

Rankings Data Hub

Business Intelligence
Showcase your expertise
Global Practice Guides Contributions
Highlight your subject matter expertise
Expert Focus
Provide commentary on key legal matters
In-depth Overviews
Events Sponsorship
Global Practice Guides
View our latest publications
Elevate your talent strategies
Chambers TalentNew
Access a range of ways to gain valuable insights to inform talent strategies
Leading TeamsNew
Heighten your understanding of and identify the key drivers of talent retention and motivation
Chambers Student
Chambers Associate
Chambers Germany 2025 is live View the rankings
Submissions
Guide Launch Dates
Methodology
Research Schedule
Research Team
Submissions Process
Chambers Germany 2025 is live
Discover the top rated lawyers and law firms across Germany in the inaugural guide

View the rankings
Help
My Account

About

Provided by Miller Thomson LLP

Charities and not-for-profits in the social impact sector share many of the same legal challenges as commercial organizations, but with an extra layer of regulatory oversight that comes with their special tax status. Miller Thomson’s Charities and Not-For-Profit Group operates one of the most sophisticated practices of its kind in Canada, providing voluntary sector organizations with creative and practical advice designed to meet their unique requirements.

Our clients are a diverse group of charities, not-for-profits, associations, clubs, and religious congregations, but we take the same value-added approach to each one, catering to each organization’s individual needs.

Whether advising on tax compliance strategies and structures for charities and non-profits operating across multiple jurisdictions, helping to secure and structure mission-related investments, or restructuring charities and non-profits to generate revenue from innovative sources, we have the specialized knowledge and experience needed to help organizations achieve a sustainable long-term advantage.

With our comprehensive expertise and industry-specific insights, we empower charities and not-for-profits to navigate the complex legal landscape and achieve their objectives and goals seamlessly.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities/Non-profits - Nationwide - Canada

1

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Miller Thomson maintains a pre-eminent, nationwide charities/non-profits practice. With recognised lawyers in Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal, the law firm provides advice to clients on establishing charitable status, governance issues, capital campaigns and integrations, and is also experienced in complex tax structuring and audits carried out by the Canada Revenue Agency. The team also offers considerable depth of experience in handling government consultations on policy issues concerning the charitable and non-profit sector, as well as advising on social impact bonds. Its diverse array of clients includes healthcare institutions and religious organisations, as well as social and economic empowerment and support groups.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Miller Thomson has one of the largest charities and not-for-profit teams in Canada, across all levels of experience, including some of the most senior and well-respected practitioners in the area.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

They have given excellent feedback on all of the questions I've asked, understanding the nuances and the various players. They have also answered a couple of questions that I didn't even know I had.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

The members of the team we work with are responsive and frequently provide effective advice on time-sensitive matters.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

It is the leading charity law practice nationwide. They are well versed in all aspects of charity law, and they provide opinions and risk assessments on very complex and sophisticated matters.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

Their advice is practical and provides good value for the cost.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

Miller Thomson has one of the largest charities and not-for-profit teams in Canada, across all levels of experience, including some of the most senior and well-respected practitioners in the area.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

They have given excellent feedback on all of the questions I've asked, understanding the nuances and the various players. They have also answered a couple of questions that I didn't even know I had.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

The members of the team we work with are responsive and frequently provide effective advice on time-sensitive matters.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

It is the leading charity law practice nationwide. They are well versed in all aspects of charity law, and they provide opinions and risk assessments on very complex and sophisticated matters.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

Their advice is practical and provides good value for the cost.

Charities/Non-profits respondent
Canada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

S

Elena Hoffstein

S

Senior Statespeople

Elena Hoffstein is a Toronto-based charities lawyer who is particularly well regarded for her expertise in tax and regulatory matters. She is also highly adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious estate litigation matters.

I find her to be one of the best in this area of law - she is a great lawyer for us.

1

Robert Hayhoe

1

Band 1

Robert Hayhoe is particularly well regarded for his understanding of governance, structuring and tax arrangements in the charities sector. He also advises clients on issues relating to property, covering purchases, leasing and developments. He is based in Toronto.

Robert Hayhoe possesses exceptional business acumen and a profound understanding of our specific business needs.

Robert advises from a place of experience and tells you what he thinks. He's an incredibly experienced and valued counsel.

He is extremely knowledgeable and makes himself available. His level of understanding for what we are trying to do means he is able to give us the information we need.

1

Susan Manwaring

1

Band 1

Susan Manwaring acts for a broad array of charities and non-profit organisations, including prestigious domestic and international foundations. Based in Toronto, she is national head of the law firm's social impact group.

She is extremely knowledgeable in the industry.

She has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She deserves to be top-rated.

2

Andrew Valentine

Head of Charities/Non-profits

2

Band 2

Andrew Valentine is a respected lawyer with significant experience in not-for-profit and charity law. Based in Toronto, he assists clients with gift planning, registration and compliance matters.

Andrew Valentine is an excellent lawyer. His technical expertise is top of class, as is his general level of service.

He demonstrates a strong awareness of charities operations, providing practical and actionable advice.

We have worked with Andrew for many years and we continue to reach out to him based on our satisfaction with his support.

2

Michael Blatchford

2

Band 2

Michael Blatchford dedicates his practice to non-profit organisations, assisting clients with a broad range of matters covering structuring and regulation, as well as negotiating financing, property lease and commercial agreements. Based in Vancouver, he joined Miller Thomson in May 2024 after leaving Norton Rose Fulbright.

3

Amanda Stacey

3

Band 3

Amanda Stacey assists clients with an array of issues in the non-profit sector, covering regulation, governance, tax structuring and compliance, and dispute resolution. She divides her time between Vancouver and Toronto.

3

Troy McEachren

3

Band 3

Montréal-based Troy McEachren assists clients with a range of issues, including incorporation matters and tax structuring, as well as litigation and administrative challenges. His clients range from charities to private foundations and trusts.

4

David Tang

4

Band 4

David Tang frequently acts for non-profit organisations in the real estate sector, advising on corporate governance and tax compliance. He is based in Toronto.

David is a trusted adviser and has provided outstanding service over the long term for our organisation. He understands complex issues and is able to provide perspective from a range of viewpoints.

U

Natasha Smith

U

Up and Coming

Up-and-comer Natasha Smith has noteworthy expertise advising on corporate restructurings, compliance, governance policies and funding agreements.

It has been great working with Natasha on complex charity matters and we have appreciated her timely and effective advice.

U

Nicole D'Aoust

U

Up and Coming

Nicole D'Aoust assists clients with transactions and commercial agreements as well as governance and operational matters. She also has experience advising on charitable registration applications. She is based in Toronto.

Nicole D'Aoust is a strong lawyer and has advised on complex and sophisticated charities compliance issues. Her level of service is very good. I would gladly refer others to her.

She is a wonderful counsel who always brings valuable insight. Nicole can navigate complex situations and matters very well. She has impeccable judgement.

Nicole stands out for her responsiveness.

U

Sarah Fitzpatrick

U

Up and Coming

Vancouver-based Sarah Fitzpatrick offers a range of experience in the charities and non-profit space, including with regard to the tax treatment of high-value charitable donations as well as in connection with general structuring concerns.

Sarah’s level of detail and knowledge of implications - clause by clause and issue by issue - is nothing short of outstanding. She also has a gift for knowing what is missing.

Filter by

Nationwide - Canada

Charities/Non-profits

S

Elena Hoffstein

S

Senior Statespeople

1

Robert Hayhoe

1

Band 1

1

Susan Manwaring

1

Band 1

2

Andrew Valentine

Head of Charities/Non-profits

2

Band 2

2

Michael Blatchford

2

Band 2

3

Amanda Stacey

3

Band 3

3

Troy McEachren

3

Band 3

4

David Tang

4

Band 4

U

Natasha Smith

U

Up and Coming

U

Nicole D'Aoust

U

Up and Coming

U

Sarah Fitzpatrick

U

Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Miller Thomson LLP

Andrew Valentine

Head of Department

Elena Hoffstein

Michael Blatchford

Sarah Fitzpatrick

Susan Manwaring