
Charities & Nonprofits
Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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
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Strengths
Provided by Chambers
All of our issues or challenges have been handled in a very detailed and timely manner.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanadaThe firm does an excellent job of considering all the facts in a situation.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanadaMiller Thomson manages very nuanced and complex pieces of work beautifully.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
Elena Hoffstein
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.
Elena is always available to talk through challenges and answer my questions.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Band 1 
Band 1 
Susan Manwaring
Susan Manwaring acts for a broad array of charities and non-profit organisations, including prestigious domestic and international foundations.
Susan provides solid, practical advice suited to our operating environment.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanadaSusan brings a level of experience to matters that is second to none. She is practical and deeply knowledgeable about the charitable sector.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Band 2 
Band 2 
Andrew Valentine
Andrew Valentine is a respected lawyer with significant experience in not-for-profit and charity law. Based in Toronto, he heads Miller Thomson's social impact group and assists clients with gift planning, registration and compliance matters.
He takes critical steps to understand the client's needs and unique contexts and to partner with us to problem-solve critical and complex issues.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanadaHe is a valued advisor who understands the business and understands the sector.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanadaAndrew is a very reliable and practical counsel. He partners well with internal counsel and understands the business realities of our work.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Band 2 
Band 2 
Michael Blatchford
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. He is based in Vancouver.
Michael is knowledgeable and helps us get to where we want to go.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Band 3 
Band 3 
Amanda Stacey
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. Band 4 
Band 4 
David Tang
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 insightful and responsive.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
Sarah Fitzpatrick
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 Fitzpatrick has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal acumen, combined with a practical sense of charity law.
Charities & Nonprofits respondentCanada
Ranked Individuals at Miller Thomson LLP (7)
Members
Provided by Miller Thomson LLP


Susan Manwaring
View profile of Susan Manwaring
Elena Hoffstein
View profile of Elena Hoffstein
Michael Blatchford
View profile of Michael Blatchford
Amanda Stacey
View profile of Amanda Stacey
David Tang
View profile of David Tang
Sarah Fitzpatrick
View profile of Sarah Fitzpatrick
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