Department profile

Corporate/Commercial

Canada Guide 2026 : Manitoba

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by MLT Aikins LLP

We have provided business and legal advice on many major developments in Western Canada, including projects in the mining, oil and gas, pulp and paper, agribusiness and other resource-based industries ranging in size from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. We have a wealth of experience in designing creative partnerships and joint ventures among businesses, merchant bankers, venture capitalists, financial institutions, co-operatives, First Nations and governments.

We regularly advise business clients on and assist in completing mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Our services include structuring, legal due diligence, and the negotiation of letters of intent, offers to purchase and agreements of purchase and sale. Our commercial law experience includes tax planning, the structuring and governance of entities of all kinds as well as negotiation of engineering and construction agreements, project financing and international commodity marketing agreements. Our commercial joint venture and related governance experience includes representing both venturers and their commonly owned operating companies.

Our corporate/commercial lawyers have particular experience in the area of franchising. We help franchisors navigate complex regulatory challenges to comply with the unique legal requirements for franchising. We work with a broad range of franchisors from start-ups to internationally established businesses, across a wide range of industries.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial - Manitoba

What the Team is Known For

MLT Aikins is widely recognised as the most prominent law firm in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It is particularly highly regarded for its M&A work on behalf of clients in the transportation, natural resources and agribusiness sectors and also often acts for Crown corporations and government entities. The firm has a considerable presence in management-side labour matters, handling a wide array of work ranging from collective bargaining to occupational health and safety and human rights law. It is also highlighted for its expert handling of commercial dispute resolution mandates, as well as offering representation in a number of specialist areas such as banking, wills, trusts and estates, property, construction and tax litigation. The firm has offices in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
James A Ferguson KC
Esteemed lawyer James Ferguson KC possesses deep experience advising on corporate and commercial transactions. His practice features particular strength in the agricultural sector, alongside broader expertise in food and energy matters. He is based in Winnipeg.
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Band 1
Band 1
Shandra Czarnecki
Shandra Czarnecki advises clients on the full scale of matters relating to employment and labour. She is based in Winnipeg.
Shandra is fantastic and very good at what she does.
Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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Band 2
Band 2
David C Filmon
Winnipeg-based David Filmon is an experienced lawyer who advises clients on a broad range of corporate matters, including M&A, securities and corporate governance, among other areas of expertise. He currently serves as the chair of the firm.
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Band 3
Band 3
Brian Lerner
Brian Lerner advises on M&A transactions as well as leveraged buyouts, securities and corporate governance. He is based in Winnipeg.
Brian Lerner is a very good lawyer with impressive abilities.
Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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Band 3
Band 3
Nigel Thompson
Winnipeg-based Nigel Thompson often handles corporate transactions within the mining and environmental sectors, among others. He also advises on real estate financing matters.
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Band 3
Band 3
Peter F Drazic
Peter Drazic has extensive experience in Canadian and international transactions, in addition to commercial real estate and securitisation. He is based in Winnipeg.
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Band 3
Band 3
Richmond Bayes
Winnipeg-based Richmond Bayes advises on M&A and broader transactional matters including corporate reorganisations. He also offers expertise in securities law.
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Spotlight
Spotlight
Gregory Fleetwood
Winnipeg-based Gregory Fleetwood has a notable presence in the Manitoba disputes market, with expertise in corporate and banking-related litigation. He is also commended for his professional malpractice defence work and has advocated on behalf of clients before a range of provincial courts, administrative tribunals and boards.
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Spotlight
Spotlight
James Mercury
James Mercury offers broad expertise in commercial disputes, with notable expertise in tax and property-related matters.
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Spotlight
Spotlight
John Martens
John Martens advises clients across the full spectrum of litigation, with a particular focus on commercial litigation, construction disputes, and medical defence. He is based in Winnipeg.
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Spotlight
Spotlight
Jonathan B. Kroft
Jonathan Kroft is an experienced litigator with substantial expertise in an array of complex commercial disputes.
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Spotlight
Spotlight
Michael J. Weinstein
Michael Weinstein is regularly called upon to handle a broad range of commercial litigation matters. He has notable complementary experience in construction law.
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Spotlight
Spotlight
Thor Hansell
Longstanding litigator Thor Hansell has extensive experience of civil and commercial disputes. Based in Winnipeg, he is well known for his work in the construction and finance spaces, as well as on tax-related disputes.
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