About
Provided by Torys LLP
Torys has a distinguished history of involvement in Canada's banking industry and in its finance markets; we are recognized by our clients and peers for our experience, our innovative but practical approach and our cross-border capability. From providing industry-leading regulatory counsel to creating first-of-kind financing structures, our group offers clients dedicated service that is second to none.
We are proud of our reputation as deal facilitators. Because of our experience representing both lenders and borrowers, we understand both sides of the issues at play. We find practical solutions that achieve all parties' objectives and help clients get deals done in a way that preserves and grows relationships. Our clients benefit from the experience of both our individual team members and from our close-knit, collegial group.
We act on a wide range of banking and debt financing matters, including:
- bank financings (bilateral and syndicated)
- asset-based loan transactions
- banking and insurance regulatory
- acquisition financings
- project finance
- private placements and public offerings of debt securities (including U.S. and Canadian high-yield offerings)
- subordinated debt financings and related intercreditor arrangements
- derivatives
- U.S. term B loans for the institutional market
- real estate financing
- construction lending and permanent financing
- workouts and other insolvency and bankruptcy matters
- leasing
- tax structuring of debt arrangements (including cross-border)
- structured loan products
Chambers Review
Torys rises to the top spot in the rankings due to its excellency in handling a broad spectrum of banking work across its Toronto and Calgary offices, aided by the firm's office in New York. The group's experience includes advising on high-end acquisition finance and project finance matters, with further strength in secured and unsecured credit facilities especially in relation to the energy, real estate and mining sectors. The team acts for a range of both lender and borrower-side clients, including leading domestic banks, insurance companies, international financial institutions and private equity funds. Furthermore, the firm's esteemed regulatory practice is notable for its advice regarding financial services M&A, insurance regulation and credit card programmes as well as consumer protection work. The handling of digital payment systems and large-scale COVID-19 relief programmes complements the firm's excellent holistic offering.
Work Highlights
- Torys advised the Canada Development Investment Corporation on the development of the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included a CAD310 million loan to GoodLife Fitness Centre and a CAD250 million loan to Porter Airlines.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team's knowledge is vast and the execution is recognisably top-notch. Dealing with Torys is personally a pleasure."
"I trust the firm with our most sensitive and complex questions and Torys always delivers."
"The depth of technical knowledge combined with a practical approach to complex matters makes Torys a very nimble and effective firm when handling sophisticated matters."
"The team is excellent, and the firm has strong partners across North America that we are able to rely on when we need specialised advice."
"The department is service-focused and very responsive."
"The team's knowledge is vast and the execution is recognisably top-notch. Dealing with Torys is personally a pleasure."
"I trust the firm with our most sensitive and complex questions and Torys always delivers."
"The depth of technical knowledge combined with a practical approach to complex matters makes Torys a very nimble and effective firm when handling sophisticated matters."
"The team is excellent, and the firm has strong partners across North America that we are able to rely on when we need specialised advice."
"The department is service-focused and very responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Toronto-based practitioner Tom Zverina holds expertise encompassing an impressive range of financing and investment banking work, with notable proficiency in acquisition finance. He also assists with project finance mandates.
"Tom Zverina is a pleasure to work with: he's bright and pragmatic."
Eli Monas regularly assists with the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions in the banking sector, as well as insurance-related mandates. His client roster includes prominent banks, private equity funds and insurance companies.
"Eli is very knowledgeable about Canadian Insurance Companies Act matters and provides very good insight on how things might be viewed by a regulator."
Excellent practitioner Blair Keefe is one of the most accomplished figures in the area of financial services regulation. Based in Toronto, he is frequently sought out by leading domestic and multinational institutions for his strength in the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions in the financial sector, as well as insurance regulation.
"Blair Keefe is very highly regarded." "He is an expert in his field with a strong bent to client service."
Amanda Balasubramanian co-leads the banking and debt finance practice from the firm's Toronto office. She is regularly involved in major financing and refinancing initiatives in the mining sector.
"Amanda Balasubramanian is well liked and regarded for a reason - she is a pleasure to work with."
Calgary-based lawyer Kevin Fougere is well-versed in acting for both lenders and borrowers, and is especially prominent in financing transactions in the energy sector.
"Kevin Fougere has deep knowledge regarding banking matters and couples that with a keen commercial awareness of our goals, and is always quick to respond and assist when needed." "He is one of the best banking lawyers in Calgary."
Co-head of the banking and debt finance practice, Adam Delean has an excellent track record advising high-end banking clients on a wide variety of issues. He works out of Toronto.
"He is the first call for a number of financial institutions."
Ranked Lawyers at
Torys LLP
Canada
Members
Provided by Torys LLP
Head of Department
Amanda Balasubramanian
Head of Department
Eli Monas