About

Provided by Torys LLP

Focused counsel with a big-picture lens: whether assisting on clients’ day-to-day pensions and employment matters, critical scenarios, or transactions, our advice is sensitive to the situation at hand while satisfying strategic and business objectives.
Our Pensions and Employment team offers integrated, business-minded counsel on pensions, executive compensation, employee benefits and employment matters and disputes. Our breadth of knowledge allows us to balance the needs of the organization, employees and other stakeholders, and find win-win solutions whenever possible.
We know how to defuse sensitive and complex workplace issues in a way that minimizes risk. Our clients span sectors and industries. We collaborate closely with accountants, actuaries and other professionals, as well as with government and regulatory representatives, to coordinate the resolution of our clients’ issues, particularly at times of transition.
We are also deal facilitators, giving practical counsel on pension, employment and executive compensation aspects of complex transactions—and we offer a one-team solution to our clients on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
Our team maintains broad experience in the area of pension fund investment, advising Canada’s largest pension funds on structuring significant acquisitions around the world in compliance with the investment restrictions in their governing legislation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Pensions & Benefits - Nationwide - Canada

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Torys maintains an Ontario-centred pensions practice, which is recognised for its strength in pension investment and transactional issues. The firm is noted for its ability to advise both Canadian and US companies on executive compensation and employee benefits issues. It also offers general governance advice as well as handling pension and benefit litigation. The team is adept at advising on multi-provincial strategic and regulatory matters, representing a broad range of clients, including those in the energy and financial services sectors.

Work Highlights

  • Torys advised Fairfax Financial Holdings on its CAD1.7 billion acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Sleep Country Canada Holdings, including diligence into Sleep Country Canada Holdings' pension and benefits offerings and resolving various equity and incentive compensation arrangements.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Stephanie Kalinowski
2
Stephanie Kalinowski
2
Band 2

Stephanie Kalinowski is based in Torys' Toronto office and maintains an extensive practice in pension compliance and governance matters. She acts on pension mergers and asset transfers as well as litigation, with her clients including plan administrators and employers.

Stephanie is very responsive and knowledgeable.

Stephanie maintains a wonderful balance of legal expertise and business practicality and relays complex information in a very understandable manner.

She is a pleasure to work with. Stephanie's top-notch.

With Stephanie, there is always a great interaction with keen attention to detail, ensuring that all relevant components are surfaced and addressed.

Tom Stevenson
5
Tom Stevenson
5
Band 5

Tom Stevenson of Torys is a well-regarded partner, who wins recognition for his pensions work, which includes matters relating to restructuring and M&A transactions as well as general operational advice. Based in Toronto, his practice also has a notable focus on pension governance.

Tom Stevenson is very well respected.

Tom's been an absolute delight, he's like a breath of fresh air. He has been super practical, responsive and understands our business.

Tom is incredibly helpful. He is knowledgeable and made himself available to answer any questions or meet with us.

Ranked Lawyers at
Torys LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Nationwide - Canada

Pensions & Benefits

Stephanie Kalinowski
2
Stephanie Kalinowski
2
Band 2
Tom Stevenson
5
Tom Stevenson
5
Band 5

Members

Provided by Torys LLP