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Torys LLP
Department profile | Torys LLP
Pensions & Benefits

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

4
Band 4

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

Provided by Torys LLP

  • Torys advised Bank of Montréal in its acquisition of the AIR MILES Reward business of LoyaltyOne, with significant pension plan components.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Excellent, detailed and timely feedback is provided whenever needed. The team has a variety of specialties, which provides the ease of support.

Pensions & Benefits respondent
Canada

There is never a question I will receive the utmost service and responses to any questions usually in the same day and always within 24 hours, which is above my expectations.

Pensions & Benefits respondent
Canada

Torys are thoughtful, responsive and knowledgeable. They are very effectively able to juggle multiple mandates and are highly responsive even when engaged in multiple competing mandates.

Pensions & Benefits respondent
Canada

The team has strong market knowledge and handles complex matters, involving multiple jurisdictions. Analysis is also both thorough and timely, even when dealing with different time zones.

Pensions & Benefits respondent
Canada

Torys will take a thoughtful and thorough approach to addressing issues. They are very knowledgeable about our business and sector which enables us to make appropriate decisions with their guidance.

Pensions & Benefits respondent
Canada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Stephanie Kalinowski
3
Stephanie Kalinowski
3
Band 3

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 practical and will not pad the bills.

Exceptional support with proactive thinking to surface any additional considerations.

Stephanie is very well-versed in laws and regulations which could impact our plan, provides insightful guidance and challenges our advisors to ensure we are receiving the best level of service.

We love working with Stephanie. We consider her an integral part of our team.

Stephanie has the capacity to be practical and detailed. She brings broad knowledge and expertise.

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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 is extremely responsive. We know if we call him, he will get back to us very shortly. Tom is also very comfortable and professional in addressing questions from the board.

Tom has been a delight; extremely responsive and really helpful. Pension law is very technical and he can explain those things in layman's terms. He gets to the point; doesn't give me a full analysis.

I value Tom's comportment, professionalism and approach to matters when working with him.

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Ranked Lawyers at
Torys LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Nationwide - Canada

Pensions & Benefits
Stephanie Kalinowski
3
Stephanie Kalinowski
3
Band 3
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Tom Stevenson
5
Tom Stevenson
5
Band 5
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Members

Provided by Torys LLP

Mitch Frazer

Mitch Frazer

Head of Department