Banking & Finance | Canada

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a pre-eminent Canadian law firm in the banking and finance space, with robust expertise in acquisition and project finance, as well as acting on financing amendments, refinancings and ESG-linked credit facilities within the real estate, mining and energy sectors. It is also well regarded for its experience of syndicated lending and debt financing, servicing a client base of leading domestic banks and global financial services providers. The firm is renowned for its involvement in especially high-value deals and is distinguished by its nationwide and international reach. Furthermore, Blakes is held in high esteem for its full-service regulatory group handling M&A transactions in the banking sector, insurance regulation, product rollouts and anti-money laundering mandates. Clients also seek Blakes' advice on operational expansions and strategic partnership set-ups in Canada. The team regularly acts as an adviser to financial institutions hailing from the USA, Asia and Europe.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg represents a variety of lenders and borrowers in cross-border financing and refinancing transactions. The firm offers further expertise in asset-based lending, acquisition and project finance, as well as in large-scale ESG-focused transactions. The group is well respected for its longstanding relationships with major Canadian banks, regularly acting for syndicates consisting of domestic and international financial institutions, as well as its work on behalf of private equity funds and businesses operating in the mining, energy and TMT sectors.

McCarthy Tétrault maintains a prominent position in the Canadian banking and finance marketplace through its representation of lenders, including many of the country's largest financial institutions, as well as major foreign banks. The group has a strong presence in the structured finance and asset-based lending spaces, with further proficiency in areas such as refinancing, syndicatedfinancing and acquisition finance. The firm also acts on the borrower side, offering significant experience of project finance as well as construction and bridge financing. The team additionally has a strong track record advising on banking regulatory and compliance matters in relation to M&A as well as regulatory investigations and fintech mandates. The firm's expansive sector expertise ranges from TMT and infrastructure to mining and energy. Notable for its impressive reach across Canada, the firm has offices in Québec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as in New York and London, UK.

Torys has an excellent banking and finance practice which handles a broad spectrum of banking work from Toronto and Calgary, 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 relating 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, new legislation and credit card programmes. The handling of digital payment matters complements the firm's excellent holistic offering.

Fasken is a strong choice for mining finance and wider project finance mandates, offering notable expertise in relation to refinancing. It also has a strong bank lending practice and in-depth expertise in acquisition, syndicated and corporate finance. Clients benefit from the firm's offices across Canada and abroad when seeking advice on cross-border transactions. The team is well regarded for its representation of financial institutions in the establishment of revolving credit facilities, and acts for a number of the country's most high-profile banks. On the regulatory side, Fasken's team demonstrates an impressive track record in matters relating to payment systems, credit card programmes and digital product distributions, as well as anti-money laundering matters. It is equally well placed to handle regulatory work relating to large-scale M&A transactions. Fasken has a deep bench of practitioners in its offices across Canada, including Toronto and Montréal.

Norton Rose Fulbright is held in high esteem for the strength of its dedicated asset-based lending practice, with an impressive track record advising chartered banks, as well as aviation, engineering and construction, and healthcare clients. The team is appreciated for its international capabilities and cross-office support, as well as its expansive presence across Canada, with offices in Alberta, Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. The firm is highly capable when it comes to infrastructure and construction finance, and it is well versed in the negotiation of long-term credit facilities. It is recognised for its expertise in complex cross-border matters including debt and acquisition finance.

Stikeman Elliott advises borrowers, lenders and sponsors on a full range of transactions, including acquisition finance and syndicatedcredit facilities. The firm is frequently involved in various deals across the banking and finance space, with notable experience in refinancing and restructuring as well as credit extensions and amendments. It also acts on project financing. The group regularly acts on financing matters on behalf of private equity firms, with notable experience acting on cross-border financings involving lenders and borrowers in the USA and Europe. It is well equipped to handle international transactions and frequently represents domestic and international banks. The firm rounds off its holistic offering with its strength in the regulatory space, including with regard to transactions in the banking space.

Goodmans is a prominent Toronto law firm with a strong banking and finance practice. The team's work has a significant emphasis on corporate lending, acquisition finance and real estate financing transactions. The department demonstrates considerable experience in managing cross-border transactions and represents a number of global financial services companies. It additionally advises on financing facilities involving borrowers in the mining sectors. The team complements its offering with further expertise in refinancing and recapitalisation mandates.

McMillan is home to a well-respected banking and finance team with a strong lender client base and notable experience in amendments to existing credit facility agreements. The firm demonstrates additional strength in syndicated and acquisition finance, as well as refinancings and restructuring mandates.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt houses a highly regarded banking and finance practice that is recognised for its representation of foreign financial institutions, including US banks. The group handles a wide variety of traditional banking work, including both acquisition and project finance, with further expertise in debt financing. The firm advises a number of Canadian lenders and borrowers in connection with domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions, with offices in Montréal, Toronto, Calgary and New York playing key roles. Its clients include traditional and alternative lenders, such as private equity, as well as borrowers in active sectors such as energy. The department also acts for a significant market share of major Canadian banks on regulatory matters arising from capital markets issuances and securitisations. The team is also well equipped to advise on product launches, credit card programs and anti-money laundering compliance.

Bennett Jones operates an established and respected banking group known for its strength in Calgary, as well as maintaining a robust offering in Toronto. Its expertise cuts across a range of sectors, but the firm is especially notable for its handling of financings in fields such as energy, infrastructure and natural resources. The team demonstrates wide-ranging expertise covering mandates such as project and acquisition finance, as well as credit facility amendments. The group is further recognised for its experience handling syndicated and asset financing work. The practice represents a varied client base comprising borrowers as well as hedge funds and other institutional investors. The group is also noted for its activity representing non-traditional lenders and credit providers.

Borden Ladner Gervais has a large banking and finance team operating from offices across Canada. The group acts on a wide variety of lender mandates in the real estate and natural resources sectors, as well as assisting with construction and project finance matters. The firm also often represents clients in cross-border transactions and is regularly called upon by a number of major Canadian and international banks, as well as non-traditional lenders and sponsors. It is noted for its experience in syndicated acquisition financing, secured credit agreements and refinancing. The department additionally handles a wide range of regulatory matters. Its work in this field covers advice on anti-money laundering and the launch of new financial products, including cryptocurrencies.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell is a well-known Canadian law firm with a respected banking and finance practice. The firm has notable expertise in mining finance, as well as advising clients on matters across other industry sectors, including construction, real estate and energy, with a further presence in the technology market. The group frequently assists with the restructuring and amendment of credit facilities, as well as advising on project financing and mortgage loans. It offers additional proficiency in distressed debt lending and syndicatedfinance, and often acts for foreign lenders on cross-border financing transactions. The department attracts further recognition for its non-traditional lender representation.

Dentons Canada represents several major domestic banks in connection with their Canadian and cross-border financing transactions. The team's expertise encompasses syndicated loans as well as acquisition, construction, project and refinancing matters. The firm is well known for its extensive international reach; this continues to be a major benefit for clients, with cross-office support allowing the firm to offer a wide range of specialist expertise as and when it is required.

Aird & Berlis is a Toronto-based outfit with wide-ranging skills in the banking and finance sphere. The firm offers strength in acquisition, syndicated and project financings, as well as refinancings and asset-based loans. Its client roster comprises major Canadian and international financial institutions and private equity firms, as well as borrowers in the energy and mining sectors.

Gowling WLG is experienced in all manner of banking and finance matters, includingsyndicated loans, fund structure arrangements and refinancings, as well as aviation, construction and project financing transactions. The group is adept at advising both borrowers and major Canadian and international lenders. The firm offers significant expertise from its Toronto office.

Miller Thomson is a well reputed firm assisting a roster of high-profile clients, including major Canadian and international lenders, as well as borrowers in a variety of sectors, including the food and beverage, telecommunication and real estate industries. The firm is adept at handling acquisition financing, asset-based lending and financing amendment matters, as well as refinancings and reorganisations. The group has a significant presence across Canada, with offices in Alberta, Ontario, Québec and British Columbia.