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Fasken > The Legal 500 Rankings

Canada > Dispute resolution: British Columbia Tier 1

Fasken‘s British Columbia disputes capabilities take in class action defence, administrative and public law matters, corporate and securities litigation, contractual disputes, white collar and competition litigation and arbitration. The team, which is lauded by one client as ‘dedicated and capable’, is frequently instructed by corporate clients in the tech, healthcare, mining and pharma segments. Tracey Cohen KC and Andrew Nathanson KC share leadership of the department. Cohen specializes in class actions, oppression proceedings, derivative actions, pension litigation and professional negligence mandates. Nathanson has notable experience in commercial litigation and white-collar crime matters. Additional key contacts include Geoffrey Cowper KC (commercial law, public law and human rights); Andrew Borrell (class action defence); and ‘legal prodigy’ Gavin Cameron, who has focused his practice on commercial disputes and white-collar criminal investigations. Alexandra Mitretodis departed for an in-house role in October 2024.

Energy and natural resources > Mining

The powerhouse mining practice at Fasken remains a market leader, harnessing the deep bench strength of locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City, as well as offices overseas in London, Johannesburg and Beijing, to advise issuers, underwriters and major international mining companies (such as Barrick Gold, Glencore, BHP) involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The practice is headed in Toronto by M&A and project finance authority John Turner, who brings experience to assisting resources companies active throughout Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe; and Andrew Gabrielson in Vancouver, who specializes in transactions and commercial agreements related to the exploration, development, acquisition and divestiture of mining and energy projects. Brian Graves in Toronto manages plans of arrangement, complex takeover bids, public and private securities offerings and securities regulatory matters. Other key figures include Johanna Fipke in Vancouver, who provides expertise in M&A, land tenure, finance and project exploration; Frank Mariage, who specializes in mineral exploration in Montreal; and Michael Bourassa in Toronto, an expert in international mining due diligence issues.

Canada > Indigenous law Tier 1

The ‘strategic’ team at Fasken is routinely instructed by clients in the energy, oil-and-gas, mining, forestry, real estate, transportation and aquaculture sectors for its expertise in M&A, securities and tax transactions, as well as litigation involving Indigenous issues. The practice is directed by Vancouver-based Kevin O’Callaghan, who specializes in litigation, Indigenous consultation and regulatory mandates, and environmental assessments. Additional names to note include Quebec City-based associate counsel Pierre-Christian Labeau, who majors on legal and policy issues relating to mining, forestry and energy development, including the duty to consult; and Calgary-based Brenden Hunter (energy regulatory, Indigenous and environmental matters). ‘Collaborative, solutions-oriented’ Kai Alderson, who is based in Vancouver, focuses on corporate transactions and joint venture agreements, as well as on project development mandates. The practice was strengthened with the January 2024 arrival of former Justice Minster of Canada Hon. David Lametti KC.

Canada > Labour and employment Tier 1

The ‘phenomenal’ team at Fasken is regularly instructed by aerospace, telecoms, financial services, energy and logistics sectors for its labour and employment expertise. Core areas of expertise include contract review, training, hirings and dismissals, labour board proceedings and class action defence. Leadership of the group is shared between Vancouver-based David Wong, Toronto-based Shane Todd and Montreal-based Emilie Paquin-Holmested, all of whom specialize in labour, employment and human rights law. Also noted are Montreal-based Stéphane Fillion, praised for his ‘great commercial sense' and 'pragmatic solutions’; Magali Cournoyer-Proulx (advisory employment work and litigation); and Deborah Furtado. In Toronto, Ontario managing partner Karen Sargeant; Alix Herber (‘practical and expedient advice'); Jackie VanDerMeulen (labour arbitrations, federal and provincial labour board matters); and counsel Brian Burkett are additional names to note.

Canada > Technology Tier 1

The practice group at Fasken is well-placed to advise on large systems implementations and outsourcing arrangements, Internet business models, e-commerce, consumer protection and data protection matters, as well as M&A transactions involving the tech sector. Additional areas of expertise include developing cloud and outsourcing strategies and creating governance, IT security and privacy policies. Leadership is shared between Toronto-based Andrew Alleyne (tech-related contracting), Andrew Nunes (TMT practice co-lead) and Will Shaw; Shahrooz Nabavi from Vancouver (tech transactions); and Constantinos Ragas from Montreal (M&A and private equity transactions). Also noted is Vancouver-based Karam Bayrakal, who assists clients with strategy development, contract negotiations and relationship governance for tech projects.

Canada > Telecoms Tier 1

The practice group at Fasken is well-placed to advise on a wide range of telecoms and broadcasting matters. Particular areas of expertise include advising telecoms service providers, radio and television programming providers, satellite television distributors and satellite service providers on network deployment requirements, anti-spam legislation and specialized communications contracts. In addition, the team regularly acts for clients before the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, the Department of Innovation and the Copyright Board. Ottawa-based Leslie Milton heads up the group and specializes in regulatory telecoms matters; she has niche expertise in assisting service providers with access to municipal rights of way. Additional key contacts at the Ottawa office include communications and administrative law specialist Scott Prescott; and TMT practice group co-lead Gerald Kerr-Wilson. In Toronto, Barbara Miller handles telecoms transactions. Paul Burbank, who provides commercial and regulatory advice, is the key associate-level contact.

Canada > AI Tier 2

The AI practice at Fasken pairs the bench strength of 7 national offices and the experience of its team to advise startups and household name tech multinationals across such sectors as insurance, mining, aerospace and pharmaceuticals. The group brings strength to assisting with copyright and privacy issues related to datasets and AI outputs and legislation governing the development and use of AI systems. In addition, the team guides AI corporates throughout the entire life cycle of their businesses, from company formation and product development to M&A and going public transactions. The practice is headed by Ariel Laver in Vancouver, who brings expertise to assisting startups with financing transactions, and tech privacy compliance and risk management expert Christopher Ferguson and Andrew Alleyne, who specializes in the tech elements of M&A transactions, in Toronto.

Canada > Banking and finance

Fasken’s banking and finance offering is well distributed across its national offices, which is reflected in a broad practice that shines in mining finance, corporate finance and regulatory matters, among other spheres. Key names for transactional work in Toronto include department co-head David Johnson who recently advised a syndicate of banks, agented by Bank of Montreal, on the $1.3m financing of the acquisition and take private of Lookers Group. The Toronto team also includes Thomas Meagher, who is highly regarded for mine finance; national department co-head Dev Singh, who is highlighted as a ‘rising star on Bay Street’; and Daniel Conrad, who is ‘one of the hardest-working lawyers in Canada’. The group additionally draws on fellow national co-heads Angela Onesi (Montreal) and Andrew Jackson (Vancouver) as well as Scott Sangster, who leads the area in Calgary. On the regulatory front, Toronto-based Koker Christensen is widely recognized as a market leader; he co-heads the financial services practice together with Montreal-based Nicolas Faucher.

Canada > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Fasken's practice group covers the gamut of Canadian competition law work, namely M&A review, cartel matters, abuse of dominance cases and competition and consumer protection litigation. A recent mandate of note saw the group advise Cisco on its acquisition of Accedian, successfully obtaining approval from the Competition Bureau. Huy Do and Antonio Di Domenico, both at the Toronto office, share leadership of the practice. Do focuses on antitrust, marketing and foreign investment law matters; Di Domenico’s practice takes in merger reviews, civil and criminal investigations and class action litigation. Also noted is Chris Margison, who draws on experience as special advisor to the Commissioner of Competition.

Canada > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Specialists in the mining sector, with 7 national offices and a presence in London and Johannesburg, the corporate group at Fasken brings expertise to advising major public and private companies, private equity funds, investors, business owners and project sponsors involved in domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity transactions, corporate reorganizations and infrastructure projects. The firm’s client roster spans sectors ranging from mining, financial services and manufacturing to tech, construction and telecoms. The team is headed in Toronto by Sean Stevens, who brings experience to M&A, restructurings and complex infrastructure transactions, such as public private partnerships (PPP); and Sarah Gingrich in Calgary, an expert in securities and capital markets, shareholder activism and corporate governance. Other key figures of notes include mining sector authority John Turner; public M&A and shareholder activism expert Brad Freelan and Claire Gowdy in Toronto; and Jean Michel Lapierre and Caitlin Rose in Montreal.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Quebec Tier 2

Fasken's Quebec disputes practice is well-versed in representing clients involved in mining, financial, automotive, pharmaceuticals and construction disputes in litigation and arbitration. The group is jointly directed by Marc-André Fabien and Annie Bernard, both of whom are based in Montreal. Fabien specializes in commercial and shareholders’ disputes and securities litigation. Bernard majors on construction and class action litigation. Additional names to note include Éric Simard, who handles civil and commercial litigation and arbitration; and Vincent Cérat Lagana, who brings expertise to shareholder disputes, transactional litigation and corporate governance litigation. Nicholas Blanchette left the firm in December 2023.

Canada > Infrastructure projects Tier 2

Fasken’s projects practice scores highly for its ‘extensive domestic and international experience in infrastructure projects’, with its recent work spanning projects across Canada and the US. The team kept particularly busy on transport mandates during 2023/24, where it acted for a mix of public authorities and project consortiums on transit, road and bridge projects, among others. Toronto-based Ella Plotkin anchors the group and is acting alongside projects specialists Brian Kelsall (Toronto) and Thomas Barlow (Toronto) to advise Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on the Ontario Line Subway P3 project. Toronto-based procurement partner Adam Lewinberg is also recommended.

Canada > Insurance Tier 2

The full-spectrum practice at Fasken is an increasingly prominent team for both insurance litigation and non-contentious matters. The group additionally stands out for its national coverage and ability to lean on complimentary areas across the firm, including financial services, corporate and dispute resolution. Toronto-based financial services co-head Koker Christensen is a go-to specialist for transactional and regulatory insurance and retains close relationships with major Canadian and global insurers and reinsurers. Other recommended names for corporate and regulatory work include Montreal-based financial services co-head Nicolas Faucher; and Toronto’s Craig Bellefontaine. Key contentious practitioners include Michael Parrish and Jonathan Lim — both of whom operate from Vancouver; and ‘old-school litigator’s litigator’ David Rosenbaum in Toronto.

Canada > International trade Tier 2

During 2023/24, Fasken’s international trade practice kept particularly busy advising on economic sanctions — mainly Russia-related sanctions — and customs law issues, including matters relating to customs valuations and tariff classifications. The team also continues to handle trade remedies and trade treaty-related work. Clifford Sosnow, who splits his time between Toronto and Ottawa, chairs the international trade and investment group and specializes in trade, investment and anti-bribery law. Ottawa-based associate Christopher Little is also noted.

Canada > Pensions Tier 2

Fasken's pensions group is regularly instructed by employers, plan administrators, financial institutions, governments, pension regulators and benefits consultants seeking support with regulatory, governance, litigation, insolvency, investment and transactional matters. The department is directed by Toronto-based Ross Gascho, who specializes in the implementation, administration, funding, governance and wind-up of pension, group benefit and profit-sharing plans. Additional contacts of note include Michael Wolpert, who splits his time between Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver; Dominique Monet (Ottawa and Montreal); and Toronto-based associate Allyson Marta, who majors on pension plan compliance, governance, investments and administration.

Canada > Public procurement Tier 2

The practice group at Fasken regularly assists private companies and federal bodies with high-profile public procurement projects matters across the country. The team is directed by Peter Mantas, who also co-leads the firm’s white-collar defence and investigations group, has substantial experience acting as lead litigation procurement counsel, in addition to international and domestic arbitrations. Also noted are Marcia Mills, who specializes in procurement and government contracts, national security matters and national and international trade agreements; and Alexandra Logvin, who handles procurement dispute resolution in the context of Canada’s domestic and international trade agreements.

Canada > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Transport > Other transport Tier 2

Canada > Capital markets Tier 3

Fasken is active in debt and equity capital markets work across Canada, with specialists in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary. The firm’s formidable mining strength is reflected in its securities work, while it also handles a steady stream of offerings — on behalf of both issuers and managers — in the financial services, tech and food and beverage spheres. Calgary’s Sarah Gingrich co-leads the team alongside Toronto-based Sean Stevens. Additional key contacts include global mining head John Turner (Toronto) and Jean-Pierre Chamberland, who leads the securities and M&A group in Montreal.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Alberta Tier 3

Fasken's dispute resolution capabilities in Alberta encompass arbitration and litigation for domestic and international disputes involving construction, class actions, securities, pensions, defamation and professional liability. The practice group is jointly led by Karen Wyke and Gulu Punia from Calgary. Wyke majors on commercial litigation involving the energy, pharmaceutical and construction sectors, while Punia specializes in shareholder disputes, oppression remedies, fraud claims and breach of contract actions. Alex Kotkas is also noted for his litigation and arbitration expertise. Darren Reed left the firm in October 2023 following his appointment to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.

Canada > Dispute resolution: Ontario Tier 3

Fasken's Ontario disputes practice specializes in class action defence, product liability litigation and securities litigation, as it counts companies in the automotive, energy, financial services and tech sectors among its clients. Toronto-based department lead Sarah Armstrong has focused her practice on commercial litigation, arbitration and class action defence, as well as administrative law matters. Additional names to note include Peter Pliszka (product liability, class action, commercial and insurance litigation matters); Ottawa-based Peter Mantas, who co-leads the firm’s white collar defence and investigations group; and Ontario litigation vice chair Vera Toppings (class actions and complex business and contractual disputes).

Energy and natural resources > Power Tier 3

Fasken’s power work is strongly weighted towards regulatory matters, where it acts for major utilities, such as BC Hydro and Fortis, on their dealings with government regulators. Environmental and Indigenous law-related issues are also practice strong suits. Transactional partners Ron Ezekiel (Vancouver) and Brendan Sawatsky (Calgary) co-head the energy and climate group and are well versed in all key energy spheres. Christopher Bystrom (Vancouver) is recommended for power regulation. Former firm managing partner, Peter Feldberg, left in December 2023.

Canada > Environment Tier 3

Alongside its activity in contaminated sites and transactional support matters, Fasken’s environmental law group frequently interacts with its regulatory and Indigenous law practices to provide full-spectrum support on environmental assessments and environmental defence litigation. The firm’s top-tier mining offering translates into significant work in that sphere, while the team also handles energy, infrastructure, real estate and waste management-related matters. Toronto-based Rosalind Cooper ‘makes her points against opposing counsel in a measured professional manner’ and co-heads the national department together with Montreal-based Pierre-Olivier Charlebois. Also noted in Vancouver are energy specialist Ron Ezekiel and environmental litigator Kinji Bourchier.

Canada > Intellectual property Tier 3

Split between its eight Canadian offices, Fasken’s national IP offering encompasses all key pillars of IP law — including patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs and trade secrets — where it provides full-spectrum support on litigation and non-contentious matters. The firm is particularly dominant in Quebec, as evidenced by its impressive bench in Montreal, which includes high-profile IP litigator Julie Desrosiers; IP head David Turgeon, who specializes in IP litigation; trademark partner Jean-Philippe Mikus; Michael Shortt, whose increasingly prominent trademark practice spans litigation and transactional work; and talented IP and TMT-focused associate Patricia Hénault. The national group also draws on Armand Benitah, who leads the team in Toronto, and Ottawa-based TMT expert Jay Kerr-Wilson.

Canada > International expertise Tier 3

Canada > Media and entertainment Tier 3

Fasken’s premier communications offering is reflected in its media and entertainment practice, which has an emphasis on representing multinational telecoms, broadcasting and internet companies. The multidisciplinary department is co-led by communications co-chair Barbara Miller (Toronto); TMT co-head Jay Kerr-Wilson (Ottawa); and fellow TMT co-head Leslie Milton (Ottawa). The group also draws on Christian Leblanc (Montreal), who is noted for defamation and news media-related work.

Canada > Real estate Tier 3

Fasken channels the bench strength of 7 national offices and the experience of its real estate team to advise pension funds, REITs, financial institutions, public organizations, public hospitals and developers involved in a broad span of matters across the practice space. The team is jointly headed by Andrea Centa in Toronto, who brings expertise to acquisitions, dispositions and real estate finance and the development of large-scale projects through joint ventures and co-ownerships; Carmine Boskovich in Vancouver, who assists with major infrastructure projects, and who specializes in matters across the energy, mining and transport sectors; Mariella Lo Papa in Montreal, who draws on extensive experience assisting property managers, brokers, landlords and tenants with commercial leasing; and Paul Logan in Calgary, who assists clients with mortgage financings and purchase and sale transactions of office, industrial and retail properties. Other key figures include senior partner Richard Clare and project development specialist Nicolas Leblanc in Montreal; Sarah Batut in Vancouver, who handles matters involving master-planned communities; and Allyson Roy, who manages complex transactions in Toronto.

Canada > Tax Tier 3

Fasken's tax capabilities encompass support with M&A transactions, tax treaty interpretation, transfer pricing, commodity VAT mandates and tax litigation. Companies in the automotive, energy, financial services and tech segments routinely feature on the group’s client roster. Toronto-based Christopher Steeves steers the practice and specializes in the income tax aspects of domestic and cross-border M&A. Vancouver-based Michael Coburn and Montreal-based Alain Ranger are additional key contacts for advisory and transactional tax matters.

Canada > Cannabis Tier 4

Canada > Construction Tier 4

Fasken stands out for its thriving contentious construction practice, which represents owners, developers, architects and engineers, among others, in the full range of judicial and arbitral proceedings, including insurance claims and engineering or architectural defects. The group also combines with its infrastructure, mining and energy teams to handle project development work. Vancouver-based David Curtis specializes exclusively in construction disputes and co-heads the national practice together with Montreal-based litigator Annie Bernard and Toronto’s Edward Lynde, whose experience encompasses procurement, development and dispute resolution. Litigators Brook Greenberg KC in Vancouver and Arif Chowdhury in Calgary are also of note.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 4

A ‘strategic group regarding public utility regulation in BC’, Fasken’s close links with utilities such as FortisBC Energy pays dividends and it attracts a significant volume of regulatory work in British Columbia and beyond. The team additionally leverages the wider firm’s top-tier Indigenous law practice, as well as its corporate and environmental law offerings, to provide full-service support on oil and gas matters. Recommended names in Vancouver include energy and regulatory litigator Matthew Ghikas; overarching energy and climate group head Ron Ezekiel; and regulatory energy partner Christopher Bystrom. In Calgary, transactional energy practitioner Brendan Sawatsky is noted.