A preeminent figure in the financial services industry, Blair has decades of experience advising Canada’s leading financial institutions on regulatory matters and industry best practices, and has acted as counsel on some of the country’s most complex and novel issues in his field.Blair is co-head of the firm’s Financial Services, Bank Regulatory and Insurance Regulatory practices, and is co-head of the Payments and Cards Practice. He advises on corporate and regulatory issues relating to financial institutions, as well as on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance in the financial services industry.Blair is known for his in-depth understanding of all matters relating to the Bank Act. In addition, he has extensive experience in insurance and bank regulatory matters, banking and debt finance as well as payments and cards.
Torys
Widely admired for its formidable regulatory offering, Torys stands out for its record in complex banking M&A as well as day-to-day compliance matters. It additionally handles lending work, where it primarily advises borrowers on corporate financings; less frequently, the group also represents financial services clients on lending transactions. Adam Delean co-leads the banking and debt finance practice and advised Ontario Power Generation on a financing with with Canada Infrastructure Bank to support early works expenditures. Other transactional contacts include banking and debt finance co-head Amanda Balasubramanian; Calgary-based Kevin Fougere, who is highly regarded for energy-related issues; and Tom Zverina. Go-to financial institutions expert Blair Keefe jointly leads the regulatory department alongside Jill McCutcheon. Recently promoted regulatory partner Eli Monas and Calgary-based associate Tyrel Henderson are also recommended. Named lawyers are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘For us, the key distinction is Blair Keefe and Eli Monas’ intimate knowledge of the inner workings of banking regulation and regulators. They are strategic, as well as substantive.’
- ‘We value the team’s unparalleled knowledge of the inner workings of the regulator - who to speak to, when, how etc. It makes our lives much much easier.’
Key clients
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Bank of Montreal
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank
- National Bank of Canada
- The Bank of Nova Scotia
- Intact Financial Corporation
- Franco-Nevada Corporation
- Deutsche Bank Securities
- Brookfield Business Partners
- Sagard Credit Partners
- Enbridge
- Ontario Power Generation
- Digital Commerce Bank
- Orion Mine Finance
- CPP Credit Investments
- 123Dentist
- Home Capital Group
- Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan
- Innovation Credit Union
- Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union
- BNP Paribas
- Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union
- Capital One Shopping Canada
- Odyssey Trust Company
- Government of Canada
Work highlights
- Advised Ontario Power Generation on a financing with with Canada Infrastructure Bank to finance early works expenditures in connection with the Darlington small modular reactor project.
- Advised Toronto-Dominion Bank, as Canadian counsel, on its proposed $13.4bn acquisition of First Horizon Corporation.
- Advised Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan on the regulatory aspects of its proposed sale of Concentra Bank and Concentra Trust to Equitable Bank.
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The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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Leading individuals
Amanda Balasubramanian is a leading lawyer in commercial banking and debt financings in Canada. Her legal acumen, market experience and proactive approach help move her clients’ goals and business strategy forward.Co-head of Torys’ Banking and Debt Finance Practice, Amanda represents lenders, sponsors and borrowers in domestic, international and global transactions, including acquisition finance, private equity and leveraged finance, liquidity financings, public and private offerings of debt securities, and streaming and royalty-based financings. Fund clients and lenders rely on her experience in designing fund finance products, including subscription facilities, NAV facilities and co-investment programs.Amanda’s work for clients extends to restructuring transactions, where she represents clients in debtor-in-possession and exit financings, as well as stream financings and the resultant intercreditor relationships.
Adam is one of Canada’s leading banking and finance lawyers, with decades of experience and market insight in corporate banking, leveraged finance and structured finance. Adam works closely with lenders and borrowers on transactions such as bank credit facilities, Canadian and U.S. bond financings, structured finance transactions, mezzanine financings and derivatives. He has particular experience in cross-border and international financings and is the chair of the firm’s India practice group. Clients also look to Adam’s robust knowledge for guidance on compliance matters related to their financing arrangements.
A leading banking and finance lawyer, Kevin gives strategic and transaction-oriented counsel across the spectrum of corporate lending and project finance. Kevin has extensive experience advising corporate clients and financial institutions on a wide range of financing transactions, including project financing, syndicated bank transactions, bond financings, cross-border financings, acquisition financings and asset and reserve based lending, as well as advising on general corporate and commercial matters. Kevin works with clients in a wide range of industries, including on financings in the oil and gas, energy services and renewable power sectors.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Adam Delean, Amanda Balasubramanian, Blair Keefe, Jill McCutcheon