Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s premier insurance offering is well weighted between market-shaping transactions, complex regulatory issues and strategic contentious work. Routinely sought after by major domestic and global insurers and reinsurers, the team is also a popular choice to represent insured entities on high-stakes disputes. On the litigation front, Calgary-based David Tupper is widely recognized for the breadth of his expertise, which spans subrogation actions, coverage actions, and liability defence cases, among others. The insurance litigation team also draws on Montreal-based Matthew Liben, who has extensive experience in representing US and Europe-based insurance companies and syndicates; and Calgary’s Keith Marlowe QC, who has an emphasis on insurance coverage and defence. Toronto-based financial services head Paul Belanger is a go-to specialist for non-contentious work. Also recommended in Toronto for transactional and regulatory insurance matters are Bonny Murray, Jake Gilbert and next-generation partner Michael Elder.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada
- Canada Life Assurance Company
- Chubb, Temple Insurance Company
- Definity Financial Corp (formerly Economical Mutual Insurance Company)
- Elimetal
- Emani Mutual Insurance
- Green Rise Foods
- Hub International
- Insurance Bureau of Canada
- Intact Financial Corporation
- Lloyd’s Underwriters and Lloyd's Canada
- McDougall Insurance Brokers
- Ovivo
- Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada
- Sagen MI (formerly Genworth MI Canada)
- Standard Life
- Thinktum
- Zurich Insurance Company
Work highlights
- Advised a group of market insurers (Intact/Chubb/Lloyd’s) on a coverage dispute involving a denial of coverage for a significant pipeline spill of emulsion in a protected nature habitat in Northern Alberta.
- Advised Canada Life Assurance Company on its acquisition of Value Partners Investments, an independent mutual fund.
- Advised McDougall Brokers and Definity Financial Corporation on various acquisitions across Canada.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Tupper, Paul Belanger