Bennett Jones LLP channels the deep bench strength of offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and New York to advise a broad client roster of developers, investors, portfolio managers, landlords, tenants, retailers, financial institutions and municipal districts, on a comprehensive range of matters across the practice space. They range from joint venture development and purchases, financings and leasings to asset transactions and M&A. In addition, the team brings expertise to the real estate and construction aspects of energy and infrastructure projects. The practice is jointly headed by Jane Helmstadter in Toronto, a specialist in transactions involving office, retail and industrial property, multi-family residential developments and renewable energy projects; Alixe Cameron in Calgary, an expert in the development of bareland and conventional condominium projects; and Mark Lewis in Vancouver, who manages senior housing transactions, rail and aviation transportation-related transactions, as well as work in such areas as forestry, pulp, energy and mining. In Toronto, Simon Crawford draws on extensive experience to advise on private equity matters, fund formation, income trusts, joint ventures and the purchase and sale of real estate assets and real estate companies; and John van Gent acts for both landlords and tenants on commercial leasing, sub-leasing and land leasing arrangements. Other key figures include Paul Mantini (also in Toronto), who specializes in lending and project finance matters, and Larry Sandrin in Vancouver, who brings over 40 years in the practice area to manage complex, government-funded infrastructure projects. Richard Burgos joined the Montreal office in August 2023.

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Key clients

  • Calgary Exhibition And Stampede Limited
  • ATCO POWER (2010)
  • Acciona Energy Canada Global
  • RBC Capital Markets
  • Elysium Investments
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
  • Desjardins Capital Markets
  • Pinnacle
  • Keltic Canada Development Co.

Work highlights

  • Acted for Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Limited in connection with agreements with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (the owner of the Calgary Flames) with respect to the development of the new $1.223bn Event centre in the Culture and Entertainment District of Calgary.
  • Acting for Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO company, which has acquired from Suncor Energy a portfolio of wind and solar assets and projects located in Alberta and Ontario for a purchase price of approx. $730m.
  • Acted for Acciona, which acquired through a share purchase a stage wind-powered energy generation project of approx. 280MW on 40,000 acres of land in the County of Forty Mile No. 8, Alberta.

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.

Jane Helmstadter, Alixe Cameron, Mark Lewis

Other key lawyers

Simon Crawford, John van Gent, Paul Mantini, Larry Sandrin, Riley Whitlock, Sergio Custodio, Richard Burgos