Corporate/Commercial: The Elite
Canada Guide 2025 : British Columbia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 604 631 3300About
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blakes has the preeminent Corporate & Commercial practice in B.C. We have significant expertise in industries including private equity, infrastructure, mining, hydro and power, LNG, aquaculture, engineering, technology, manufacturing, retail, tourism, healthcare, government, and the evolving cannabis sector.
We are known for our expertise in:
- Medium to large private M&A (domestic, cross-border and international), acting for strategic and financial buyers and sellers;
- Private Equity engagements and regarded as one of B.C.’s leading Private Equity practices.
- Technology-based transactions including financing, licensing, and joint venture arrangements as well as business process outsourcing;
- Commercial agreements in natural resource-based industries and other large commercial projects; and
- Cannabis and hemp industry, including regulatory related matters, financings, joint ventures, license arrangements and commercial agreements.
We work alongside U.S. and international law firms and advisers, assisting clients with complex legal issues specific to Canadian operations or international in scope that extend into Canada. We are skilled at managing multiple elements of major complex mandates.
Chambers Review
Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a top law firm in Vancouver for commercial and M&A matters, handling a wide range of both public and private transactions. The team is frequently involved in technology-based deals, as well as advising on healthcare, mining and financial services transactions. It also offers additional expertise to clients operating in the cannabis sector. The group has a strong track record of advising on private equity and venture financing work, as well as matters of corporate governance. It stands out for its experience of multiparty and multi-jurisdictional mandates.
Work Highlights
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon acted for Instacart on its USD660 million initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They offer leadership in the industry and knowledge of global impacts. Blakes is the leading firm for our sector."
"They're a leader in this space in Canada in terms of depth of breadth of engagements. There's no doubt they have that acumen for both public and private and larger and smaller clients."
"When you show up with Blakes at your side you get respect from the other side because they know it’s going to be easier instead of painful, and you know nothing is going to be missed or mishandled."
"They offer leadership in the industry and knowledge of global impacts. Blakes is the leading firm for our sector."
"They're a leader in this space in Canada in terms of depth of breadth of engagements. There's no doubt they have that acumen for both public and private and larger and smaller clients."
"When you show up with Blakes at your side you get respect from the other side because they know it’s going to be easier instead of painful, and you know nothing is going to be missed or mishandled."
Notable Practitioners
Based in Vancouver, Bob Wooder has a strong reputation for mergers and acquisitions, as well as capital markets transactions. He is especially well known for his work representing clients in the mining sector.
"I was very impressed with how he led the transaction and negotiation and was able to win deal points for us that I wasn't expecting to get, but he just had a great feel for the negotiation."
"Bob has a wealth of experience and provides very pragmatic counsel."
Arash Amouzgar has a growing reputation in British Columbia for his work on a variety of private equity and M&A transactions.
"He's an excellent lawyer who is well liked by clients and counterparties."
"He's been a phenomenal partner for our business."
Joan Chambers represents clients in a range of transactions, including M&A deals and joint ventures, as well as advising on regulatory matters. She is based in Vancouver, and her expertise cuts across sectors including technology, aquaculture and cannabis.
"Joan is a fantastic lawyer."
"Far beyond a legal adviser, Joan has become our trusted business partner and personal confidante through an extremely complex transaction."
Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
British Columbia
Members
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP