Investment Funds: Fund Formation
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 863 2400About
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Members of Blake's Investment Products & Asset Management Group are among the profession’s most experienced lawyers in advising clients in the investment management industry. Specifically, we have played a leading role in structuring and implementing domestic and international funds, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), flow-through funds, hedge funds, pooled funds, segregated funds, commodity pools and other complex structures, including exchange-traded notes (ETNs), undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS), derivative-based transactions and other innovative products including Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs).
Our team is particularly skilled in providing sophisticated advice on capital markets activities, including public and exempt offerings, listings of ETFs and ETNs on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), compliance and registration matters, sales and marketing issues, continuous disclosure issues and governance and regulatory matters. Of note, we advised on the launch of over 200 closed-end funds listed on the TSX.
In addition to advising many of Canada’s leading financial institutions, Blake's has led the way in acting on behalf of foreign banks bringing structured note platforms to Canada and has advised with respect to the marketing and sale of UCITS products in Canada.
Chambers Review
Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates a wide-ranging investment funds practice with notable expertise in ETFs, closed-end funds and mutual funds. The investment products and asset management team is also noted for advising sponsors on launching Canadian SPACs. Its lawyers represent asset managers, established financial institutions and overseas banks. The group demonstrates significant experience in structuring domestic and cross-border funds, offering additional guidance on the capital markets and tax aspects of fund matters.
Work Highlights
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised BentallGreenOak on raising its first Canadian value-add real estate funds.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Blakes' in-depth knowledge of the investment fund market is a great asset. This is reflected in the firm's comments and suggestions."
"Blakes is definitely cream of the crop in Canada when it comes to handling our complex and sophisticated matters."
"The firm provides prompt responses and helpful market and regulatory guidance."
"Blakes has specialists who are able to quickly address all our questions."
"Blakes' in-depth knowledge of the investment fund market is a great asset. This is reflected in the firm's comments and suggestions."
"Blakes is definitely cream of the crop in Canada when it comes to handling our complex and sophisticated matters."
"The firm provides prompt responses and helpful market and regulatory guidance."
"Blakes has specialists who are able to quickly address all our questions."
Notable Practitioners
Toronto-based Jeff Glass has an excellent reputation in the investment funds field.
"He is the best I have worked with in the industry. His service level and his knowledge of the law and industry are second to none. He is responsive, always available and very business-oriented."
"Jeff’s experience, industry and regulatory knowledge and connections and his pragmatic, business-minded and service-oriented approach are tremendously valuable to the growth of our business."
Stacy McLean is noted for her representation of clients in a broad range of funds-related M&A and securities regulatory matters. She is based in the firm's Toronto office.
"Stacy McLean is responsive, knowledgeable and a great resource."
"She responds in a timely manner with intelligent feedback, paths or proposals. No matter what the topic, Stacy will ensure the client has the right information to move forward."
Operating from the firm's Toronto office, Kate McGilvray assists clients with the reorganisation of funds. She is also experienced in advising on investments.
"She cares deeply about her clients and their success, and she takes the time to learn about all the nuances of their business."
"Kate is easy to work with and always looks after the best interests of her clients. She is extremely knowledgeable and helpful."
Toronto-based Kim Harle has a notable funds practice and frequently advises clients on investments, formation of funds and other transactional mandates.
"Kim has a deep understanding of our business and assembles a great team that is always responsive and business-minded."
Norbert Knutel has a notable reputation for his fund formation work in the Toronto market.
"Norbert is business-minded in his advice and provides prompt responses with useful market and regulatory guidance."
"Norbert has a great depth of experience and industry knowledge in the structured products space and provides practical advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP