Private Equity: Buyouts
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 863 2400About
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blakes has one of the strongest and most experienced private equity practices in Canada.
As a national team, we drive innovative investment structures and strategic thinking, with a depth of industry knowledge and perspectives from across the country.
Our private equity team spans various legal specialty areas, including M&A, capital markets, competition, foreign investment review, tax, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, pensions, benefits and executive compensation
We provide strategic advice and legal counsel at each stage of the investment lifecycle: fund formation, fund management and governance, financing, management of portfolio companies and exit strategies, as well as Canadian and international investment-related acquisitions and dispositions.
Working closely with our clients as both buyers and sellers, our team provides advice when formulating a strategy and structuring and executing an investment-related transaction, from sourcing investment opportunities and financing through to buyouts, going-private transactions, M&A, initial public offerings and other restructuring and exit strategies.
Chambers Review
Blake, Cassels & Graydon operates an active deal practice in private equity, with a significant national scope. The group demonstrates equal strength acting for buyers and sellers on domestic and cross-border buyout, investment and exit transactions. It also stands out for its representation of US funds in connection with their Canadian investments, supported by the firm's office in New York. With impressive Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal-based lawyers, the team has experience handling private equity buyouts in an array of active sectors, including technology.
Work Highlights
- Blakes advised Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners on its CAD1.2 billion joint acquisition of Montréal-based marine and environmental services company LOGISTEC alongside Blue Wolf Capital Partners.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Blakes lawyers execute at a high level, don't require hand-holding and are genuinely wonderful people to work with."
"The team is very strong, helping us efficiently and effectively complete our transactions. They are very responsive and their service is of a high quality."
"The team at Blake, Cassels & Graydon, across all departments, is dedicated to our success. They provide us with exceptional counsel. They are always very timely and service-oriented."
"They are responsive, efficient, and offer a good blend of being very commercial but also taking care of administrative stuff very effectively."
"The work is done correctly and efficiently, and we never have difficulty in getting prompt responses from the team."
"The Blakes lawyers execute at a high level, don't require hand-holding and are genuinely wonderful people to work with."
"The team is very strong, helping us efficiently and effectively complete our transactions. They are very responsive and their service is of a high quality."
"The team at Blake, Cassels & Graydon, across all departments, is dedicated to our success. They provide us with exceptional counsel. They are always very timely and service-oriented."
"They are responsive, efficient, and offer a good blend of being very commercial but also taking care of administrative stuff very effectively."
"The work is done correctly and efficiently, and we never have difficulty in getting prompt responses from the team."
Notable Practitioners
Vancouver-based John-Paul Bogden has a wealth of experience in the private equity space, assisting various clients, from tech players to pension scheme providers.
"John-Paul Bogden is an excellent lawyer. He excels in all categories."
"John-Paul is a trusted adviser to our firm."
"John-Paul is an excellent resource for us on all types of deals. He has a diverse skill set and provides valuable counsel. He knows the market and provides creative solutions to complex situations."
"John-Paul is a fantastic, world-class lawyer."
Montréal-based Patrick Menda is highly experienced in the representation of private equity firms in significant buyout mandates.
"Patrick is very knowledgeable and his business acumen can be critical in helping navigate and negotiate the terms of a share purchase agreement."
"Patrick is very reliable. He always picks up the phone, and he has great instincts. He gives sound and practical advice."
Kurt Sarno is a Toronto-based lawyer with a growing practice in the sphere of private equity. He primarily assists clients with management and inbound buyouts.
"Kurt is an exceptional lawyer and an important part of our deal team."
"He is an exceptional attorney who is well versed in international M&A."
"Kurt Sarno is a fantastic lawyer with great commercial awareness."
Rory ffrench is based in the Toronto office, where he is frequently active on buyout transactions alongside a complementary practice advising on corporate structuring, joint ventures and commercial contracts.
"Rory does an excellent job and is incredibly responsive."
"Rory is one of the smartest lawyers I have ever worked with and is equally humble about his expertise."
"Rory is a fantastic attorney and great advocate for us as his client."
Ranked Lawyers at
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Nationwide - Canada