Email address
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+1 416 863 2400Chambers Review
Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a top-tier, full-service national law firm with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver. Its prominent tax team is highly sought after for its experience in transactional planning, including a high volume of cross-border M&A work. The firm's diverse offering also features impressive capabilities in transfer pricing and commodity tax, as well as tax controversy and litigation. It has notable expertise across various industry sectors, including energy, infrastructure and transportation, and is also active in the private equity space.
Work Highlights
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon team represented Redpath Sugar in transfer pricing litigation before the Tax Court of Canada.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Blake, Cassels & Graydon has a great team strength and breadth of knowledge across different service areas."
"The lawyers are very knowledgeable, technical and very responsive. They are very easy to work with."
"The practitioners at Blake, Cassels & Graydon have a great ability to diagnose any commercial issue, and have a great sense of what is and isn't market and combining the two."
"The lawyers at Blakes have been able to help us navigate through several very complicated and emerging tax issues."
"They demonstrate strong technical tax knowledge and provide practical solutions to complex issues."
"Blake, Cassels & Graydon has a great team strength and breadth of knowledge across different service areas."
"The lawyers are very knowledgeable, technical and very responsive. They are very easy to work with."
"The practitioners at Blake, Cassels & Graydon have a great ability to diagnose any commercial issue, and have a great sense of what is and isn't market and combining the two."
"The lawyers at Blakes have been able to help us navigate through several very complicated and emerging tax issues."
"They demonstrate strong technical tax knowledge and provide practical solutions to complex issues."
Notable Practitioners
Jeffrey Trossman is a seasoned Toronto-based tax lawyer who assists clients with complex and high-value M&A, disputes and tax audits. He continues to be sought out to work on high-profile deals and investments.
Toronto-based Mark Tonkovich represents clients in high-profile tax enforcement and litigation files. He has worked on several longstanding disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency.
"I rate Mark Tonkovich very strongly. He is our lead contact partner and he brings valuable tax and litigation experience to the team."
"Mark is exactly who you want on your side in a complicated, lengthy and contentious matter. Under his pleasant manner is a fighting spirit that never misses a point or forgets the big picture."
"Mark is top-notch. He knows the law at the forefront of his mind and has a very good practical sense on how to navigate it."
Head of the firm's tax group Paul Stepak is particularly well known for advising clients on tax planning and M&A transactions. He is based in Toronto.
"Paul Stepak is extremely technical, but practical as well."
"Paul is always thinking of our needs and always available to discuss any issues that come up. He's a top-notch adviser that I would recommend over and over again."
Jeffrey Shafer is well versed in both contentious and non-contentious tax work, advising on transfer pricing and M&A transactions. He operates out of the firm's Toronto office.
"Jeffrey Shafer delivers very insightful and fact-based advice on all matters, and we completely value his advice. We look at him as an extension of our team."
"I rate Jeffrey very strongly. He has demonstrated his understanding of the tax issues and has provided thoughtful advice throughout our work together."
"He is a really strong technical lawyer."
Andrew Spiro is a respected practitioner who handles a range of tax matters including those arising from transactions.
"Andrew has a strong understanding of the market and where it is headed."
John Leopardi advises on the tax aspects of corporate transactions and reorganisations.
"John Leopardi has attention to detail, knowledge and business acumen, and is committed to our goals."
"John goes above and beyond to ensure clients are happy and aware of all aspects of the problem before anything is executed."