Pensions & Benefits
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 877 973 5500About
Provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP
Stikeman Elliott delivers strategic, innovative legal solutions to employers, administrators, and other stakeholders in navigating the complex, multi-jurisdictional landscape of Canadian pensions and benefits law. Our specialists are recognized experts in their field, and are supported by our strong corporate, securities, labour and employment, tax, banking, and other groups to advise clients on multi-disciplinary issues. As the first law firm in Canada with pensions practitioners in common law and civil law jurisdictions in Canada, we are uniquely situated to advise national and multi-jurisdictional employers.
Members of our Group call upon deep and thorough knowledge of the regulatory regime in which pension and benefits plans operate to advise clients on matters ranging from day-to-day administration, to ongoing regulatory compliance, to plan drafting and design. We also regularly advise on the complex rules governing the investment and efficient structuring of pension plan assets, as well as de-risking and other strategies.
Clients receive creative and practical solutions for pensions and benefits issues that arise in the context of M&A, financing and insolvency mandates. Furthermore, our lawyers have acted on almost every major pensions and insolvency matter in Canada, advising companies, monitors, and other pension stakeholders in this complex and evolving area of law. www.canadianemploymentpensionlaw.com
Chambers Review
Stikeman Elliott fields an able group recognised for its expertise in the pensions and benefits aspects of M&A. The firm is also highlighted for its experience advising on the administration of federally regulated plans. It has further skills advising on investment management and restructuring matters in the pensions space. With offices across the country, Stikeman's team includes accomplished pensions lawyers based in Toronto and Montréal.
Work Highlights
- Stikeman Elliott provided pension governance, investment structuring and administrative advice for many of Canada's largest national pension plans, including for Air Canada, OTTP, Toyota Canada and more.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Stikeman Elliott are excellent at navigating complex situations. They have a team with varied expertise and are very timely in responding."
"Stikeman Elliott have an ability to understand and resolve issues in a practical and business-friendly manner."
"The lawyers we have worked with at Stikeman Elliott have demonstrated a good ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters."
"The team is efficient and service levels and responsiveness are excellent. I know that if something urgent arises, I will have the support I need right away."
"The team has a high level of expertise with creative thinking, particularly on transaction and they are always very responsive."
"Stikeman Elliott are excellent at navigating complex situations. They have a team with varied expertise and are very timely in responding."
"Stikeman Elliott have an ability to understand and resolve issues in a practical and business-friendly manner."
"The lawyers we have worked with at Stikeman Elliott have demonstrated a good ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters."
"The team is efficient and service levels and responsiveness are excellent. I know that if something urgent arises, I will have the support I need right away."
"The team has a high level of expertise with creative thinking, particularly on transaction and they are always very responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Jordan Fremont has amassed a notable reputation for his work advising on the pensions elements of high-value M&A transactions and assisting with the tax aspects of employee benefits. Based in Stikeman Elliott's Toronto office, his practice also encompasses regulatory compliance, governance, and plan administration matters.
"Jordan is a true pension expert and, moreover, a personable and responsive counsel. He always provides practical and strategic legal advice and support in a timely manner."
"They give clear, well-documented and well-though-out advice."
"Jordan is excellent. He is extremely knowledgeable, understands the market and provides valuable insight."
"Jordan gives sound advice to us and I appreciate that we can hop on a call to understand the concepts, options and ask questions."
"Jordan is extremely knowledgeable and very responsive and thoughtful."
Mark Firman is a well-established lawyer based in Stikeman Elliott's Montréal office. He has acted on a number of pension investments, structurings and administration matters. His work also includes advising on M&A and joint ventures.
"Mark has a high level of knowledge and sophistication, together with having been in-house counsel as well."
Natasha vandenHoven is based in Stikeman Elliott's Toronto office and is well versed in pension administrations and restructurings. Seen to act on a variety of pension boards as well as for clients in the aviation and education sectors, she also advises on regulatory and investment structuring matters.
"Natasha is an expert who can relate to and understand what her clients need. She also anticipates and proactively solves potential issues before they become problems."
"Natasha is a pleasure to work with - she is very responsive, demonstrates a high level of understanding of our issues and the relevant law."
"Natasha has high level expertise that she applies in developing creative solutions."
"I have the utmost confidence that the work Natasha performs and oversees will be completed with care and attention to detail, and with sensitivity to the broader context of the transaction."
Ranked Lawyers at
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Nationwide - Canada