Sandra Abitan

Practice Areas

Sandra is the Managing Partner of the Montreal office. She has played a significant role in the development of the office over the years and has held various leadership roles within the Firm. Sandra is a recognized leader in the insolvency and restructuring practice in Quebec and nationally.

Her clientele is diverse and reflective of the Canadian and international business community – global companies, financial institutions, equity participants, and court officers who have sought her advice in working through reorganizations, recapitalizations, restructurings and strategic acquisitions.

With over 30 years of experience, Sandra has an expertise in cross border and international matters, acting for a number of major private and public corporations operating in a variety of areas. She is lauded for her creative and practical approach to problem solving and finding solutions to complex business and legal problems.

Sandra's expertise and leadership are recognized locally, nationally and internationally, as evidenced by the numerous ranking and awards received over the years. Sandra is recognized as a leader in her field in various publications such as The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory; The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada; Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Business Lawyers; IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms; Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Lawdragon and The Best Lawyers in Canada. In 2021 and in 2022, Sandra was the only Quebec woman included in the International Financial Law Review's Women Leaders list (IFLR1000) for her expertise in insolvency and restructuring. In addition, the International Law Office (ILO) awarded Sandra the Client Choice Award in Insolvency and Restructuring for 2011 Sandra was the only Canadian recipient of this award. She was also named a Woman of Power by Federation CJA (Montreal) and received the Leadership Award from the Association of Quebec Women in Finance.

Sandra is a Past President of the Board of the Turnaround Management Association – Montreal Chapter, a member of board of directors of the Insolvency Institute of Canada, and an active member of other renowned organizations in her areas of expertise.

A firm believer in the importance of developing diversity within the legal profession and fostering an inclusive work environment, Sandra has participated in several projects and committees created for this purpose with the Barreau du Québec. Sandra is also very involved in community work.

Career

Université de Montréal, LL.B.

Bar Admission: Québec, 1990

Professional Memberships

Federation CJA, Co-Chair of the Women in Business Network

Turnaround Management Association, former President of the Board of Montreal

The Insolvency Institute of Canada (Board of Directors)

Canadian Bar Association, Insolvency Section

Former Member of the Barreau du Québec Comité de liaison, Superior Court, Commercial Division

Canadian Insolvency Foundation

American Bankruptcy Institute, Member of the International Committee

International Association of Insolvency Practitioners (Insol International)