Leveraging its international-facing corporate offering, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is a popular choice to advise Canadian and international clients on inbound and outbound M&A, capital markets and private equity transactions. The team also draws on its regulatory expertise to provide complementary support on cross-border competition and national security issues, including Investment Canada Act matters. London managing partner Jeffrey Lloyd, who divides his time between the UK and Toronto, is a go-to adviser for large-scale corporate deals; he recently acted alongside the Toronto office to advise HPS Investment Partners on the Canadian aspects of its C$1.9bn acquisition of the regional aircraft leasing business of Chorus Aviation. Jennifer Maxwell is also recommended in London. New York managing partner Kevin Rusli, who splits his time between New York and Toronto, is a key contact for US-related private equity work.

A corporate powerhouse, Stikeman Elliott LLP is frequently a first port of call for major Canadian and multinational clients on cross-border transactions, including strategic M&A, private equity acquisitions and venture capital investments. Active across all key market segments, the firm handles a particularly high volume of matters in the mining, financial services, energy and tech sectors. The team is equipped to advise on international work from all of its domestic offices, while it also draws on high-profile practitioners across its US and UK platforms. In London, high-profile mining specialist Jay Kellerman is recommended — he also operates from Toronto — together with local managing partner Sherry Roth. In New York, office managing principal Jamie Koumanakos is noted for his expertise in Canadian corporate and securities law.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP eschews the traditional international network model favoured by many of its Bay Street peers, where overseas offices exist primarily to support Canadian law work. Instead, the firm maintains a well-staffed New York practice comprising both US- and Canadian-qualified lawyers. The firm handles a steady stream of inbound and outbound M&A, capital markets and private equity transactions, and it also excels in multi-jurisidictional disputes, with notable expertise across the mining, financial services, real estate, TMT and life sciences industries, among others. Key experts in New York include corporate and securities partner Jeffrey Nadler, who is qualified in Canada, Israel and New York, and US-qualified tax specialist Peter Glicklich, who manages the local office.

Among McCarthy Tétrault’s industry strong suits, its formidable mining, energy, financial services, real estate and TMT offerings are significant sources of cross-border transactions. Alongside its corporate expertise, the firm’s dominant litigation practice also ensures it is a key contender for multi-jurisidictional disputes. Well equipped to handle international work from all of its domestic offices, the group also benefits from the ability to lean on teams in New York and London. Global mining co-head Shea Small splits his time between London and Toronto and is highly regarded for cross-border M&A, private equity and capital markets deals. The London practice also draws on projects specialist Christopher Langdon, who likewise operates from London and Toronto. Matthew Cumming manages the New York office and specializes in private equity and M&A.

As a destination practice for private equity transactions, Torys is frequently engaged by US and Canadian sponsors to handle large-scale cross-border M&A. The team also stands out for its cross-border firepower in the energy and natural resources, projects and infrastructure, financial services and TMT sectors. The firm supports one of the largest New York offices of any Canadian law firm, led by New York-qualified managing partner Darien Leung, who specializes in banking and finance. The US team also includes former local managing partner David Chaikof, who focuses on M&A and private equity; infrastructure specialist Tara Mackay, who also operates from Toronto; and corporate and projects partner Don Bell, who likewise splits his time between New York and Toronto.