Fasken Martineau DuMoulin is a full-service firm created after several large mergers. Since the founding of its earliest predecessor in 1863, the current iteration of Fasken has grown internationally to 10 offices in four countries. In Canada, the firm has offices in Calgary, Montréal, Ottawa, Québec City, Surrey, Toronto and Vancouver. Its international offices include branches in Beijing, Johannesburg and London.
The firm’s banking and finance practice area is a lender heavy practice. The team works on acquisition financing, investment funding and credit facilities.
The capital markets team advises issuers and underwriters on debt, equity and structured finance matters. Transactions related to debt capital markets include debentures issuances and bond
issuances. Equity capital markets related work including share offers, IPOs and bought deal offerings.
The financial services team
represents financial institutions on regulatory and compliance matters.
The M&A team
advises clients of all types, ranging from strategic buyers and sellers to private equity firms.
In project development, the team advises clients in finance and construction aspects of infrastructure, oil and gas and mining projects. The team works on many P3 projects.
The restructuring and insolvency practice area
advises clients of all types, from debtors to
monitors to lenders.
Mining, infrastructure, life sciences and financial services are big industries for Fasken across all practice areas.
Key clients include BNP Paribas, CGX Energy, Zijin Mining Group, Goldman Sachs, Royal Bank of Canada, ING Capital Deloitte Restructuring, Ontario Ministry of Energy, PwC and
Voyager Digital.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the banking team represented lenders in project, acquisition and corporate financings. The financial services regulatory team acted for clients on fintech, compliance and regulatory matters.
In capital markets, the team worked on both debt and equity transactions, acting for both issuers and underwriters. Debt capital markets transactions include investment grade,
PIPE and high yield bond offerings. Equity capital markets transactions include IPOs, bought deal offerings and common share offerings.
The M&A team worked for buyers, targets and sellers in private and public acquisitions across a wide variety of industries. The team also worked on other corporate matters including mergers, joint ventures and strategic investments.
In project development, the team largely represented developers in projects within the infrastructure industry, with a large number of projects in the transportation and social infrastructure spaces.
On the restructuring and insolvency team, the team represented receivers, monitors, debtors and creditors in CCAA and BIA proceedings, as well as out of court restructurings.
Regarding lateral moves,
restructuring partners Robyn
Gurofsky and Jessica Cameron joined from Borden Ladner Gervais while Travis
Lysak
departed the firm.
Partner Claire
Gowdy joined the capital markets practice from
McCarthy
Tetrault.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Nalcor Energy’s Muskrat Falls C$1 billion project financing
TELEUS International C$2.5 billion acquisition financing
Voyager Digital insolvency
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
“Very collaborative and quick to respond compared to other legal firms we have dealt with. The team is very knowledgeable and they worked extremely well with the other law firms involved in this transaction and took the initiative to take the pressure
off of us when it came to collaborating with the other firms.”
“Fasken provides sound legal advice and offered creative and thoughtful solutions when issues arose during the transaction.”
“This was a new area for us. They were fabulous to work with. Exceptionally knowledgeable and pragmatic.”
“Available, professional,
competent and expert. They have a business approach, knowledge of the market, and respect of the client and internal lawyers.”
“Practical advice, proactive and helpful. Fasken always makes recommendations on suggested courses of action and why, and offers considerations around the choices we are faced with.”
“Provide a high level of service/advice and are attentive to the timelines involved in an M&A transaction.”
“Deep knowledge of the sector and overall Canadian banking environment.”
“They understand our perspective (as a lender) on issues and
provide credible solutions that reach for a lender/borrower 'win/win'.”
“One of the most responsive,
commercial and effective counsels I have ever used in my career. Ability to
execute on tight deadlines with efficient conversations between both borrowers and lenders.”
“Exceptional and prompt, sound advice with a strength in protecting the bank's interest, but a very strong knowledge of what are market terms and how far they can stretch.”
“Leader in lender-side mandates - industry leaders of the lender-driven changes in the market. Leader in complex cross-border/multi-jurisdiction mandates as lead counsel.
Strong team of partners and associate talent in offices across Canada. The banking team
provides exceptional, prompt and commercially sound advice. It is a trusted partner that can be relied on. Pragmatic and thoughtful advisers.”
“The firm is a pleasure to work with. The quality of advice and adherence to timelines are excellent.”
“Very responsive, business mindset, finds solutions.”
“Mainly deal with Neil Kravitz for capital markets. Concise advice, no fluff work. Very efficient.”
Financial services regulatory
“Provide business-friendly, expert advice on regulatory matters. They are always available and very knowledgeable and helpful on difficult matters.”
“They have a global network of
consultants,
lawyers across North America to help locally at all our branches across the region... They are strategy orientated. Strong negotiation skills to resolve the most complicated issues.”
“They have a full function team with grade A expertise.”
“Attention to detail, excellent response time, diligent work and professional.”
“Excellent domain knowledge, negotiation skills and sense of urgency.”
“Excellent and efficient legal services were provided in the private transaction.”
“The M&A team at Fasken, particularly Bradley Freelan and Brian Graves, provide excellent advice, are always available and work well under pressure.”
“Highly experienced team and trustworthy legal advice.”
“Engaged and accountable, always available.”
“Successful transaction. Well negotiated; well-managed process; thorough and effective.”
“Kareen Zimmer, Enoch Chang, and Will Shaw are knowledgeable, responsive, professional and business-orientated.”
“Extremely responsive and
organised, top-notch analysis and client service.”
“Fasken has consistently
provided unwavering support on all structures and matters, regardless of complexity or workload. Their lawyers have a deep understanding of intricate issues, drawing on their vast expertise to
provide invaluable guidance. Fasken's willingness to
leverage the knowledge and insights of their subject-matter experts sets them apart.
This approach provides greater depth of analysis, as well as creative solutions and alternative options. The involvement of these experts is often included in the fee proposal, allowing for more informed decisions while staying on budget. We highly value our partnership with Fasken and highly recommend them for outstanding corporate legal support.”
“Prompt response and easy, comprehensive answers in a timely matter.”
“Fasken did excellent work on
advising the
Expert advice, common-sense approach and willingness to look beyond legal points to the business issue at hand. Strategic advice and counsel.
company (its senior management and board of directors) during the strategic process. They were always
very knowledgeable and knew how to protect the best interests of the company.”
“Expert advice, common-sense
approach and willingness to look beyond legal points to the business issue at hand. Strategic advice and counsel.”
“They are
professional and they are used to doing business on compliance and various stock exchanges.”
“Fasken is
very good at client management and communication with clients.”
Restructuring and insolvency
“They provide common-sense solutions, technical advice, support as a court officer, excellent communication skills, strong business judgement and sound advice.”
“Resourceful, pragmatic and timely.”
“Very diligent and professional, accommodating and always willing to assist.”
"Very responsive, extremely knowledgeable, practical thinking.”
“They knew insolvency law
really well, kept the process moving, and kept the board and management up to date on the overall process.”
“Communications and client management is done extraordinarily well.”
“He understands what we want and is efficient.”
“Always available, understands our business very well, communicates clearly, finds solutions.”
“He is very thorough and has the best interest of the company at heart. He is a pleasure to work with and brings a very positive attitude. He is extremely trustworthy and
very knowledgeable on securities law. He was always available and very responsive during challenging times.”
“Michel has consistently proved to be a reliable and effective resource for our private equity fund, and we have greatly appreciated his valuable insights and
expertise. He has become an invaluable extension to our team and has helped us navigate even the most complex and stressful legal matters with ease. We highly recommend Michel and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with him.”
“Technically strong,
provides professional and practical advice, strong business sense, excellent problem solver.”
“Resourceful, pragmatic and responsive.”
“Very responsive, practical thinking, and well respected in restructuring community.”
“Enoch is knowledgeable, responsive, business-oriented, and great to work with.”
“Responsive, articulate, resourceful and pragmatic”
“Dylan ran the entire insolvency process and was
very knowledgeable. He was also very thorough and communicated well with the board and management.”
“Practical advice, always proactive and helpful. Dave always makes recommendations on suggested courses of action and why we should pursue them, and offers considerations of the choices we are faced with (ie, pros and cons of certain courses of action). Dave is very knowledgeable about our client and their credit agreement, and
overall an extremely helpful resource to our team.”
“Bradley is a technically gifted lawyer, with an ability to quickly interpret and provide practical advice on complex legal issues. Consistently throughout our transaction, Bradley showed a deep understanding of the commercial drivers of the deal, while being client-conscious in navigating sensitive challenges.”
“Friendly, accommodating, proficient, and
provides sound legal advice.”
“Superb level of advice, depth of knowledge,
very easy to work with and always
timely responses.”
“Client communication and attentiveness; practical approach to matters; knowledge of the Canadian M&A space.”
“Deep knowledge of the banking market and ability to problem solve.”
“Strong knowledge of the market, really responsive and ability to think outside the box.”
“Extremely professional.
He's less on the banking side and more on corporate governance law and has always been able to help us or find us the resources to help us. I've called him while on vacation and he answered my call and answered my questions
immediately.”
“Strong partnership mindset. Highly valuable and strategic partner for our clients. Solid experience means we have the utmost trust in his legal advice and recommendations.”
“Dedicated and responsive.”
“Very knowledgeable,
provides tailored concise advice. No bluster.”
“Dealt with our case efficiently.”
“Very experienced with complicated cross-border transactions. Always available. Gives practical advice. Good negotiator.”
“Broad knowledge across corporate and securities law. Personable. Excellent negotiation and mediation skills.”
“Strategic partner and adviser. Trusted. Common-sense approach to issues. Separates business and legal issues. Accurate and pertinent advice.”
“Listens well and has a deep knowledge of mining law.”
“Extremely effective,
knowledgeable and dedicated.”
“Friendly, good problem solver, always willing to help, and gives sound legal advice.”
“Provides thoughtful advice and creative solutions. She is an excellent communicator and is able to explain simply any complex legal issues.”
“Exceptionally smart. She is also such a pleasure to work with. We absolutely know we can count on Angela and her team.”
“Extremely well versed in financing law and contract review.
He's always reachable and able to help. If he
doesn't know a topic,
he's able to find the resource needed to get to a solution.”
“Responsive, problem solver and great follow-up.”
“Timely answers, very comprehensive explanation.”
“Caitlin is an excellent attorney with razor-sharp instincts, top of the line customer service, a practical approach to meet client needs, and all with her genuine personality.”
“Very easy-going and excellent client relationship skills.
She's a bull in a
china shop, but
that's a good thing!”
“One of the most responsive and effective counsels I have worked with. Works to all deadlines without any issue. Always moves towards resolutions and comes to the banks with answers and not questions.”
“Dev Singh is one of the most dynamic and talented banking lawyers on Bay Street. He has deep expertise in private equity and
mezz financing across industries. He is practical and pragmatic. Very responsive and a very trusted adviser to our business.”
“Will is knowledgeable, responsive, business-oriented, and great to work with.”
“He explained the process very thoroughly and helped facilitate the Fasken team.”
“Excellent client relationship attributes. Problem solver. Efficient work.”
“Kareen is thorough,
hard-working and effective. Overall, she did
a great job.”
“Kareen is knowledgeable, responsive, thorough, an expert, business-orientated, and great to work with.”
“Kareen is
very knowledgeable on insurance regulatory work and knows our business and our risk profile. She is helpful and enjoyable to work with.”
