From its extensive network of offices across Canada and beyond,
McCarthy Tétrault’s banking and finance group advises on the full spectrum of financial services matters, including high-stakes litigation. On the transactional side, Toronto-based
Richard Higa is a key contact; he advises Canadian and foreign lenders as well as major corporate borrowers on cross-border financings, acquisition finance, and asset-based lending, among other areas. Additional key figures in Toronto include
Justin Lapedus, co-leader of the financial services department, who is recognized for his lender-side expertise;
Gordon Baird, who represents lenders and borrowers on financings, with a focus on power and infrastructure; and
Ian Mak, who brings a significant private equity dimension to his practice. In Montreal, seasoned counsel
Michel Deschamps specializes in corporate lending while also handling regulatory work. Structured finance and securitization partners
Marc MacMullin (Toronto) and François Gilbert (Montreal) are also recommended. Toronto-based litigator
Christine Lonsdale co-heads the financial services group and is noted for contentious regulatory work. Toronto’s
Hartley Lefton, head of the national insurance and reinsurance section, is also a regulatory specialist. During 2024/25, the regulatory team was bolstered by three hires: in May 2024, senior counsel Sandra Mollet and counsel Vanessa Johnson joined in Vancouver from Central 1, while in August 2024 senior associate Cindy Zhang joined in Toronto from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.
