With the return of private equity activity to pre-pandemic levels in Canada, there has been a distinct shift in the way parties approach deal terms. Blakes Partners Rory ffrench and Rianna Ritchie walk us through some of the most significant trends, drawing on insights from the fourth edition of our Canadian Private Equity Deal Study ..read more

Mass torts are on the rise in Ontario, thanks to certification challenges, carriage fights and the influence of plaintiffs’ counsel. But not all provinces are experiencing the same trend. In this episode of our podcast, Blakes lawyers Robin Linley, Ariane Bisaillon and Robin Reinertson explain the differences between a mass tort and a class action and why one may be preferred over the other ..read more

It’s been an eventful year in business disputes, with important decisions coming from courts across Canada. In this episode of our podcast, Blakes litigators Francis Rouleau, Karine Russell and Sophie Mansfield discuss some of the most influential decisions of 2023, and Max Shapiro highlights a trend to watch in 2024 ..read more

Doing business with government can be extremely complex. From lobbying and codes of conduct to commissions of inquiry and much more, companies face many rules, regulations and decisions that are constantly changing. Falling afoul of them can have serious reputational and legal impacts. In this episode of our podcast, Blakes lawyers Alexis Levine and Iris Fischer take us through their day-to-day practices helping clients manage crisis situations and share a few time-tested tips for dealing with government ..read more

Anti-bribery compliance has become a fundamental part of an effective environmental, social and governance program. It’s considered one of the most significant areas of risk for many companies and a key concern for investors and shareholders. In this episode of our podcast, Blakes lawyers Iris Fischer, Mark Morrison and Michael Dixon discuss how to develop a compliance program and measure its effectiveness ..read more

The 2022 Blakes Board Report reveals the significant strides women general counsel have made over a six-year period in their trajectory on boards. Year over year, women GCs have continued to exceed their male counterparts on boards by a ratio of 2:1. In this episode of Blakes Sound Business, Blakes lawyers Kate McGilvray and Stacy McLean tell us more about the findings and director insights contained in this year’s study, Unlocking the Value: Women GCs in the Board Pipeline ..read more

Although a late adopter, Canada will soon be criminalizing wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements between businesses. In the latest episode of our podcast, Blakes lawyers David Dueck and Julia Potter tell us about these new provisions of the Competition Act and how they could expose parties to severe consequences ..read more

To combat forced labour, the Canadian government has proposed the Modern Slavery Act, which will have broad implications for Canadian businesses. In our latest episode of Blakes Sound Business, Partners Scott Clarke, Holly Reid and Kate McGilvray provide insight into the new legislation and what companies need to do to ensure compliance ..read more

In recent years, the plant-based food industry has seen significant growth, and new technologies continue to emerge. Blakes lawyers Vivian Kung and Robin Burns join us on the latest episode of our podcast to talk about recent market trends and legal considerations for businesses in this space ..read more

Cybersecurity continues to be one of the biggest threats facing businesses today. The surge in cyberattacks is not only intensifying, but also evolving in sophistication. In the latest episode of our podcast, Nicole Henderson, John Lenz and Ellie Marshall tell us more about the latest trends from our recent Cybersecurity Trends Study ..read more