Debt Finance & Lending

Debt management can lead to growth by enabling businesses to obtain needed funding, while reducing borrowing costs and containing financial risk. However, businesses need to develop debt management strategies based on their goals, risks, ability to sustain debt, marketplace stability and competition. They also need favourable debt terms to optimize their chances of success.

Our leading Debt Financing & Lending lawyers offer unmatched domestic and international experience advising on structuring and executing some of the largest and most complicated debt transactions worldwide. As an industry leader, we have developed several innovative financing and security structures used in Canada and have assisted clients around the world in devising and implementing creative solutions to their funding needs.

Blakes offers practical debt financing advice as well as cutting-edge solutions to borrowers and lenders. Relying on our expertise in the full spectrum of financial loan structures, including equity-linked and debt-linked products, and high-yield offerings, clients regularly come to us for advice on designing, employing and leveraging debt finance opportunities.

We guide lenders and investors in evaluating the risks involved in debt finance and assist with negotiating and documenting domestic and international debt-based financing of businesses, assets and projects. Representing borrowers and lenders in both public and private markets, Blakes Financial Services lawyers advise on conventional secured and unsecured financing transactions, as well as sophisticated project financing, direct lending transactions, structured financing arrangements, securitizations, subordinated debt financings and related intercreditor arrangements, and other debt-based finance vehicles. We also serve in an ongoing capacity as counsel for companies regularly engaged in lending or borrowing transactions. With a highly skilled Insolvency & Restructuring group, we are also well positioned to anticipate and react to distressed market conditions.

Recent Experience

The Financing parties on the debt financing of Platinum Equity's acquisition of Husky Injection Molding Systems from Berkshire Partners and OMERS Private Equity for C$4.95-billion.
The DIP agent on the US$2.3-billion DIP facility to Toys “R” Us Canada and its U.S. parent.
Washington Companies on its debt financing for its C$1.5-billion acquisition of Dominion Diamond Corporation.
Nouvelle Autoroute 30 on a cross-border bond issuance valued at approximately C$1.218-billion to refinance the project debt for the concession project.
Enerplus Corporation on its various debt arrangements, including its issuance of certain notes in separate transactions of approximately C$300-million, C$465-million and C$200-million, respectively, and on its C$1-billion credit facilities.
Equinox Gold Corp. on its US$578-million all-stock acquisition of Leagold Mining Corporation and concurrent private placement of US$170-million and debt financing of US$500-million.
The DIP lenders in connection with the restructuring, DIP financing and exit financing of Clover Leaf Seafood S.a.r.l. and its subsidiaries.

Awards & Recognition

Blakes Financial Services lawyers have been recognized as leaders in their field in the most recent editions of the following publications:

Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
The Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada
IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial and Corporate Law Firms
The Legal 500 Canada
Who's Who Legal: Banking
Who's Who Legal: Canada
Who's Who Legal: Project Finance
Who's Who Legal: Transport – Aviation Finance
Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Lawyers
The Best Lawyers in Canada