Kalef, Michael M., Koffman Kalef LLP Vancouver - (604) 891-3700 - mmk@kkbl.com
Partner and senior member of the firm's banking group with over 40 years of experience. Focus on banking,
financing and real estate matters, handling a wide range of financing techniques and banking arrangements,
including syndicated loans among domestic and foreign banks and offshore financing transactions. Engaged
as senior counsel by a number of Schedule I and Schedule II banks on lending, enforcement and bank regula-
tory issues. Loan transactions include financings for the redevelopment of the Vancouver downtown water-
front and the former Expo 86 lands; the 2010 Olympic Village; the River Green Development in Richmond;
the Vancouver Canucks; Rogers Arena; P3 municipal ice rinks and athletic facilities, numerous multi-unit
real estate developments, and various leveraged buy-outs. Called to the British Columbia
Bar in 1974.
Lexpert Ranking: MFR
Denis, Pierre, Lavery, de Billy, L.L.P. Montréal - (514) 877-2908 - pdenis@lavery.ca
Pierre Denis is a partner at Lavery and a member of the Financial Services group. He has handled
numerous national and cross-border financing transactions including aircra and project financing, both
for lenders and borrowers. His experience includes asset financing and commercial lending secured and un-
secured; negotiation and implementation of documentation required for equipment financing transactions
(aircra, heavy equipment, rolling stock, etc.); draing of commercial and consumer forms, leases, install-
ment sales and sale and leaseback arrangements, as well as the development of related policies, procedures
and practices; development of various financing techniques and security arrangements for manufacturers,
suppliers and distributors of goods sold or services rendered on credit; and non-litigious aspects of commer-
cial law relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, restructuring of businesses and realization under real
and personal property security agreements.
Lexpert Ranking: RR
Laskin, Irving D., Lawson Lundell LLP Vancouver - (604) 631-9235 - ilaskin@lawsonlundell.com
Irv acts for banks, credit unions and other lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured financing and
leasing transactions. His clients include financial institutions, merchant banks and other lenders, and a mix
of borrowers engaged in financing transactions at the local, national and international level. He is engaged
in financing a wide range of businesses, including construction and income producing real estate projects, all
assets within the agricultural sector, aircra, forest and mining assets, merchant banks, hotels, newspapers,
high technology products and operations and national retail chains. ese financings oen have cross-border
components and have included syndications and participations with government and other lending institu-
tions, acting most oen for the lead and sometimes secondary lender. He is recognized by e Lexpert®/
American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and e Best Lawyers in Canada,
both for banking law. Irv was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1984.
Lexpert Ranking: MFR
Financing
Kent, Andrew J.F., McMillan LLP Toronto - (416) 865-7160 - andrew.kent@mcmillan.ca
Andy Kent is listed in many domestic and international directories as one of the leading business lawyers in
Canada. He is most commonly recognized for addressing troubled business situations, financing transac-
tions, distressed M&A and cross-border litigation. Quotes in directories about Andy include: "leading light
who is as bright as day", "[having] a real creative streak and the ability to 'always dig a bit deeper'", "admired
for possessing capabilities to deal with the most difficult legal issues in any financing context", "immensely
shrewd and formidable adversary", "clients were effusive in their praise", "a lawyer with a brilliant legal mind",
"distils complex business issues into simple language", "no one doubts [his] academic pedigree and technical
excellence" and "impressive street fighter and strategist". Andy has spear-headed successful statutory reform
initiatives and has served as an Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. In 2011 Andy
was selected as one of 25 most influential lawyers in Canada.
Lexpert Ranking: CR
