Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

History and Origins

Blakes traces its roots to 1856 when Dominick Edward Blake, after being called to the bar, formed a partnership with Stephen M. Jarvis in Toronto. The firm predates Canadian Confederation and has since evolved into a leading international business law practice. Over its 170-year history, Blakes has advised on many of Canada's most significant mergers and acquisitions, corporate financings, and complex litigations, building a reputation for delivering results-focused legal solutions.

Practice Areas and Expertise

Blakes offers a comprehensive range of legal services across virtually every business law discipline. Key practice areas include corporate and commercial law (M&A, private equity, joint ventures), capital markets (equity and debt offerings, IPO support), litigation and dispute resolution (commercial litigation, class actions, arbitration), tax (domestic and cross-border planning, tax litigation), competition/antitrust and foreign investment (merger review, cartel investigations), technology (complex transactions, AI, data privacy), energy and energy infrastructure (renewable energy, oil and gas), financial services (banking, project finance), restructuring and insolvency, employment and labour, real estate, and intellectual property. The firm also publishes client-facing resources such as the Blakes upRound bulletin, which provides market insights and legal updates on innovation and funding.

Innovation and Technology

Blakes has made innovation a core strategic priority. In 2022, the firm selected NetDocuments as its document and email management platform to enhance client service, collaboration, and information governance. The firm’s Chief Technology Officer, Amar Gill, noted that NetDocuments’ cloud-native architecture and strong security credentials aligned with Blakes’ commitment to data protection and user experience. The firm also uses Microsoft Teams and other tools to support internal and client collaboration.

Awards and Recognition

Blakes has received numerous accolades: in Chambers Canada 2026, it achieved the most nationwide Band 1 practice rankings of any firm and was named Corporate Law Firm of the Year in 2025. Benchmark Canada Awards 2024 gave Blakes three Firm of the Year titles for litigation and dispute resolution. The firm has also been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2025 and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2024. Individual lawyers are consistently ranked in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and other leading legal publications.

Offices and Global Reach

Blakes operates six offices: Toronto (headquarters at 199 Bay Street, Suite 4000), Montréal (1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 3000), Calgary (855-2nd Street S.W., Suite 3500, Bankers Hall East Tower), Vancouver (1133 Melville St, Suite 3500, The Stack), and New York (600 Lexington Avenue, established 2004). The firm’s lawyers advise exclusively on Canadian law, even from the U.S. office, focusing on cross-border transactions and litigation.

Company Culture and Talent

Blakes is a partnership known for recruiting top legal talent from across Canada. The firm places strong emphasis on mentorship, diversity, and inclusive leadership. In 2025 and 2026, Blakes promoted 18 and 14 lawyers respectively to its partnership, reflecting its commitment to developing internal talent. The firm’s leadership believes in a cohesive, collaborative culture where standout performers flourish and collaborate.

Financial and Business Performance

As a private partnership, Blakes does not publicly disclose revenue or profit. However, its consistent top-tier rankings, high-profile client engagements, and continuous expansion of practice areas indicate a robust market position. The firm serves a wide array of clients, from large multinational corporations to emerging technology companies.