Four Blakes Lawyers Named 2025 Lexpert Rising Stars

Jonathan Bitran

Jonathan Bitran is a highly respected competition and foreign investment lawyer who provides strategic advice in some of the largest and most complex mergers in Canada and across borders. His versatile practice also includes litigating high-stakes proceedings before the Competition Tribunal. Clients in industries ranging from communications to retail and pharmaceuticals value Jonathan’s ability to deliver practical advice tailored to their business goals and his experience working for the Competition Bureau.

A longtime volunteer with Toronto Metropolitan University, Jonathan coaches law students for the annual Adam F. Fanaki Competition Law Moot. He has also dedicated his time to educating the next generation of lawyers as a competition law instructor at several universities.

Jennifer Hancock

Jennifer Hancock is a go-to debt finance lawyer for leading Canadian and international financial institutions, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers. A strong negotiator and strategic partner, she helps clients succeed in complex, high-value debt financings, acquisitions and restructurings. Her collaborative approach, creative structuring and commitment to execution excellence have earned her long-term client trust and delivered measurable business impact.   

Jennifer has played key roles in financing transactions for pro bono clients of Blakes, including Evergreen, an urban sustainability non-profit, and The Portage Foundation, which supports youth struggling with substance use. An active contributor to Women@Blakes programs and the Kayo Conference Series, she is deeply committed to the advancement of women in law and finance.

Adam Ngan

Adam Ngan is a leading pensions, benefits and executive compensation lawyer. In addition to advising plan administrators and sponsors, he acts for clients on the pension and employee benefit aspects of corporate transactions. He is recognized for guiding large pension funds on their most complex investment matters, including real estate, infrastructure, private equity and other investments in Canada and abroad. Clients rely on Adam’s ability to distill complicated legal issues into clear, context-driven and business-focused advice. 

Adam is extensively involved in the pensions and benefits bar and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Pension & Benefits Section Executive. He is also an active member of EastAsian@Blakes, an affinity group that promotes the recruitment, retention, mentorship and advancement of legal professionals of East Asian heritage. 

Jamie Thomas

Jamie Thomas is a standout dealmaker across domestic and multi-jurisdictional M&A, project development, and investments by asset managers, pension funds and other institutional investors. His practice focuses on the energy, infrastructure and real estate sectors. Clients value his collaborative, results-driven approach and ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable advice grounded in commercial realities. Jamie is also a recognized thought leader in the innovative space of joint ventures between energy companies, financial sponsors and Indigenous communities in Canada.

Throughout his career, Jamie has volunteered for community causes including pro bono access-to-justice programs and the Together Project, which supports newcomers to Canada. He has also given back to the legal profession by mentoring junior lawyers and teaching law students at the University of Toronto.

About the Lexpert Rising Stars Awards

The annual Lexpert Rising Stars awards recognize lawyers from law firms and in-house counsel aged 40 and under who are up-and-coming in the Canadian legal community. Lexpert selects the finalists based on several criteria, and an advisory board votes on the winning candidates. 

About Blakes

At Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), we serve a diverse national and international client base. Our integrated network of offices provides clients with access to the Firm’s full spectrum of capabilities in virtually every area of business law.

Thanks to our clients, Blakes continues to earn top rankings and accolades. The Firm consistently stands out as a market leader in the Chambers Canada Legal Guide, which named us Corporate Law Firm of the Year based on our performance in the 2025 edition. We regularly earn top recognition across multiple litigation and dispute resolution categories, including nine consecutive years as Arbitration Firm of the Year at the Benchmark Canada Awards. In addition, our lawyers continue to be recognized as leaders in their fields in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Canada’s leading guide to lawyers.

Blakes was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2025 and received its 15th Canada’s Best Diversity Employers award that same year, underscoring our commitment to workplace excellence and inclusion.

More information on Blakes is available on our website or by following us on LinkedIn.