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About Neil

Neil's practice focuses primarily on banking and financial services, real estate, private equity, venture capital, and commercial and business law.

Neil has extensive expertise in advising leading public and private companies, institutional investors, private equity sponsors, chartered banks and other financial institutions on a wide variety of transactions.

Prior to his career in law, Neil worked as an analyst and appraiser for a major real estate developer, the investment banking arm of a Canadian chartered bank and a leading real estate appraisal firm.

Neil is a member of the Blakes Executive Committee.

Select Experience

Among others, Neil has acted as legal counsel to:

Banking and Financial Services

  • A Canadian pension fund in connection with a subordinated loan to a North American real estate brokerage and advisory firm

  • BDC Capital Inc. in connection with the legal documentation for its Growth Equity Emergency Financing convertible note program

  • A technology company in connection with its permanent financing by a syndicate of lenders

  • A syndicate of lenders in connection with the financing of several acquisitions of Canadian connectivity services and data center businesses in Canada

  • A Canadian pension fund in connection with the financing of the production restart of an iron ore mine in Quebec

  • Clients of BentallGreenOak in connection with the permanent financing of 1250 René-Lévesque Boulevard in Montréal

  • Clients of BentallGreenOak in connection with the permanent financing of KPMG Tower in Montréal

  • A syndicate of lenders in connection with the construction financing of a major mixed-use real estate project in Montréal

  • A TSX-listed company operating in the mobility sector in connection with its financing by a syndicate of lenders for its acquisition of a U.S.-based elevator manufacturer

  • A syndicate of lenders in connection with the financing of the acquisition of a North American integrated services provider

  • A syndicate of lenders in connection with credit facilities of Ivanhoé Cambridge

Real Estate

  • Clients of BentallGreenOak in connection with the acquisition of 1250 René-Lévesque Boulevard in Montréal, the largest single asset transaction it has ever completed in Canada

  • Clients of Canada Life in connection with its acquisitions of two residential towers in the Greater Montréal Area

  • Clients of Triovest Realty Advisors in connection with its acquisition of several properties in downtown Montréal

  • HOOPP Realty Inc. in connection with its sale of a portfolio of properties jointly held with Ivanhoé Cambridge to Cominar REIT

  • Great West Life Assurance Company in connection with its acquisition of four shopping centres from Walmart Canada Realty Inc. and SmartCentres Realty Inc.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

  • BDC Capital Inc. in connection with its equity investment in a technology company

  • A Canadian pension fund in connection with its equity investment in an iron ore producer in Quebec

  • A Canadian pension fund in connection with its equity investment in an international provider of integrated security solutions

  • A Canadian pension fund in connection with its equity investments in a North American real estate brokerage and advisory firm

  • Apax Partners LLP in connection with its acquisition of Ideal Protein, a proprietary weight loss and wellness solutions company

  • Various sponsors in connection with the formation, operation and dissolution of their investment funds

Commercial and Business Law

  • An international hospitality group in connection with its corporate and commercial affairs in Canada

  • A Portuguese conglomerate in connection with its operations in Canada

  • A cannabis-related company in connection with its operations in Canada

  • A Canadian eyewear manufacturer and distributer in connection with its operations in Canada and abroad

  • A Canadian chemical manufacturer and distributor in connection with its operations in Canada

Awards & Recognition

Neil has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the following publications:

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2023 (Real Estate)

  • The Best Lawyers in Canada 2023 (Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Banking and Finance Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law)

  • The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada 2023 (Corporate Mid-Market)

  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2022 (Asset Equipment Finance/Leasing, Banking & Financial Institutions, Corporate Commercial Law, Corporate Mid-Market, Private Equity)

  • The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 – Lawyer of the Year (Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law – Quebec)

Professional Activities

Neil is a member of the Barreau du Québec and the Canadian Bar Association.

Education

Admitted to the Quebec Bar – 1996
BCL, Université Laval – 1995
MBA, McMaster University – 1991
BComm, Concordia University – 1989

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