Gowling WLG is proud to announce that David F.W. Cohen, the leader of the firm’s Financial Services Industry Group in Canada, has been recognized by ABF Journal with an “Icon” Award in its inaugural Legends & Leaders issue.

ABF Journal is the longest-running and most widely distributed specialty finance publication in the U.S. The Icon Award is presented to an individual whose influence, innovation, and integrity have left a lasting imprint on the asset-based lending, specialty finance, turnaround and restructuring communities.

David’s distinguished career—spanning more than three decades—embodies all these qualities and more. David is widely respected for his passion-driven approach, strategic insight, and relentless curiosity. These traits have not only earned him the trust of clients and peers but also serve as his contribution to the landscape of turnaround and restructuring in Canada.

David is a member of the dedicated and active Canadian insolvency, restructuring and finance communities. In 2003, serving as the National Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Bankruptcy Section (the “CBAB”), David and the members of the section executive authored extensive comments and suggestions on how Canadian Bankruptcy law should be reformed. The report was submitted to the Canadian Federal Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce.

The CBAB Executive’s efforts contributed to the adoption of the CBAB’s common-sense approach to Bankruptcy Reform—an approach aimed at making Canadian bankruptcy law an integral part of a globally competitive Canadian economy by ensuring it is fair, efficient, and predictable with the goal of attracting foreign capital.

“Being recognized by ABF Journal comes as a humbling surprise,” said Cohen. “I’ve been fortunate to have a front row seat watching the evolution and intersection of specialty finance and the turnaround industry. When I started practice, turnaround managers were rarely used in the Canadian context. Today, turnaround professionals, including CROs, are a common feature in Canadian restructurings. It continues to evolve rapidly, but what endures is the importance of values—integrity, accountability, and service. I’ve always believed that we are at our best when we lift others and drive impact collectively.”

David has long championed the critical role of turnaround professionals and the use of specialty finance tools in preserving businesses and jobs. This is exemplified by his years of service to the Toronto Chapter and Global Turnaround Management Association. When he served as TMA Global’s V.P. Membership, David was also instrumental in establishing the young practitioners group within TMA, adopting the “nextGen” name that had first been used by the Northwest Chapter and establishing discounted member pricing for the group that was a key driver in nextGen enrolment at TMA to over 1,000 within three years.

Above all, David’s legacy lies in the relationships he has built and the professionals and friends he continues to both learn from and mentor. “Leadership,” he says, “is about being accountable to each team member and ensuring they have what they need to succeed and be the best version of themselves. That’s the culture we’ve built at Gowling WLG—and that’s the culture that drives meaningful results and has created a great place to build a career.”

At Gowling WLG, David’s leadership has helped build one of the country’s most agile and capable financial services teams. Known for its innovative approach and deep sector knowledge, the firm is at the forefront of advising clients on complex financings, restructurings, and regulatory matters. With a global platform and a strong foundation in Canadian markets, Gowling WLG supports clients across the full spectrum of the specialty finance, asset-based lending, turnaround and restructuring industries.

The firm’s restructuring team—one of the largest groups of its kind in Canada—regularly helps clients design and implement strategies where working capital, often delivered through DIP loans or asset-based structures, serves as a lifeline for companies in distress. This work is grounded in a belief in recovery-oriented solutions and a consistent focus on maximizing stakeholder value.

Gowling WLG extends its congratulations to all professionals recognized in this year’s Legends & Leaders issue and thanks ABF Journal for its continued commitment to celebrating the work shaping this important sector.

About Gowling WLG's Financial Institutions & Services Group
Our Financial Institutions & Services Group delivers practical, business-focused legal solutions tailored to the evolving needs of banks, insurers, pension funds, asset managers and other financial services companies. With deep sector insight and a strong track record across lending, regulation, payments, FinTech and financial restructuring, we help clients thrive in a competitive and fast-changing market.