The Canadian Law Awards returned last night with an in-person black-tie gala in Toronto, ON. Legal professionals from across Canada came together to reconnect with colleagues and peers and to celebrate the profession's finest.

Gowling WLG took home the prize for "Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year" for its work on the Group Dynamite CCAA and Chapter 15 restructuring deal. Montreal-based partners Alexandre Forest and Francois Viau, and associate Ilias Hmimas, were acting for four property owners, namely Oxford Properties Group, Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc., Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited and Cominar, representing a very significant portion of Groupe Dynamite's landlords. The issue of payment of rent under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act was central in the early steps of the restructuring and the landlord's victory before the Court set a very important precedent for all restructurings taking place in the retail industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosted by Key Media, the Canadian Law Awards distinguish Canada's leading law firms, in-house legal teams, individuals and landmark deals over the past year. Gowling WLG extends warm congratulations to all of this year's winners and finalists.

About Gowling WLG's Restructuring & Insolvency Group

Whether a company needs early- or late-stage restructuring advice, or a secured or unsecured creditor needs immediate counsel, members of Gowling WLG's Restructuring & Insolvency Group work to resolve issues quickly, pragmatically and cost-effectively.

As one of the largest groups of its kind in Canada, we've developed a significant practice for creditors and debtors alike, with a high level of expertise in cross-border insolvencies and restructurings. Learn more about Gowling WLG's Restructuring & Insolvency Group.