Jill P.
Fraser
Managing Partner
With a calm demeanour and extensive experience in banking law, Jill remains poised in even the most testing circumstances. A creative problem solver, she considers her clients’ needs and constructs innovative solutions to match. Jill is dedicated to providing exceptional client service and is well-known for her hands-on leadership and for being directly accessible.
Jill is the firm’s Managing Partner and a member of the Financial Services and Energy Groups. She is also a long-standing member of the firm's Executive Committee. Jill's practice focuses on corporate and commercial lending transactions, including syndicated credit facilities, secured loans, project financings, acquisition financings, venture capital investments and asset-based lending.
She is also experienced in the area of asset/equipment finance and leasing, including the structuring and documenting of bulk lease financing facilities and private securitizations. Jill has an active practice representing borrowers from many different industries, as well as acting for a broad range of lenders, including domestic and international banks, life insurance companies, asset-based lenders and investment funds.
Professional Involvement
Memberships
- Canadian Finance & Leasing Association
Community Involvement
- Chair, Board of Governors, Havergal College
Regular presenter at the session titled, "Equipment Lease Financing in Today's Loan Transactions," as part of the Osgoode Professional Development Intensive Short Course in Secured Lending and Debt Finance (previously Commercial Loan Finance and Security), covering topics such as the preparation of the lease, current PPSA requirements, problems posed by specialized collateral and the implications of amendments to bankruptcy and insolvency law.
Presented a session titled "Autofinance and Securitization in Canada" during the Journée stratégique FINANCEMENT ET SÛRETÉS seminar – January 21, 2025.
Moderated a session titled "Creating New Supply: A Practical Guide to Building & Financing LTCs in 2024" during the Ontario Long Term Care Association’s (OLTCA) This is Long Term Care conference – October 21, 2024.
Presented a session titled "Review of Available Credit Facilities" during the Law Society of Ontario's Understanding Commercial Debt Financing Transactions Webinar – November 23, 2020.
Presented a session titled "Drafting Opinions for Commercial Transactions" at the Federated Press' inaugural Loan Documentation: Mastering Critical Issues in Loan Negotiations and Documentation course – January 2015.
Course leader of a seminar as part of the Federated Press Essentials of Commercial Contracts Course – May 2014 and 2015.
Co-chair of a workshop entitled "Managing the Legal Aspects of Construction Financing" as part of the Federated Press 8th Construction Financing Course – January 2012.
Presented a session titled "Drafting Opinions for Commercial Transactions" at the inaugural Essentials of Commercial Contracts Course, which examined the opinion drafting process, including best practices, key considerations and challenges – May 2010.
Co-presented a workshop with Andrew Biderman on "Intercreditor Agreements: Structuring, Negotiating and Enforcing," which addressed the purpose of these agreements, the rights of creditors and key issues relating to their structure and negotiation, at the Advanced Asset Based Lending and Other Alternative Debt Financing Conference – May 2010.
"Ontario Government Introduces New Consumer Protection Act," Aird & Berlis LLP, Financial Services Flash, October 24, 2023.
"Leading the Way Forward," The Secured Lender's Women in Secured Finance Issue, April 2022.
“Teva Canada, Cheque Fraud and Risk Allocation for Collecting Banks,” Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, Collateral Matters, November 2017.
"Securitizations: Not Subject to Bulk Sales Act," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, Collateral Matters, October 2012.
"How to Limit Rights of Set-Off," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, Collateral Matters, December 2010.
"Whose Proceeds are They?" Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, Collateral Matters, December 2010.
"Various Issues Relating to Purchase Money Security Interests," National Creditor Debtor Review, Volume 24, Number 3, September 2009.
"Cross Border Registrations – An Ongoing Dilemma," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, Collateral Matters, October 2008; National Creditor Debtor Review, Volume 23, Number 4, December 2008.
"True Lease v. Security Lease – Is the Distinction Still Relevant?" Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, Collateral Matters, June 2008; National Banking Law Review, Volume 27, Number 5, October 2008.
"Easing the Way for Receivables Financing," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, December 2007.
"Lending to Farmers: A Summary of the Farm Debt Mediation Act," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, May 2007 (with John Walker).
"The New Securities Transfer Act, 2006," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, March 2007.
"Bill 152 Ministry of Government Services Consumer Protection and Service Modernization Act, 2006: Amendments to the PPSA (Ontario)," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Newsletter, March 2007.
"Securitizations," Aird & Berlis LLP Banking Law Alert, Fall 2005.
"Regulation of Foreign Banks Without a Physical Presence: A Comparison of the Law in Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union," Banking & Finance Law Review, October 2004.
Contributing editor for O'Brien's Encyclopaedia of Forms (Banking and Borrowing) - the only comprehensive Canadian collection of forms and precedents covering a broad range of legal subjects - published by Canada Law Book.