Steven L.
Graff

Steve’s practice has been built on his ability to think clearly in a crisis and communicate effectively with clients. A dynamic corporate lawyer and litigator, he thrives on the immediacy of the financial services sector and revels in the high-pressure environment in which he practises. Steve’s clients appreciate his no-nonsense approach, his ability to simplify complex situations and his personal touch on each file.

Steve is Co-Leader of the firm's Financial Services and Restructuring & Insolvency Groups and a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. His practice focuses on restructuring and insolvency, lending, and corporate acquisitions and divestitures, often in the context of distress. He also advises on a wide range of financing transactions and manages a commercial litigation practice.

Steve has strong ties in the financial sector and acts as counsel for many of the Canadian Schedule I banks and other financial institutions on restructuring, security enforcement and recovery. He has also been engaged on behalf of various stakeholder groups, including bond holders, unsecured creditors and even shareholders in the context of corporate restructurings. He has represented lenders, landlords, municipalities, trade suppliers and debtors in all aspects of insolvency law, including bankruptcy, proposals, reorganizations, enforcement of security and in protecting rights outside of insolvency proceedings. Steve has also represented several private debt and equity investors concerning their positions in various Canadian insolvencies and restructurings. He acts on behalf of many of the well-known professional advisory firms in their roles as monitor, trustee in bankruptcy and receiver.

On the finance side, Steve is active in both asset-based lending as well as traditional cash flow lending on behalf of several institutional lenders.