Jane Dietrich

Partner

 | Toronto

Jane Dietrich* is a partner in the Restructuring & Insolvency Group at Cassels. The focus of Jane’s practice is on international and domestic commercial restructurings, insolvency, and related litigation. She has expertise in formal and informal corporate reorganizations, enforcement of security, and unsecured creditor remedies. A frequent writer and presenter on insolvency-related matters, Jane has participated as a speaker for numerous organizations including the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals, the Ontario Bar Association, the Law Society of Ontario, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Jane also taught bankruptcy law at the University of Toronto, where she was an Adjunct Professor. Jane is a Fellow and lifetime member of INSOL International – the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals. She also sits on the Board of Directors.

Jane’s representative work includes having acted for:

  • Ernst & Young as court-appointed monitor of Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc.
  • Grant Thornton as court-appointed monitor of Toys “R” Us (Canada) Ltd.
  • Payless ShoeSource Canada Inc. in connection with their worldwide restructuring
  • The Board of Catalyst Paper in its successful repayment of all funded debt and acquisition by Paper Excellence
  • Banro Corporation in connection with its cross-border restructuring
  • Counsel to the Term DIP Lenders to Sears Canada Inc. in connection with its CCAA proceedings

Clients deem Jane to be “effective and astute” with a “results-oriented approach.” She is recognized as a leader in her field by such authorities as Chambers Global, Chambers Canada, and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and has been honoured by the Toronto chapter of the Turnaround Management Association with a ‘Women of Excellence’ award.

*denotes Professional Corporation

  • Best Lawyers in Canada (Insolvency and Financial Restructuring)
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Lawyer of the Year (Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law – Toronto) (2022)
  • Benchmark Litigation (Future Star)
  • Chambers Canada (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • Chambers Global (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Insolvency & Financial Restructuring – Insolvency Litigation; Insolvency & Financial Restructuring – Financial Restructuring)
  • Expert Guides (Women in Business Law)
  • IFLR1000 (Restructuring & Insolvency; Women Leaders)
  • Legal500 Canada (Restructuring & Insolvency) (Leading Individual)
  • Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Restructuring & Insolvency)
  • Lexpert Special Edition, Litigation
  • Turnaround Management Association – Toronto Chapter, Women of Excellence Award: Today’s Leader
  • Who’s Who Legal: Canada (Restructuring & Insolvency)
  • “Jane is a high-quality insolvency lawyer.” – Chambers Canada (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “Jane Dietrich is amazing.” – Chambers Global (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “Provides the right level of advice and does an excellent job.” – Chambers Canada (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “She has strong expertise and guided is during a challenging process.” – Chambers Global (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “Lauded for her technical skill and pragmatism.” – Chambers Global (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “’Hits the ball down the middle’ with her balanced and fair counsel and ‘her ability to negotiate resolutions with the other parties of interest in a case.’” – Chambers Global (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “’Calm when she presents to court,’ and described as the ‘voice of reason.’” – Chambers Canada (Restructuring/Insolvency)
  • “Excellent in the courtroom, and also technically sound.” – Chambers Canada (Restructuring & Insolvency)
  • “A very methodical practitioner who sees the big picture really well and is terrific to work with.” – Chambers Canada (Restructuring & Insolvency)
  • “I consider Jane to be truly the most practical lawyer for transactions which can become very sophisticated very fast, can have a lot of wrinkles and involve a lot of different players.” – Chambers Canada (Restructuring & Insolvency)
  • LL.B., University of Toronto, 2003
  • B.Sc., University of Waterloo, 1998
  • Ontario, 2004
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL), Fellow and Member, Board of Directors
  • International Insolvency Institute (III)
  • International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Turnaround Management Association (TMA)