Cassels

Canadian Corporate Law Firm

University of Toronto

Laurie Jessome

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Laurie Jessome* (she/her/hers) is Chair of the national Employment & Labour Group at Cassels and serves as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Laurie acts as dedicated counsel to employers of all sizes and offers expertise on employment-related issues across a variety of industries, including mining, natural resources, finance, insurance, medical technology, retail, manufacturing, and professional services – among others. For her work, Laurie has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in her field by Chambers Canada, where clients note: “She’s a true partner for our operations.”

With over 20 years of employment law experience, Laurie has become the “go to” employment counsel on many of the firm’s largest deals, advising on the employment law aspects of complex commercial transactions for both private and public companies.

Laurie regularly supports clients – domestically and across the border – by providing timely and strategic advice regarding employment and contractor agreements as well as employee handbooks and policies. She also provides guidance on performance management, terminations, and wrongful/constructive dismissal. She has developed deep, specific experience assisting employers with managing and responding to sensitive workplace issues, including allegations of harassment, fraud, and other misconduct.

When necessary, Laurie serves as a practical and effective advocate for her clients. She regularly represents a range of clients before provincial and federal human rights tribunals as well as the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Employment Standards Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and in mediations and arbitrations.

In addition to her practice, Laurie is a frequent speaker and writer on employment law developments. Her insights have been featured in prominent publications such as Lexpert, Workplace Magazine, HR Professional Magazine and Canadian Corporate Counsel. Laurie is also an active contributor to Cassels’ thought leadership on emerging workplace issues, helping employers stay ahead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

*Services provided through a Professional Corporation

Stephen Henderson

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Stephen Henderson is a partner in the Entertainment & Sports and Intellectual Property Groups at Cassels. Stephen advises clients in a variety of industries including music, film and television, sports, fashion, video games, book publishing, marketing, and social media. These clients include chart-topping recording artists, performing and reproduction rights organizations, major broadcasters, game developers, and some of Canada’s biggest brands. Stephen prides himself on providing reasoned and practical advice to both established and up-and-coming clients.

His work has included transactions involving the purchase of music catalogues (recording and publishing) and the sale of major fashion brands with global trademark portfolios. Stephen frequently negotiates and drafts of all manner of music-related agreements including recording, publishing, producer, and endorsement agreements. He is experienced in legal issues relating to touring, music festivals, and televised performances.

Stephen is active in the legal community and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association Entertainment, Media & Communications Section, the ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries, and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. He mentors high school students interested in law through the University of Toronto’s Youth Summer Program. He previously coached Osgoode Hall’s Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot team and OCAD University’s Imagination Catalyst entrepreneurs.

Stephen is a graduate of the J.D. program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Prior to attending law school, Stephen received an Honours B.A. in Multimedia and Political Science from McMaster University before working in Canada and Switzerland to assist companies and organizations with their marketing and social media efforts. Stephen also teaches classes at Osgoode Hall Law School on entertainment law and at Western University Faculty of Law on intellectual property issues in franchising.

Lauren Grossman

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Lauren Grossman is a partner in the Banking & Specialty Finance Group at Cassels. Lauren’s practice focuses on corporate and commercial law, representing both lenders and borrowers involved in domestic and cross-border financing transactions and corporate finance matters. Lauren’s experience includes both secured and unsecured lending transactions, asset-based financings, acquisition financings, securitizations, and project financings. She is ranked as a Rising Star in Banking by IFLR1000.

Examples of Lauren’s recent work include acting for:

  • HSBC Bank Canada as administrative agent on a US$510 million syndicated financing to Spin Master Ltd. and its subsidiaries in France, Hong Kong, Mexico, United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Netherlands
  • The Ottawa Senators Hockey Club in respect of the financing of the NHL Team and Canadian Tire Center
  • A Canadian Chartered Bank in connection with a $296 million syndicated financing in favour of a leading seniors housing company
  • Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. in respect of the securitization of a $530 million portfolio of automobile receivables
  • Clarksons Platou Securities and Pareto Securities as joint lead managers in respect of Nemaska Lithium Inc.’s US$350 million offering of senior secured callable bonds completed on a private placement basis

Lauren received her J.D. from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. Prior to studying law, Lauren graduated with Distinction from Western University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Medical Science.

Jonathan Fleisher

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Jonathan Fleisher* is a partner in the Banking & Specialty Finance Group at Cassels. Jonathan’s practice focuses on the commercial finance industry with an emphasis on innovative cross-border transactions and equipment and asset finance. He offers niche experience assisting public and private US commercial finance companies with both establishing operations in Canada and purchasing and selling finance and lease companies. Jonathan’s work includes structured finance, public and private securitization, and commercial and consumer leasing issues and extends to all forms of debt finance including sub-debt, venture financings, convertible debt, and asset-based lending. He also has extensive experience in renewable energy financing projects including solar, co-gen, and retrofit. Jonathan is recognized as a leader in his field by such authorities as Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He was recently named as one of the 40 Most Influential Equipment Finance Lawyers in North America by Leasing News and was named Toronto’s Lawyer of the Year for Equipment Finance Law by Best Lawyers in 2022.

Jonathan’s representative work includes having acted for:

  • Stonebriar Commercial Finance Canada in its securitization of US$650 million of equipment finance contracts
  • A multi-state US bank in the establishment of a non-bank subsidiary
  • A top-tier multi-national US bank with a US$200 million lease facility for a Fortune 200 Canadian entity
  • An auto leaser portfolio in its securitization for a private issuer
  • Lenders, arrangers and borrowers on the lease and debt financings of railcars

Jonathan is an avid lecturer and writer on both a domestic and international level. He is also a prolific writer on topics related to equipment finance and cross-border transactions. Jonathan has recently co-authored the authoritative book Equipment Finance in Canada and completed both the Equipment Finance and Subordinated Debt chapters for Canadian Forms & Precedents, all published by LexisNexis. He has also drafted specific guides for US lenders expanding operations to Canada.

*Services provided through a Professional Corporation

Mark T. Bennett

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Mark Bennett* is a partner in the Mining Group at Cassels. Mark practises corporate and securities law with an emphasis on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He provides strategic and transactional advice to Canadian and international mining companies involved in business combinations, take-over bids, domestic and cross-border public offerings, private placements, metal streaming and royalty transactions, and stock exchange listings. Mark’s corporate finance experience includes equity, convertible instruments and debt. He has advised exploration, development and producing resource companies in the Americas, Eastern Europe, Africa and Australia on property acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures and option agreements. His practice also includes acting for investment dealers in public and private corporate finance transactions as well as mergers and acquisitions. Mark also advises boards of directors and special committees on corporate governance and securities law compliance, including mineral project disclosure.

Mark is also adjunct professor of law at Western University where he teaches Mining Law and Sustainability.

Mark is recognized as a leader in his field by such authorities as Chambers Global, Chambers Canada, and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.

*Services provided through a Professional Corporation