Lawyer Profile
Steven L. Graff
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
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.
Represented RBC in its successful application for the appointment of a receiver over the assets, undertakings and properties of International Trucking Inc. and related entity, following dismissal of an adjournment request and grant of the receivership order in contested proceedings.
Represented RBC in its successful application for the appointment of a receiver over the assets, undertakings and properties of Lion Force Transport Inc. and related entities, following dismissal of a competing CCAA application.
Represented the receiver, Albert Gelman Inc., in obtaining court approval of a vesting order and sale transaction involving substantially all assets of Woodington Estates Inc. and related entities, including Woodington Lake Golf Club, following a court-supervised receivership sale process.
Acted for The Fuller Landau Group in its capacity as proposal trustee in Indie Alehouse Brewing Co.’s filing of a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1991 (ON)