Raj S. Sahni

Partner

T: 416.777.4804 / E: sahnir@bennettjones.com

Toronto

Raj Sahni is a partner in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group and the chair of the firm's India Committee. His 20+ years of experience includes complex international and cross-border insolvencies, formal and informal debt workouts and restructurings, receiverships, bankruptcies, Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act restructurings and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act proposals.

Chambers Canada

"Clients say he is 'very good at detailed legal agreement reviews,' while others say he 'is able to articulate complex issues in a very clear manner - he has the gift of being able to concisely and practically explain things.'"

Raj also acts for lenders and secured creditors in secured financing and asset based lending transactions and purchasers of assets and shares in insolvency proceedings and distress situations.

As chair of the firm's India Committee, Raj also assists the firm's Canadian clients in seeking out and realizing upon opportunities in the fast growing Indian market and assists Indian and multinational companies with investments and acquisitions in Canada, with a particular focus on distressed assets and companies. Raj is regularly sought out for his expertise in this area and has contributed numerous articles to the India Business Law Journal on India-Canada trade and investment issues.

Raj was recently named by the India Business Law Journal as one of the top 100 international lawyers for India-related matters.

Select Experience

Court-appointed Monitor, in the Stelco Inc. (formerly U.S. Steel Canada) CCAA proceedings
SunEdison Canada, in its CCAA proceedings
Avenue Capital Management, in the Essar Steel Algoma CCAA proceedings
Canadian Counsel to Detroit Windsor Tunnel LLC, in the American Roads sale process and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
2Source Manufacturing Inc., in its receivership proceedings
Urbancorp Cumberland, 2 companies in the Urban CCAA proceedings
Menkes Development Ltd., in the Target Canada CCAA proceedings
Sino-Forest Corporation, in its CCAA restructuring
Hollinger Canadian Publishing Holdings Co., in its CCAA proceedings
Canadian Counsel to the bondholders in Nortel, involving international insolvency proceedings

Recent Recognitions

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

Repeatedly Recommended, Insolvency & Financial Restructuring
Chambers Canada

Ranked, Restructuring/Insolvency
Chambers Global

Band 5, Restructuring/Insolvency
Best Lawyers in Canada

Recognized for Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
Expert Guides

Recognized as an expert guide in the area of banking, finance and transactional and restructuring and insolvency
India Business Law Journal International A-List

Recognized on International A-List

Recent Insights, News & Events

Chambers Global Ranks Bennett Jones Lawyers in 2025 Guide
Announcements / February 13, 2025
Bennett Jones has been recognized in the Chambers Global Guide 2025, with 49 lawyers ranked across 19 practice areas. Clients in Canada and around the world trust us to navigate their most complex legal matters. Our inclusion in Chambers Global Guide 2025 highlights our commitment to an exceptional client experience, deep industry knowledge and long-standing client relationships.
Bennett Jones Top Ranked in Chambers Canada 2025
Announcements / September 26, 2024
Bennett Jones is proud to have once again been recognized as one of Canada’s leading law firms across 41 practice areas, with 135 lawyer rankings in Chambers Canada 2025. These rankings reflect the deep trust our clients place in us to solve their most complex legal matters and underscore our lawyers' extensive understanding of their industries and businesses, enabling us to consistently deliver an exceptional experience. In this year's guide, Bennett Jones has 10 Band 1 practice rankings, 20 Band 1 lawyer rankings and 10 newly-ranked lawyers. In addition to this year's rankings, Bennett Jones was awarded Class Action Law Firm of the Year and was a finalist for Real Estate Law Firm of the Year.
Chambers Global Ranks Bennett Jones Lawyers in 2024 Edition
Announcements / February 15, 2024
Bennett Jones has 49 lawyer rankings across 19 practice areas in Chambers Global 2024. Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering 49 detailed rankings and insight into the world's leading lawyers.
Bennett Jones Top Ranked in Chambers Canada 2024
Announcements / September 28, 2023
Bennett Jones has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading law firms across 39 practice areas, with 124 lawyer rankings in Chambers Canada 2024. In this year's guide, Bennett Jones has 11 Band 1 practice rankings, 21 Band 1 lawyer rankings and 10 newly-ranked lawyers. In addition to this year's rankings, Bennett Jones was awarded Real Estate Law Firm of the Year and was a finalist in Projects and Energy Law Firm of the Year.
Bennett Jones Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2024
Announcements / August 24, 2023
104 Bennett Jones lawyers have been recognized across 46 practice areas in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada. The recognized lawyers work in Bennett Jones' offices across Canada in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver, highlighting the firm's national expertise.
Chambers Global Ranks Bennett Jones Lawyers in 2023 Edition
Announcements / March 06, 2023
Bennett Jones has 50 lawyer rankings across 19 practice areas in Chambers Global 2023. Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world's leading lawyers.
Raj Sahni Speaks on Cryptocurrency and Insolvency Issues in Washington
Speaking Engagements / September 12, 2022
Raj Sahni joins a panel discussing cryptocurrency and insolvency issues at the inaugural Cryptocurrency Fraud and Asset Recovery Network (CFAAR), North America Chapter event in Washington, D.C.
Bennett Jones: "Top Tier" in Chambers Canada 2022
Announcements / September 16, 2021
Bennett Jones has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading law firms across 38 practice areas, with 111 lawyer rankings in Chambers Canada 2022. Bennett Jones has 8 Band 1 practice rankings and 14 Band 1 lawyer rankings in this year's guide.
Bennett Jones' Best Lawyers in Canada 2022
Announcements / August 26, 2021
146 Bennett Jones lawyers have been recognized across 48 practice areas in the Best Lawyers in Canada 2022 edition, with 44 lawyers having earned recognition in multiple practice areas. The recognized lawyers work in Bennett Jones' offices across Canada in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver, highlighting the firm's national expertise.
Bennett Jones in Chambers Global 2021
Announcements / February 21, 2021
Bennett Jones has 51 lawyer rankings in 18 practice areas in Chambers Global 2021. Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world's leading lawyers.
Bennett Jones is Recognized in Chambers Canada 2021
Announcements / September 10, 2020
Bennett Jones has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading law firms across 38 practice areas, with 115 lawyer rankings in Chambers Canada 2021.
Bennett Jones in Chambers Global 2020
Announcements / February 13, 2020
Bennett Jones has 50 lawyer rankings in 17 practice areas around the world in Chambers Global 2020.
The New Duty of Good Faith in Canadian Insolvency Proceedings
Blog / January 27, 2020
Canada’s two main insolvency and restructuring statutes, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) were recently amended to include a new duty of good faith on the part of all “interested persons” involved in an insolvency proceeding.
Raj Sahni Presents to the Canadian Bond Investors' Association Annual Conference
Speaking Engagements / November 06, 2019
Raj Sahni presented at the annual Canadian Bond Investors' Association on the latest amendments to insolvency and corporate law and issues of particular importance to bondholders. A copy of Raj's presentation is available.
Bennett Jones' Leading Lawyers in Chambers Canada 2020
Announcements / September 19, 2019
Bennett Jones has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading law firms with over 100 recognized practitioners nationally in Chambers Canada 2020. Here are a few things clients have said: “The [...]
Raj Sahni Appears Before the Canadian Senate Banking and Finance Committee
Speaking Engagements / May 15, 2019
Raj Sahni appears before the Canadian Senate Banking and Finance Committee to provide views on behalf of the Canadian Bond Investors Association as to some of the problems with the proposed latest amendments to the BIA and CCAA. A video of Raj's appearance is available.
Raj Sahni Presents at the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce Doing Business with India Seminar
Speaking Engagements / March 28, 2019
Raj Sahni presented at Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce Doing Business with India Seminar on Canada-India trade and investment, legal issues, opportunities and risks - Doing Business in India - Some Key Issues.
Raj Sahni Presents at the Association of Canadian Pension Managers Webinar on Enhancing Retirement Security
Speaking Engagements / March 20, 2019
Raj Sahni presented at Association of Canadian Pension Managers webinar on Enhancing Retirement Security on corporate governance and insolvency law issues of particular importance to pension managers and administrators.
Bennett Jones in Chambers Global 2019
Announcements / February 14, 2019
Bennett Jones has 48 lawyer rankings in 15 practice areas around the world in Chambers Global 2019.
Raj Sahni Participates in Consul General of India Roundtable on Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Speaking Engagements / December 07, 2018
Raj Sahni participated in the Consul General of India's roundtable on Insolvency and Bankruptcy and discussed Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency laws and opportunities for Canadian investment relating to India's new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
No Deemed Trust for Unremitted GST and HST Post-Bankruptcy
Blog / November 13, 2018
In a unanimous decision issued November 8, 2018, the Supreme Court of Canada granted the appeal of the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal in Canada v Callidus Capital Corp, 2017 FCA 162. Secured [...]
Four Bennett Jones Practices Ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global 2017
Announcements / March 16, 2017
The 2017 Chambers Global Rankings are out and Bennett Jones is once again noted as a top-ranked law firm. Forty-nine lawyers in 25 practice areas are recognized in the publication. Of particular note are the four practices and nine lawyers recognized in Band 1.
Directors' Duties in Canada, 6th ed.
Articles / April 06, 2016
Members of Bennett Jones were involved in the writing of various chapters of Directors' Duties in Canada, 6th ed., edited by Barry Reiter and published in Canada by CCH Canadian Limited, including Hugo Alves, Milos Barutciski, Melissa Birman, Stephen Burns, Carl Cunningham, Geoffrey Dyer, Len Griffiths, Bruce Hibbard, Mark Jewett, Martin Kratz, Jeff Leon, Brad Markel, Jesslyn Maurier, Murray Perelman, Raj Sahni, Susan Seller, Gary Solway, Bill Vass, and Claire Webster.
Canadian Oil Sector may be a Good Bet as Prices Bleed
Articles / February 01, 2015
Raj Sahni authors "Canadian Oil Sector may be a Good Bet as Prices Bleed."
Pension Priorities in Canada: An Update for Lenders
Articles / January 14, 2014
Financiers and lenders to Canadian companies have become increasingly concerned about potential priorities of pension claims in Canada over the past year following the 1 February 2013 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) in the Indalex case (Sun Indalex Finance, LLC v. United Steelworkers, 2013 SCC 6). Much of this concern may have been caused by conjecture as to how the SCC's decision would be applied in future insolvency proceedings, rather than the relatively narrow issue that was actually before the SCC in Indalex. A more recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court (Grant Forest Products v. GE Canada Leasing Services Company, 2013 ONSC 5933) helps to clarify issues arising from Indalex in a manner that may be helpful to lenders. Published in the January 2014 issue of Financier Worldwide.
MOU represents Milestone in Oil and Gas Cooperation
Articles / December 19, 2013
Co-authored by Raj Sahni and Karma Dolkar and originally appeared in the December 2013/January 2014 edition of India Business Law Journal.
Substantive Series: Doing Business with New and Emerging Markets: Key Issues for Canadian Businesses
Bennett Jones Academy Events / December 04, 2013
Join Bennett Jones and our expert panel for a discussion which will focus on understanding the political, economic and legal framework of new and emerging markets; trade relations and membership in trade blocs; and dealing with cultural differences.
Expansion of Wood Exports Latest Step in Bilateral Trade
Articles / September 03, 2013
Published in the September 2013 edition of India Business Law Journal.
Progress on India-Canada Nuclear Cooperation Accord
Articles / June 05, 2013
Published in the June 2013 edition of India Business Law Journal.
New Concerns for Bondholders, Lenders and Other Creditors Following SCC's Indalex Decision
Updates / February 12, 2013
On February 1, 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released its much-awaited decision in the Indalex case. While the central issue in Indalex was the priority of wind-up deficiencies in defined benefit pension plans versus court-ordered debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing charges under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (CCAA), the SCC also considered whether claims for wind-up deficiencies are covered by deemed trusts under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (PBA). This issue is of particular importance to lenders, bondholders and other creditors both in the ordinary course and in an insolvency or restructuring.
Spotlight on Enterprises Owned by Foreign States
Articles / December 19, 2012
Co-authored with Karma Dolkar and published in the December 2012/January 2013 edition India Business Law Journal.
Directors' Duties in Canada, 5th ed.
Articles / December 07, 2012
Members of Bennett Jones were involved in the writing of various chapters of Directors' Duties in Canada, 5th ed., edited by Barry Reiter and published in Canada by CCH Canadian Limited, including Hugo Alves, Melissa Birman, Corinne Bordman, Paul Cantor, Duncan Card, Jane Freeman, Len Griffiths, Martin Kratz, Jeff Leon, Jesslyn Maurier, Paul Moore, Murray Perelman, Raj Sahni, Susan Seller, Gary Solway, David Spencer, Bill Vass, Claire Webster and Zach Justein.
Update on India-Canada Economic Partnership Pact
Articles / July 19, 2012
Published in the July/August 2012 edition of India Business Law Journal.
Raj Sahni Comments on Canada-India Deals in Globe and Mail
In The News / July 18, 2012
In the Globe and Mail article, "Bay Street Firms Have Eyes on India," Raj Sahni comments on law firm efforts to gain business from India, stating "We've taken a long-term approach... and that is the way you've got to do it... The deals are going to come but they are going to be slow coming."
Future looks bright after Year of India in Canada
Articles / February 09, 2012
Published in the February 2012 edition of India Business Law Journal.
Raj Sahni Interviewed on ET Now
In The News / June 16, 2011
Raj Sahni is interviewed on ET Now regarding Indian and other foreign investment in Canadian oil and gas projects.
India, Alberta & Saskatchewan: Natural Partners
Articles / June 01, 2011
Last year's $40 billion bid for Canada's largest potash company by Australian miner BHP Billiton, while ultimately unsuccessful, helped focus the spotlight on the abundant natural resources of Canada and the unique mix of resources available in Saskatchewan and Alberta in particular. With its phenomenal continuing growth, India's appetite for resources of every variety has also grown exponentially, and the resources available in Alberta and Saskatchewan stand out as perhaps the most compatible with India's needs. Published in the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce's Annual Magazine 2011.
2011: The Promising ‘Year of India in Canada'
Articles / April 04, 2011
The year 2011 has been dubbed the “year of India in Canada” by the Indian and Canadian governments. While the main focus may be on the International Indian Film Academy Awards and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be hosted in Toronto in June, numerous recent events have set the stage for 2011 to be a banner year for economic and business relations between the two countries. Originally published in the April 2011 edition of India Business Law Journal.
International Expansion Considerations for Canadian Manufacturers – A Focus on India
Speaking Engagements / March 30, 2011
Raj Sahni participates in Deloitte's Focus on India webcast, Wednesday, March 30, from 10-11:00am EST. He presents, "Key Risk Considerations, and How These Risks can be Mitigated for Successful Expansion into India."
Raj Sahni in Financial Post
In The News / March 19, 2011
In the Financial Post article by Theresa Tedesco, "Destructuring: Where The Meter is Always Running," Raj Sahni discusses the complexity of today's corporate restructurings and concern over the escalation of professional fees.
Canada: Land of Opportunity for Indian Businesses
Articles / February 01, 2011
The recent US$40 billion bid for Canada's largest potash company by Australian miner BHP Billiton, while unsuccessful, helped focus the spotlight on Canada as one of the world's greatest providers of natural resources. India's appetite for resources of every kind is undeniable and, while it already looks to Canada for some of its resource needs (Canada is one of its largest suppliers of lentils and other pulses), there is potential for greater trade between the two countries, particularly in natural resources and agriculture. Originally published in the February 2011 edition of India Business Law Journal.
Bennett Jones Announces Eleven New Partners
Announcements / March 27, 2007
Bennett Jones welcomes the following lawyers into the partnership: Derek Bell, Stephen Burns, Andrea Froese, Alan Gardner, Dominique Hussey, Andrew Kingsmill, Jason Marino, Sian Matthews, Thomas McInerney, Jean-Pierre Pham, and Raj Sahni.