Canada

Our Canadian lawyers represent entrepreneurs, closely held companies, families and global manufacturers with operations on both sides of the busy U.S.-Canada border in North America.  The Detroit-Windsor border—which encompasses a bridge, a tunnel and ferries—is the busiest in North America and carries a quarter of all U.S. trade with Canada, which was $120 billion in 2011.

From offices in downtown Toronto and Windsor, lawyers with diverse backgrounds and expertise provide seamless representation and counsel in multi-jurisdictional business transactions and litigation including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and insolvencies. Our Canadian lawyers are familiar with American legal concepts and the interaction of Canadian/United States statutory and common law authorities.

Miller Canfield in Canada is uniquely positioned to provide legal services to global firms expanding, investing and establishing operations in Canada. This expertise complements the firm's ability to serve its clients located in the U.S., Poland, Europe, Mexico, India and Asia, who seek a North American presence.  Lawyers assist with trade including NAFTA, tax, customs, immigration and homeland security issues.  Clients rely on Miller Canfield to assist with financing, r&d tax incentives, real estate, retail leasing and employment issues.  Growing market segments include advanced automotive manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, life sciences, private medical practice and franchising.

Aircraft owners, corporate fleet managers and airports are awaiting Canada’s ratification of the international Cape Town Treaty – and can benefit from Miller Canfield’s five years of experience financing and registering aircraft under the Cape Town Treaty in the U.S.

Our Canadian litigation lawyers regularly appear in all courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada, in addition to participating in alternate dispute resolution hearings and mediation. The Canadian Law Group has developed specific expertise in resolving disputes in the automotive, steel and construction industries as well as the enforcement of security to recover debts due on behalf of our clients.

Lawyers in the group also provide services to trustees and executors administering estates holding assets in Canada. Our lawyers are experienced in dealing with the multitude of issues surrounding property owned by non-residents of Canada, a common occurrence in the Great Lakes and East Coast regions.

Defending corporations or their executives against criminal or regulatory charges often requires the ability to sift through complex and extensive documentation. Miller Canfield has the resources and organizational skills to deal with the most difficult fact situation or burdensome discovery process. Our team of experienced lawyers is well able to handle the most complex situation, and ensure that all avenues of defense are carefully reviewed and presented. 

Since corporations in both the U.S. and Canada can be held criminally responsible for acts of their employees, we work hand-in-hand with our compliance team to ensure that clients are properly protected from this growing problem. Whether it is advice related to an ongoing government investigation, or whether the government has already proceeded with charges, we can quickly provide crucial advice at the earliest moment to help resolve a corporation’s most serious problem, the criminal charge. 

From manufacturers to medical practice groups, Miller Canfield’s international offices in the automotive and financial centers of Canada help clients do business better.