overview
Jeffrey is a Partner in the Advocacy and Litigation Group at McMillan LLP. He assists in the resolution of commercial disputes, with a focus on those disputes arising in the context of an insolvency or corporate restructuring. Jeffrey has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, and regularly argues cases before Judges of the Toronto Commercial List. He has extensive trial experience in court and arbitration forums, and was recognized by Global Restructuring Review as top "40 Under 40" world's leading restructuring specialists for 2016. Jeffrey is the Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Insolvency Section.
Representative Matters
- Acted for a large municipal utility in the settlement of a multi-million delay liquidated damages claim within the CCAA proceeding of an international general contractor
- Represented in Canada an official committee of equity security holders established under US bankruptcy law in a cross-border proceeding involving a multinational sport apparel manufacturer
- Represented a major raw material supplier to a Canadian manufacturer that was the subject of CCAA proceedings
- Represented a US-based landlord in a multi-million dollar contested claim against an insolvent guarantor of a disclaimed lease where the guarantor was the subject of CCAA proceedings
- Acted for the debtor in CCAA proceedings, obtaining approval for DIP financing opposed by the company's senior creditor
- Acted for receivers and senior secured creditors in receiverships involving liquidations and going-concern sales
- Represented the interests of landlords in receivership proceedings of insolvent tenants
- At the Ontario Court of Appeal, obtained a declaration as to priority under the Personal Property Security Act for a secured equipment supplier
- Advised all players in the construction pyramid on construction law issues including the requirement for holdback, lien rights, preservation and perfection of liens and vacating or discharging liens
- Resolved, in court and out of court, disputes between corporate shareholders, landlords and tenants, manufacturers and distributors and employers and employees
Publications
Where the Restructuring Meets the Road: the Intersection Between Insolvency Proceedings and Construction Law
Amendments to the CCAA, BIA and CBCA Now in Force
Alberta Court of Appeal Ranks CCAA Super-priority Charges Ahead of CRA's Deemed Trust, but Uncertainty Remains
Court Counsels Engagement with Creditor before Ruling on Proofs of Claim
Canadian Corporate & Restructuring Legislation: Changes Could be on the Way
The Queen v. Callidus Capital Corporation Overturned;
Lenders Breathe a Sigh of Relief, But For How Long?
Your Halloween Edition: The Ghost of the Terminated GST/HST Deemed Trust
Broken Break Fee: Investor's Claim for a Break Fee Denied in CCAA Proceeding
Post Up: Creditor Ordered to Deposit Security for Costs in British Columbia Bankruptcy Proceeding
Perfection is Critical to Maintaining Priority Over Judgment Creditors
Re MtGox: Using the BIA to Recognize Foreign Insolvency Proceedings
Revisiting, Then Revising, Old Contracts: Court of Appeal Considers Test for Rectification
Preferential Payments: Commercial Imperative Or Creditor Pressure?
Lift Stay Motion More Likely to Succeed in a Liquidating CCAA
Certainty of contract prevails: Trial judge erred in enforcing an implied contractual term
He who suffers later, suffers less: among ponzi scheme victims, court favours those who invested towards fund's end
Check those cheques: Is the payee plausible?
Special relationships may not be so special
Banks have Right to Hold Tight in Paying Cheques - Ontario Court holds that banks need not bear the risks of cheques being dishonored
Banks have right to hold tight in paying cheques: Ontario court holds that banks need not bear the risks of cheques being dishonoured
Beware – indemnify a Canadian company and you may just find yourself stuck in a Canadian Court
Ontario Court of Appeal clarifies enforceability of exclusive jurisdiction clauses
verify those verification clauses – an update to account agreements may be in order
Judicial Review - Another Weapon to Challenge Government Tendering Decisions?
Construction Law in Canada
Trust Me! – Ontario Court of Appeal expands pool of trust beneficiaries under the Construction Lien Act
Exposing the Mess Swept Under the Rug: Supreme Court of Canada Orders Damages for Breach of Tendering Contract
The Lien Clock Doesn't Tick Forever
Show Me the Money: Security for Costs in Commercial Arbitrations
The Rules, They Are A Changin'
A Broker's Word is Its Bond: Verbal Contract Held Binding in UBS v. Sands
Creditors' Use of the Oppression Remedy
News
McMillan Recognized for 114 Rankings in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in Canada
62 McMillan Lawyers Recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
13 McMillan Lawyers Recognized in the 2020 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide
Jeffrey Levine recognized in the Global Restructuring Review – 40 Under 40
Lisa Brost, Jeffrey Levine and Stephanie Robinson are published in the National Banking Law Review
Education
- University of Western Ontario, LLB - 2007
- York University, B.Sc. (Hons. Space Communications Physics) - 2004
Year Of Call
- Called to the Ontario bar - 2008
Practices
business litigation
restructuring and insolvency
litigation
Industries
banking, finance and insurance
commercial real estate
mining
Directorships and Professional Associations
- Ontario Bar Association – Chair of the Insolvency Section Executive Committee
- Canadian Bar Association – Executive Member of the National Insolvency Section
- Toronto Lawyers Association
- Advocates’ Society
Teaching Engagements
- 2019 Osgoode Construction Law Certificate Program – Intersection of Construction and Insolvency Law
- 2018 CBA Insolvency Law Conference – Featured Panel Member – Bricks and Mortars: Even Giants Fall – Panel explored the issues that arise when retail fails
- 2018 - Advocates’ Society Mentoring Dinner Series - Mentor
- 2016 Osgoode-Schulich JD/MBA Conference – Featured Panel Member – Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns in Business Transactions
Awards & Rankings
- Recognized by the Best Lawyers in Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
- Recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Leading Lawyer to Watch in the area of Insolvency & Financial Restructuring: Insolvency Litigation
- Recognized in the 2020 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide as a Future Star
- Global Restructuring Review 2016 - 40 Under 40