Murray Gold

Murray Gold is distinguished for his exceptional work in the pension and employee benefits sector, earning national recognition and the esteemed OBA Pension Award for Excellence in Pension and Benefits Law in 2021. His expertise is highly regarded, with high rankings in Chambers, Lexpert, and Best Lawyers directories. Murray's advisory role extends to the Pension Asset Expert Advisory Panel, focusing on public sector pension accounting issues. His involvement in pension reform and security has been significant, including appointments to Ontario’s Technical Advisory Group on Retirement Security and the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan.

Murray's counsel is sought after by governing boards of public sector and jointly trusteed pension and benefits plans throughout Canada, advising on compliance and best practices. He has been pivotal in representing a wide array of clients in pension litigation and regulatory proceedings, including pension boards, plan sponsors, retiree groups, and active members.

He has played a leading role in pension reform initiatives across various provinces, including Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Alberta, as well as health benefit plan reforms in Ontario and British Columbia. His noteworthy contributions include representing stakeholder interests in major insolvency proceedings and leading the establishment of Canada’s first funded post-retirement health care trust in the auto sector, a groundbreaking endeavor that necessitated the creation of new tax laws.

Murray’s commitment to the field is further evidenced by his recognition as a Fellow of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, an accolade honoring his contributions to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. His leadership within his firm, serving on the Executive Committee and as Managing Partner from 2012-2016, highlights his managerial acumen.

Significant cases include advocating for retirees in the partial wind-up of the McDonnell Douglas Canadian Pension Plan, advising on fiduciary issues during the Stelco Insolvency and Restructuring, and leading negotiations in the auto sector to establish Employee Life Health Trusts. Murray’s impact extends to notable insolvency and restructuring cases, such as Air Canada and the negotiation of successor pension arrangements in the Red Cross insolvency.

Murray's academic background, with an LL.B. from the University of Toronto and an A.B. from Harvard University, provides a solid foundation for his legal practice. His leadership roles, including former chair positions within the Ontario Bar Association Pension and Benefits Section and the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute, underscore his influence and dedication to advancing pension and benefits law.