Daphne MacKenzie

Daphne MacKenzie stands as a distinguished partner and past leader of the Banking & Finance Group, also holding a place on the firm's Partnership Board. Her legal practice delves into banking, project finance, restructurings, insolvency, and public debt securities. Daphne represents both financial entities and borrowers in complex banking and project finance transactions that span across borders. She also provides her expertise to creditors, debtors, receivers, and monitors in the realm of commercial insolvencies and restructurings, along with advising private equity funds on leveraged acquisitions and serving as corporate counsel to a plethora of Canadian corporations.

In the specific area of project finance within the mining sector, Daphne advises lenders, sponsors, and borrowers on significant transactions. These projects are not limited to Canada but extend through the United States, South America, Europe, and Africa, highlighting her global reach and expertise.

Her proficiency and leadership in the legal field have earned her recognition in numerous respected legal publications, particularly for her work in Banking & Finance, Project Finance, and Asset-Based Lending.

Beyond her practice, Daphne is actively involved in the Canadian Bar Association and has contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor of Advanced Company Law at the University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Law. She also played a crucial role on the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, chairing the committee for a significant period.

Daphne's international experience includes a tenure in the firm’s London office, where she focused on banking, government privatizations, and major project financings and restructurings, including in sectors like aviation and infrastructure in Eastern Europe.

Her areas of expertise encompass a wide range of sectors beyond banking and finance, including Restructuring & Insolvency, Projects & Infrastructure, Mining, Hospitality, and Emissions Trading & Climate Change.

Daphne’s academic background is notable, with an LL.B from the University of British Columbia and an Honours B.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto. She was admitted to the Ontario bar in 1988.

She has received numerous accolades for her work, including being named a leading lawyer in Banking & Finance by Chambers Canada and Global and being recognized as Highly Regarded in Banking and Project Finance by IFLR1000.

Daphne has also made significant contributions to legal literature and thought leadership, including addressing developments in stream transactions and ethical issues in secured lending, showcasing her commitment to advancing the understanding and practice of law in her fields of expertise.