Frances Macklin

Frances K. Macklin, based in Toronto, plays a pivotal role at Gowling WLG as a seasoned counsel within the Financial Institutions & Services Group. Her career is distinguished by a focus on transaction-oriented legal work, particularly in the realms of acquisitions, dispositions, and complex structured financings.

With an extensive background that spans roles as a partner in private law practice and as corporate counsel, Frances has cultivated a versatile skill set. She is adept at navigating the intricacies of both asset and loan transactions, whether it involves single assets or extensive portfolios. Her proficiency extends to representing a diverse clientele, ranging from institutional entities to dynamic entrepreneurial ventures.

Frances’s legal expertise encompasses a wide spectrum of financial transactions. She is known for her work in both secured and unsecured financing, adeptly representing the interests of lenders and borrowers alike. Her engagement with non-traditional financing channels, such as those involving private equity entities like trusts and limited partnerships, as well as investments from institutional bodies like pension funds, further showcases her adaptability and innovative approach to legal challenges.

Moreover, her involvement in construction lending, along with her skill in navigating the enforcement of loan agreements and security measures—including the foreclosure of properties and the initiation of receiverships—highlights her comprehensive understanding of financial law. Frances is equally proficient in the delicate processes of loan restructuring and the negotiation of forbearance agreements, ensuring her clients navigate financial distress with strategic guidance.

Frances's contributions to the legal field, especially in real estate and financial law, have not gone unnoticed. Her expertise has been recognized globally, with a notable inclusion in Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business in 2015 for her achievements in Real Estate. Her accolades include consecutive acknowledgments in Best Lawyers in Canada from 2021 through 2023, affirming her sustained excellence and leadership in her practice areas.

Her legal education, grounded with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta—where she was awarded the Finance medal—and an LLB from the University of Toronto, laid the foundation for her distinguished career. Since her call to the Ontario Bar in 1984, Frances has built a career marked by dedication, innovation, and a commitment to serving her clients with integrity and expertise.

Beyond her specific practice areas in Financial Institutions & Services, Real Estate, and FinTech Law, Frances's career trajectory and the recognitions she has received speak to her prowess and respected standing in the legal community. Her journey reflects a commitment to excellence and a versatile approach to the evolving challenges within the financial and real estate sectors.