Alex Pankratz moves to Baker’s Toronto tax team

Alex Pankratz has joined Baker & McKenzie’s Global Tax Practice in Toronto as a partner, further strengthening the Firm’s capabilities advising global, US and Canadian companies on Canadian tax planning and transactional matters.

“Alex’s tax planning and transactional capabilities will provide our clients with valuable insight as they pursue business opportunities in Canada,” said Len Terr, Chair of the Firm’s North America Tax Practice. “We are pleased to welcome him to the Firm.”

Mr. Pankratz has significant experience advising Canadian, US and global companies in the heavy manufacturing and sales, energy, real estate, private equity, pharmaceutical and retail industries. He frequently counsels clients on Canadian tax matters involving:

• public M&A, including public company takeovers, going public transactions, significant asset purchases and Canadian aspects of foreign reorganizations;
• private M&A, including private equity investments into Canada, joint venture structuring, asset and share purchases, renewable energy projects and real estate portfolio investments;
• reorganizations, including loss consolidations, business unit transfers, divisive reorganizations and partnership reorganizations; and
• tax advisory services, including doing business in Canada, ceasing to carry on business, tax disputes and advance tax rulings with the Canada Revenue Agency and lobbying for legislative change with the Department of Finance.

“Given the growing significance of the Canadian marketplace and economy for multinationals, we are focused on building a robust corporate and tax practice that offers the integrated and comprehensive support companies need to successfully expand in Canada and around the world,” said Kevin Coon, Managing Partner of the Firm’s Toronto office. “Alex’s joining greatly complements the team of corporate and tax partners we have in Toronto and we look forward to working with him.”

Mr. Pankratz is the latest in a series of partners to join the Tax Practice in North America. Earlier this month, Marc Kushner joined the Firm in Chicago. In addition, James Wilson relocated from the Firm’s London office to New York. The Toronto office has also recently added corporate and securities partner,Michael Smith.

“Baker & McKenzie’s unmatched global platform offers clients in Canada a unique perspective, and its tax practice is among the very best,” said Mr. Pankratz. “I am pleased to join such a dynamic Firm.”

Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie, Mr. Pankratz was a partner at Osler in Toronto. He received his LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario in 1994 and his Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo in 1987. Mr. Pankratz has been admitted to practice law in Ontario since 1996. He is also a Chartered Accountant, and received his CA designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1989.