Bakers Toronto taps tax partner Jacques Bernier from Bennett Jones

Baker & McKenzie has strengthened its North American Tax Practice Group by adding Jacques Bernier as a partner in its Toronto office. Mr. Bernier brings to the Firm decades of experience in tax law, with a heavy focus on tax controversy and litigation. Previously, he was a senior partner with a preeminent Canadian law firm.

“We are truly excited to have Jacques join the Firm’s tax practice,” said Leonard Terr, head of the North American Tax Practice Group. “He will add real profile and depth to our Canadian tax practice and will make an excellent addition to our world-class tax controversy and litigation practice in North America.”

“We recognize the importance of tax to our clients and are enthusiastic about adding a lawyer of Jacques’ caliber and character,” added Jim Holloway, Baker & McKenzie’s Managing Partner in Toronto.

Mr. Bernier appears frequently before Canadian courts on a range of tax disputes. Over the course of his career, he has acted for a variety of taxpayers on substantial and complex matters, including resource companies, oil and gas businesses, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, information technology and high-tech companies, professional service firms and select individuals. He has significant experience representing Canadian companies and multinational corporations with Canadian interests before federal and provincial tax authorities in a variety of areas including income, capital, commodity and mining taxation. His practice focus will continue to be tax controversies and litigation with an emphasis on transfer pricing. Mr. Bernier has been recognized in various legal directories, including The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for Corporate Tax Litigation, and Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

In additon to his active practice, Mr. Bernier speaks and writes regularly on tax issues. He is a contributing editor of Tax Litigation and an active member of several organizations, including: the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society, L’Association de planification fiscale et financière, The Advocates Society, and the Toronto Centre TSO Canada Revenue Agency and Tax Professionals Consultation Group. He is also a former member of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Appeals Advisory Committee.