Back

Lynn McGrade

Partner

Toronto
LMcGrade@blg.com
416.367.6115

Expertise

Jenny Sam

Practice Assistant - Team Leader

Toronto
jsam@blg.com
416.367.6749
416.367.6445

Lynn practises corporate law, with a focus on investment management. She represents both Canadian and foreign fund managers on legal issues related to the provision of advisory services, the distribution of securities, and the establishment, operation and administration of investment products such as:

  • mutual funds
  • exchange-traded funds
  • segregated funds
  • hedge funds
  • closed-end funds
  • pooled fund products

Lynn is a recognized authority on securities registrant regulation, compliance and fund governance. She also has extensive experience in merger and acquisition transactions in the investment industry.

Lynn is the national leader of BLG’s Investment Management Group and the UK and EU Desk. She is also a member of the firm's Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) initiative.

Testimonials

Chambers Canada 2023

"Toronto-based Lynn McGrade is frequently sought after for her advice on a variety of fund structures, and receives particular praise for her expertise in mutual funds."

Chambers Canada 2023

"'Lynn has always provided exceptional service and legal advice.'"

Chambers Canada 2023

"'She is one of the best of the best, she provides quality advice and she consistently communicates.'"

Chambers Canada 2023

"'Lynn is exceptional in every regard.'"

2018 Chambers Canada, Band 1

Sources note that Lynn McGrade "brings an entrepreneurial spirit" to transactions, adding: "She is well respected in the industry, is an expert in the investment fund space and offers sound, practical advice." Sources also remark that she is "very personable and dedicated to her clients." Her practice sees her assist clients with a broad range of issues arising from hedge, closed-end and mutual funds, as well as buyouts

Experience

  • Represented Return on Innovation Advisors Ltd., an investment management firm, in its transaction with Stone Investment Group Limited.
  • Has been involved in the creation and structuring of investment products, including fund-on-fund structures, funds involving derivatives, leverage or short selling and exempt or private funds, exchange-traded funds, listed or closed-end funds, segregated funds, and private equity funds.
  • Frequently provides training and advice on compliance issues impacting securities registrants, including providing assistance with the preparation of policies and procedures and risk-management systems and preparing for and responding to issues related to regulatory compliance audits and surveys.
  • Advises many foreign fund managers and portfolio managers in connection with offering funds or advisory services in Canada.
  • Regularly advises on a wide range of fund governance, securities registrant regulation, sales practices and advertising issues.
  • Regularly assists fund managers with fund restructurings including multi-classing, windups, mergers and terminations.
  • Has acted for industry participants in a large number of merger and acquisition transactions, including sales and purchases of mutual fund businesses, closed-end listed funds, high-net-worth advisory businesses, and IIROC and MFDA members.
  • Deals extensively with issues related to institutional and high net worth managed account businesses and mandates.
  • Proficient in issues relating to custody, brokerage arrangements, repurchase arrangements and securities lending.
  • Has obtained novel and group exemptive relief from various securities requirements.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Past Chair and Board of Directors, National Society of Compliance Professionals

Community Involvement

  • Secretary and Board of Directors, Member, Investment Committee and Finance Committee, Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation
  • Past President, board of directors, Duke of Edinburgh Award Program (Ontario)

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Securities Law), since 2006 (Mutual Funds Law) and in the 2021-2022 editions (Cannabis Law).
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2016) of Chambers Canada — Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Investment Funds (Nationwide)).
  • Recognized in the 2024 (and since 2008) edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Investment Funds & Asset Management; Corporate Mid-Market) and in the 2023 edition (and since 2008) (Corporate Commercial Law).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2022) of Who's Who Legal: Canada (Private Funds).
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2022) of Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A
  • Recognized in the 2022 edition (and since 2020) of IFLR1000 (Capital Markets; Investment Funds; Corporate and M&A).
  • Recognized in the 2020 edition of Lexpert Special Edition: Agribusiness and Cannabis
  • Recognized in the 2020 edition of the Who’s Who Legal (Private Funds - Formation).
  • Recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in the Promotion of Women’ Equality
  • Recipient of the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award in 2013.
  • Recipient of the 2013 Lexpert® Zenith Award.
  • Recognized in every edition of the Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada since 2008.
  • Recognized as a 2017 Acritas Star.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 1990
  • JD, Osgoode Hall Law School, 1988