Denis Ferland

Partner

Denis Ferland

Denis Ferland

Partner

Bar Admissions
  • Québec, 1984

Clients turn to Denis for his detailed knowledge of insolvency matters.

Denis specializes in bankruptcy, insolvency, financial restructuring and related litigation, as well as general commercial litigation. An experienced and dynamic lawyer, Denis offers practical, proactive advice based on his extensive legal knowledge and business sense. His clients include large multinationals, banks and financial services institutions, creditors, debtors and court officers (including trustees, monitors and receivers).

Denis is a skilled litigator who knows how to put his clients’ interests at the forefront. Over his 30-year career, he has developed creative solutions in many of Québec’s most significant restructuring and insolvency matters – his knowledge, creativity and innovation paving the way for countless reorganizations and transactions.

A long-time instructor for the ‎Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional Qualification Program, Denis is a seasoned communicator who is known for his ability to distill complex information into simple terms and is regularly called upon to speak at conferences.

Denis is president of the Insolvency Institute of Canada.

Denis Ferland

Partner

Clients turn to Denis for his detailed knowledge of insolvency matters.

Denis specializes in bankruptcy, insolvency, financial restructuring and related litigation, as well as general commercial litigation. An experienced and dynamic lawyer, Denis offers practical, proactive advice based on his extensive legal knowledge and business sense. His clients include large multinationals, banks and financial services institutions, creditors, debtors and court officers (including trustees, monitors and receivers).

Denis is a skilled litigator who knows how to put his clients’ interests at the forefront. Over his 30-year career, he has developed creative solutions in many of Québec’s most significant restructuring and insolvency matters – his knowledge, creativity and innovation paving the way for countless reorganizations and transactions.

A long-time instructor for the ‎Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional Qualification Program, Denis is a seasoned communicator who is known for his ability to distill complex information into simple terms and is regularly called upon to speak at conferences.

Denis is president of the Insolvency Institute of Canada.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., SAI

Acting for PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., SAI in its capacity as trustee of Just for Laughs Group in proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act

HSBC Bank Canada

Acting for HSBC Bank Canada, the most important secured creditor and interim lender, in connection with the restructuring proceedings of Ébénisterie St-Urbain, Woodlore and Euro-Rite Cabinets under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

Revera Inc.

Acted for Revera Inc. with the acquisition of Groupe Sélection Inc.’s interest in 25 seniors' residences and long-term care homes in Québec as part of Groupe Sélection Inc.’s restructuration under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). Following the transaction, Revera Inc. became the sole owner of such portfolio of residences which has an estimated value of 1.3B. 

The Aldo Group Inc.

Acted for The Aldo Group Inc. in its successful restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. This restructuring won Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Law Awards.

HSBC Bank of Canada

Acting for HSBC Bank of Canada in its capacity as operating lender and DIP lender to Ernest Enterprises (Mtl) Ltd.

Reitmans (Canada) Limited

Acting for Reitmans (Canada) Limited, a TSX-listed clothing retailer with approximately 600 stores across Canada operating under five different banners (Reitmans, Penningtons, Addition Elle, Thyme Maternity and RW&CO), in its restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

Ernst & Young Inc.

Acted for Ernst & Young Inc., a Court-appointed Monitor, in connection with the restructuring of Quebecor World Inc. and 53 of its subsidiaries in excess of US$2.8 billion of liabilities and emerged from protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code pursuant to Plans of Reorganization approved by creditors and courts in both countries.

Alvarez & Marsal Canada ULC

Acted for Alvarez & Marsal Canada ULC as monitor of Maax Inc. and its subsidiaries under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and proceedings under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Tata Chemicals Limited

Acted as Canadian counsel to India-based Tata Chemicals Limited in its acquisition of General Chemical Industrial Products Inc. in a transaction valued at US$1 billion, making Tata Chemicals one of the largest soda ash producers in the world.

HSBC Bank Canada

Acting for HSBC Bank Canada, the most important guaranteed creditor of ROL Manufacturing (Canada) Ltd. and its subsidiaries, in relation to its restructuring attempt under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings and United States Chapter 15 proceedings of ROL Manufacturing and its subsidiaries.

Catalyst Fund (Cable Satisfaction International Inc.)

Acted for Catalyst Fund in connection with the restructuring of Cable Satisfaction International Inc. under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and the sale of principal subsidiary Cabovisao Televisao Por Cabo, S.A. to Cogeco Inc.

Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation

Acted for Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation, a non-agent Crown corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corporation, in connection with Air Canada's approximately $6-billion financing agreements with the Government of Canada through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) program.

Nemaska Lithium Inc.

Acted for Nemaska Lithium Inc. in proceedings instituted by Victor Cantore requesting that Nemaska be compelled to convey him a 3% net smelter return royalty on all metals extracted from Nemaska's Whabouchi mine.

The Pallinghurst Group

Acted for The Pallinghurst Group, a private investor in the global natural resources sector, in its joint 50-50 acquisition with Investissement Québec of Québec-based Nemaska Lithium Inc. pursuant to a sales process under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. The acquisition was structured as a credit bid with Nemaska's largest secured creditor, Orion Mine Finance, and achieved through a reverse vesting order granted by the Superior Court of Québec and upheld by the Québec Court of Appeal.

Québecor Inc.

Acted for Québecor Inc. in connection with its proposed acquisition of Cirque du Soleil and related insolvency proceedings.

Freemark Apparel Brands Inc., Freemark Apparel Brands USA, Inc., Freemark Apparel Brands ESP Inc. and Freemark

Acting for Freemark Apparel Brands Inc., Freemark Apparel Brands USA, Inc., Freemark Apparel Brands ESP Inc. and Freemark Apparel Brands TEC Inc., in their restructuring under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).

Hale Capital Partners

Acted for Hale Capital Partners in connection with a debtor in possession loan to RB Energy Inc. in a Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceeding.

Raymond Chabot Inc.

Acting for Raymond Chabot Inc. in its capacity as trustee to the proposal of Peloton Pharmaceuticals Inc.

HSBC Bank Canada

Acted for HSBC Bank Canada in connection with the restructuring under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act of the Gray Aqua Group, a major aquaculture group of companies with operations in various eastern Canadian provinces.

HSBC Bank Canada

Acting for HSBC Bank Canada, the most significant creditor of Béton Brunet and its affiliates, in its restructuring attempt under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

MEXX Canada Company

Acted for Mexx Canada Company in its restructuring proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

HSBC Bank Canada

Acting for HSBC Bank Canada, a significant creditor of Homburg Invest Inc. and its subsidiaries, in the restructuring attempt of Homburg Invest Inc. under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

RSM Richter and Royal Bank of Canada

Acted for RSM Richter and Royal Bank of Canada in connection with a personal bankruptcy involving claims of $30 million and the validity of a protective trust.

Ingram Micro Inc.

Acted for Ingram Micro Inc. in connection with the restructuring of Groupe Dumoulin and its affiliates under the Companies' Creditors Arrangements Act.

Vista Equity Partners and P2 Energy Solutions

Acted for Vista Equity Partners, a leading US private equity firm, and P2 Energy Solutions, one of Vista Equity's portfolio companies, in connection with the acquisition by P2ES Holdings, Inc. of the assets of WellPoint Systems Inc. and of its Canadian and US subsidiaries out of receivership for an approximate consideration of US$36 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities.

Aleris International, Inc.

Acted for Aleris International, Inc. in connection with the bankruptcy of Aleris Aluminum Canada S.E.C.

Dune Capital Management LP

Acted for Dune Capital Management LP, a secured creditor in connection with the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings of White Birch Paper Holding Company.

Shermag Inc.

Acted for Shermag Inc. and its subsidiaries in connection with its Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings.

Catalyst Fund Limited Partnership I

Acted for Catalyst Fund Limited Partnership I in the restructuring of Cable Satisfaction International Inc., sponsored by Catalyst, including the sale of Cable Satisfaction's subsidiary, Cabovisao-Televisao por Cabo, S.A., to Cogeco Cable Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at 465 million euros.

Laurentian Bank of Canada

Acted for Laurentian Bank of Canada, a significant secured creditor of Groupe de Scieries GDS and its subsidiaries, in their restructuring attempt under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. Davies was successful in obtaining for the Bank significant modifications to the Initial Order, which led to the Bank's claim being purchased by another creditor.

Eaux Vives Harricana Inc., a subsidiary of Parmalat Canada Inc.

Acted for Eaux Vives Harricana Inc. and its two subsidiaries in its restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). This restructuring resulted in the implementation of a plan of arrangement compromising claims aggregating over $100 million.

Metso Paper Ltd.

Acted for Metso Paper Ltd., a significant creditor of Papiers Gaspésia LLP, in the latter's restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

Segal Apparel Inc.

Acting for Segal Apparel Inc. with financial restructuring matters.

Business Development Bank of Canada

Acted for Business Development Bank of Canada in relation to the restructuring proceedings of Forex Inc. et al. under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.

RBC Financial Group

Acting for RBC Financial Group, a secured creditor, in connection with Groupe Huot’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act proceedings.

Speaking Engagement

Insolvency Institute of Canada, 2021 National Conference, “What are We up to? IIC Initiatives”; Webcast

Nov. 04, 2021

Speaking Engagement

Moderator, Insolvency Institute of Canada, 2021 National Conference, “Looking Forward on Legislative Reform”; Webcast

Nov. 04, 2021

Speaking Engagement

International Insolvency Institute, American College of Bankruptcy and American Bankruptcy Institute, Regional Conference: Brexit Panel Series, “Brexit Aspects on Insolvency & Restructurings from a North American View”; Webinar

Feb. 24, 2021

Speaking Engagement

Moderator, Insolvency Institute of Canada, Annual Conference and General Meeting, “Going, Going Gone… Comments on the National Model Initial Order”; Naples, Florida

Oct. 25, 2019

Speaking Engagement

New York State Bar Association, International Section, “U.S./Canadian Insolvency Proceedings”; Montréal, QC

Oct. 25, 2018

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Restructuring/Insolvency (“long track record and very thorough knowledge of the restructuring environment”)

Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Restructuring/Insolvency

Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys—Insolvency (Litigation Star)

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Restructuring and Insolvency

The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Insolvency and Financial Restructuring

The Legal 500 Canada—Restructuring and Insolvency (Leading Individual)

Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation

Lexpert Special Edition: Restructuring and Insolvency

Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Insolvency

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Insolvency and Financial Restructuring: Insolvency Litigation (Most Frequently Recommended); Financial Restructuring (Most Frequently Recommended)

The Best Lawyers in Canada—Banking and Finance Law; Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law (Lawyer of the Year 2015, Montréal)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers

Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders Restructuring and Insolvency; Who’s Who Legal: Restructuring and Insolvency; Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Restructuring and Insolvency

Expert Guides—Restructuring and Insolvency

Bar Admissions

Québec, 1984

Education

Université Laval, LLB, 1983

Professional Affiliations

Insolvency Institute of Canada
International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL International)
Turnaround Management Association

Board Memberships

Insolvency Institute of Canada, president

Community Involvement

American Bar Association, Bankruptcy division, member
Barreau de Montréal, Liaison Committee of the Superior Court, former president
Canadian Bar Association, member
Insolvency Institute of Canada, Nominating Committee, member

Teaching Engagements

Denis teaches at Université Laval and the National Insolvency Qualification Program – PNRPI.