Preet K. Gill | Restructuring, Insolvency and Complex Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto


Bennett Jones Preet K. Gill Toronto Managing Partner • Co-Head of Research & Opinions Practice Toronto 416.777.6513 gillp@bennettjones.com Education Augustana University/University of Alberta, BA, 2004, with distinction University of Ottawa, LLB, 2007, magna cum laude Bar Admissions Ontario, 2008 Preet Gill is trusted by clients to develop novel solutions to complex litigation and transactional issues, primarily in insolvency and debt restructurings. She has been lauded for her legal acumen, analytical ability and subtle and strategic approach, positioning her clients for success when the stakes are highest. Overview As Toronto Managing Partner, National Co-Head of the Research and Opinions group, and a key Insolvency and Restructuring partner, Preet provides innovative guidance on legal matters that require deep analysis and sound judgment. She focuses on CCAA and CBCA restructurings, appellate-level advocacy, and expert legal opinions that address high-risk and high-impact issues, offering her clients a distinct advantage in their most critical legal decisions. Restructuring & Insolvency Preet has played a central role in many of Canada’s most significant insolvency and restructuring proceedings. Her experience includes representing: Xplore Inc., Loyalty Ventures (Air Miles), Bridging Finance, Calfrac Well Services, Stoneway Capital, Sears Canada, Payless Shoes, Concordia International, Danier Leather, Sherritt International, BioSteel, Ted Baker Canada, Connacher Oil and Gas, Bumble Bee/Clover Leaf Seafoods, NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Corporation, Target Canada, Bonavista Energy Corporation, Bellatrix Exportation and Nortel Networks. Commercial Litigation In addition to her restructuring practice, Preet advises on complex commercial, civil fraud and auditor liability cases. Some of her notable mandates include Sino-Forest Corporation (both the CCAA proceedings and subsequent fraud trial) and Lavender v Miller Bernstein (Ontario Court of Appeal). She regularly appears before all levels of court and is recognized for her strong written advocacy. Industry Leadership & Mentorship In 2022, Preet was awarded the Lexpert Rising Star Award honouring leading lawyers under 40 in Canada. She has been frequently cited in Lexpert's Big Suits and Big Deals, and is recognized as a Leading Lawyer to Watch in Insolvency & Financial Restructuring. A sought-after thought leader in litigation, she is widely published in a number of industry and legal publications on restructuring and insolvency, securities, tax, and litigation matters—including Lexpert, The Globe and Mail, The Lawyer’s Daily and Canadian Lawyer. She is also a contributing author to Directors’ Duties in Canada, 6th edition, published by CCH Canadian Limited. Known for her commitment to talent development and firm leadership, Preet serves on Bennett Jones' Conflicts Committee and previously held roles on several partnership committees, including serving as Chair of the Toronto Student Committee. She is a champion of mentorship at the firm and through external organizations—such as the South Asian Bar Association and South Asian Women in the Law—where she inspires emerging lawyers to lead with purpose, resilience and authenticity in a constantly evolving legal landscape. Select Experience • A consortium of six provincial and three territorial governments in a C$32.5-billion resolution with the tobacco industry to recover the healthcare costs associated with smoking • Optiva Inc. before the Ontario Securities Commission in successfully resisting ESW Capital’s application for relief from the mandatory minimum tender requirement applicable to take-over bids under National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. • The Unitholders of the Bridging Funds in a successful appeal to the Court of Appeal for Ontario, arising out of a priority dispute. • Canadian counsel to Conagra Brands, Inc. in its $10.9-billion acquisition of Pinnacle Foods Inc. • Former auditors of Buckingham Securities, in the Superior Court of Justice and in the Ontario Court of Appeal in the successful defence of a class action, and in securing the dismissal of a negligence claim against the defendant accounting firm. • Her Majesty the Queen in Right of British Columbia, in health-care cost recovery litigation from the tobacco industry (HMTQ v. PMI). • SFC Litigation Trust, in a successful 15 week trial against the former CEO of Sino-Forest Corporation, Allen Chan, resulting in a judgment in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty of US$2.6 billion. • The Board of Directors of Sears Canada, in Sears' CCAA proceedings, one of the largest court-supervised liquidations in Canadian history. • South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario, as intervenor in an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in Attorney General of Canada on behalf the Republic of India v. Surjit Singh Badesha, et al. • The Government of Bermuda, as Chief Legal Advisor, in the redevelopment and 30 year operation of Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport. • Nortel Networks, representing bondholders with claims in excess of U.S. $4 billion in ongoing proceedings pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. • Sino-Forest Corporation, in its application under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, in which a plan of arrangement was approved by creditors and by the court within nine months after filing. • Sino-Forest Corporation, in defence of class actions, including claims asserted under Part XXIII.1 of the Ontario Securities Act. • Glencore International, in its acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Viterra for approximately $6.1 billion by way of a plan of arrangement and the sale of certain assets of Viterra to each of Agrium and Richardson International for aggregate proceeds of approximately $2.6 billion. • South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario, as intervener in an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in Commission Des Droits De La Personne et Des Droits De La Jeunesse v. Bombardier. • Access Cash General Partnership and its investors, as tax representation, in the sale of 100 per cent of the assets of EZEE ATM LP by Newport Partners Income Fund. • The Special Committee of Coventree Inc., in an investigation by the Ontario Securities Commission into the Canadian asset-backed commercial paper market - Re Coventree Inc., 2011LNONOSC 757 and Re Coventree Inc., 2011 LNONOSC 988. • Home Depot of Canada Inc., in its successful GST appeal before the Tax Court of Canada. 2008-1491(GST)G • Special counsel to Steeplejack Industrial Group Inc., in the $122-million acquisition by plan of arrangement by The Brock Group. • Research In Motion Limited, in the successful resolution of shareholder litigation connected to RIM's review of historical option practices.