Kelsey J. Meyer

Partner  •  Co-Head of Restructuring & Insolvency Practice

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Overview

Kelsey Meyer is a Partner in Bennett Jones LLP's Litigation Department, and is the Co-Head of the firm's Restructuring and Insolvency practice group.  Kelsey specializes in complex commercial disputes, with a focus on bankruptcy, insolvency, and restructuring matters. She has been elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta for a three-year term commencing February 29, 2024.

Kelsey has been appointed as a member of the Insolvency Institute of Canada, and is actively engaged in professional associations such as the Turnaround Management Association and the International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation. She has over 20 years’ experience representing clients on highly complex and intricate commercial litigation matters, including advancing novel developments in the law before all levels of Canadian courts. She shines in fast-paced and highly complex commercial litigation court applications, where she is known for her practical and results-driven approach. She has a proven track record of hard work and dedication to her clients, colleagues and community.  She has acted as a principal and as a formal mentor to 19 articling students and associates. She regularly writes and presents on developments in commercial litigation and insolvency law.  

Kelsey has been recognized in Chambers Canada, Benchmark Litigation, The Legal 500 Canada, Lexpert, and was recognized as one of the Top 10 Influential Restructuring / Insolvency Lawyers in Canada in 2023.

Kelsey volunteers her time with the Alberta Lawyers' Assistance Society, the Ukrainian Canadian Bar Association, her son’s school, and the Law Society of Alberta. She knows how to solve highly complex legal issues and when to be decisive. Lawyers and clients appreciate Kelsey as a dedicated, hard-working and collegial team member. She delivers highly efficient and practical results.

Client Work

 

  • PricewaterhouseCoopers, as receiver, in its sale of FGC Health LP et al's homecare business assets in British Columbia and Manitoba pursuant to a sales process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)
  • Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc. in its court-approved liquidation proceedings.
  • Successfully represented the court-appointed receiver of Petrowest Corporation and related entities before the British Columbia Supreme Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada on novel points of law regarding the intersection of insolvency law with arbitration law.
  • Represented the court-appointed receiver of SanLing Energy Ltd., including in obtaining an ex parte Mareva Injunction / Attachment Order in relation to funds transferred out of the company on the eve of its insolvency and judgment for same; obtained Court approval of over 60 sale transactions.
  • Counsel for a major Canadian airline in litigation in relation to the seizure of aircraft.
  • Represented the court-appointed receiver of Trident Exploration Ltd. and related companies throughout the receivership, including on a contested court application considering post-Redwater priorities of abandonment and reclamation obligations, municipal property taxes, and secured creditors.
  • Successfully set aside ex parte Mareva Injunction and Attachment Order freezing assets of a client based on unproven allegations of fraud and fraudulent misrepresentation.
  • Counsel for FTI Consulting Canada Inc., the court-appointed Monitor of Dominion Diamond Mines LLC, including in relation to the debtors' sale and investment solicitation process, approval and vesting orders and a reverse vesting order.
  • Canadian counsel for BJ Services Holdings Canada, ULC in relation to its and its U.S. affiliates' Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. and Canadian recognition proceedings in relation to the same pursuant to Part IV of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
  • Counsel for syndicate of secured creditors in the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings of ENTREC Corporation and related entities.
  • Counsel for Korite International Inc. in its Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings, completed within 6 months resulting in court approval of a sale of the business as a going concern.
  • Counsel for Elcano Exploration Inc. in its Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act Proceedings, including court approval of a transaction and of a plan of compromise and arrangement within 5 months.
  • Canadian insolvency counsel for Ultra Petroleum Corporation in relation to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. and Canadian recognition proceedings in Yukon Territory in relation to the same pursuant to Part IV of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
  • Counsel for a secured creditor with respect to its seizure of helicopters in the context of the receivership of OpsMobil Inc. and related entities, including at court proceedings involving novel points of law (internationally) in relation to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment regarding international priorities in relation to aircraft.
  • Counsel for Argent Energy Trust and related entities in their Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings and cross-border proceedings pursuant to Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, including successfully representing client through heavily-contested sale and investment solicitation process and court application for approval of sale.
  • Counsel for beneficial owners of aircraft in relation to their seizure of aircraft and litigation in relation to the same.
  • Co-counsel for Wood Group Mustang (Canada) Inc. in defence of an $85 million claim relating to the failure of an underground emulsion pipeline.

Recognitions & Awards

Chambers Canada

Ranked, Restructuring and Insolvency

Chambers Global

Band 6, Restructuring/Insolvency 

Benchmark Litigation: Canada

Recognized as a Future Star

The Legal 500 Canada

Leading Lawyer, Restructuring & Insolvency
Next Generation Lawyer, Dispute resolution: Alberta

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

Consistently Recommended, Insolvency & Financial Restructuring
Repeatedly Recommended, Litigation - Corporate Commercial

Lexpert Guide to the Leading U.S./Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada

Recognized as a Litigation Lawyer to Watch

Education & Bar Admissions

Education

  • University of Lethbridge, BASc, 1999
  • University of Victoria, LLB, 2002

Bar Admissions

  • Alberta, 2003