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Chris Besant
Partner at Gardiner Roberts LLP
Professional Background
Chris Besant is a distinguished legal professional who serves as the co-lead of the Financial Services Group at Gardiner Roberts LLP. With a strong national and international presence in the legal field, Chris has built an impressive career specializing in lending and corporate finance, private mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and corporate restructuring. His expertise allows him to advise large institutional, corporate, and mid-market clients on both domestic and cross-border transactions across a diverse array of industries. He is proud to be admitted to practice in both Ontario and New York, reflecting his commitment to providing high-quality legal services in multiple jurisdictions.
Before joining Gardiner Roberts, Chris honed his skills at notable global firms, including his role as a partner in the Toronto and New York offices of Baker & McKenzie LLP. There he led the Canadian Finance and Restructuring practice, contributing significantly to the firm's Global Banking and Automotive groups as well as the North America Corporate practice. Prior to this, he was a partner in the Financial Services Group at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, strengthening his reputation in the legal community. His early career saw him working at King & Wood Mallesons, a leading Australian law firm, where he was also honored to be cross-appointed to an Australian Law Faculty as a lecturer on corporate and finance topics.
Education and Achievements
Chris has an impressive academic background in law, having earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Toronto, one of Canada's leading law schools. He continued to advance his legal knowledge by pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at the prestigious University of Cambridge. This solid educational foundation has served him well throughout his career, enabling him to tackle complex legal issues and provide insightful counsel to his clients.
His leadership and contributions to the legal community extend beyond his practice. Chris has served as Co-Chair of the restructuring sections of both the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Canadian Bar Association. His involvement doesn't stop there; he has also held the position of Vice Chairman of the IBA’s North American Forum and served on the Turnaround Management Association’s (TMA) International Committee. In addition, Chris is an active member of the IBA delegation to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law's Working Group V (UNCITRAL WG-V), focusing on international insolvency and restructuring reform.
Achievements
With a passion for sharing knowledge, Chris has written and spoken extensively on various finance topics, both domestically and internationally. He is a co-founder of the IBA’s quarterly publication, Insolvency & Restructuring International, a vital resource for legal professionals worldwide. As the Canadian author for the Colliers Guide to International Bankruptcy, he has played a crucial role in shaping the understanding of bankruptcy law in Canada and beyond.
In addition to his writing endeavors, Chris serves on the Finance and Lending Advisory Board of Practical Law Canada, where he contributes to the development of practical legal resources for practitioners. He has also made appearances in various media outlets discussing finance-related themes, showcasing his expertise and thought leadership in the industry.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, Chris Besant has received accolades from prestigious organizations, including Legal 500, Euromoney’s Expert Guide to the World's Leading Banking Finance and Transactional Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal International’s guide to leading insolvency lawyers. These honors underscore his commitment to excellence and his reputation as a leading expert in his areas of practice.
