We Fight for Companies with Strategic Litigation.
Like it’s Personal.
We’ve Seen It All - Serious Business Calls for Serious Lawyers
Niche for a reason - At O’Keefe & Sullivan, we’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We focus where it matters most to us and the pressure is highest for you. When your business is in crisis, conflict, or on the cusp of change, our firm gets straight to the heart of the problem and fixes it. We're built for moments that matter: When the bank is at the door, a deal is on the line, or litigation is inevitable.
Insolvency & Restructuring
When the wheels are coming off, we don’t panic. We plan.
Insolvency and Restructuring is a core practice area for O’Keefe & Sullivan and the main focus for several of our lawyers and Partners. Our firm and its lawyers are well known in the Canadian insolvency community, with our partners and counsel consistently ranked among the leading ones in the country for Insolvency and Restructuring, Insolvency Litigation, and Financial Services.
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We are proud to have significant insolvency and restructuring experience across all segments of the Atlantic Canadian business community - From business owners looking to manage or negotiate debt issues, to Trustees, Receivers or other insolvency professionals seeking to retain independent counsel. Although O’Keefe & Sullivan now primarily represents companies, many of our lawyers previously acted for major Canadian financial institutions and bring a strong track record of successfully executing lender-driven mandates.
These mandates included all forms of security enforcement, as well as representing these creditors in legal proceedings under both the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act. Notwithstanding, our firm’s company side focus, we still accept selected mandates from financial institutions and banks on a case by case basis.
We are proud to be a voice for companies struggling with debt and are unique in that we bring our decades of experience working for financial institutions to work for our corporate clients.
With our firm, our clients have the same strength at the negotiating table as the financial institutions they are dealing with.
We have a clear understanding that our clients are focused on survival – And, we do it better than anyone.
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Banking & Finance
Detail Oriented. Results Driven.
For two decades our lawyers have been the go-to for clients looking to buy, sell or finance their business. When the numbers are big – and the stakes are bigger – we deliver for you with precision, strategy and the ability to speak finance.
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Our repeat clients trust the quality and timeliness of our work, and the practical and common-sense approach we take on every commercial finance mandate. We are sure to provide the same level of attention to detail to all of our files, no matter the size, complexity or transaction value.
As with many of our other practice areas, we have been consistently ranked among the countries leading lawyers in banking and financial services. We have been fortunate to count nearly every major Canadian chartered bank as a client over the years and we continue to actively represent a number of Canadian and international banks on small business loans, major business loans, distressed lending, and structural refinancing.
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Business Law
Where Economic Growth & Integrity Align.
Business law is one of our key practice areas, and our lawyers are proud to have been involved in some of the largest transactions in Atlantic Canada over the past forty years. At our firm, it’s not about the “big files”, in fact, we pride ourselves on providing expert advice and counsel to small and medium sized businesses, from contractors to comic bookstores. We strive to bring big law firm expertise to the small business community in a way that makes sense for our client’s budget and business goals.
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Our approach, regardless of the size of our client, is to leverage our industry experience and create custom fit solutions that work. Our experience and knowledge allow us to react quickly and provide practical advice to our clients when they need it most. We try to think beyond the boilerplates and truly understand not only our clients’ current needs, but how those needs will evolve as their businesses grow or transition.
We offer a complete range of business law services, including buying and selling businesses, reviewing commercial agreements, raising private capital, bank financing, joint ventures and partnerships, and corporate compliance.
Under the lead of partner Colin Sullivan, we go deeper than simple paperwork. Our team will look at your tax picture, industry position, and exit strategy to form a holistic plan to meet your long term goals.
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Business & Commercial Disputes
Strategic Counsel. Lasting Partnerships.
No matter how hard you try to avoid them, business disputes will happen from time to time. When they do, you don’t need a firm that plays nice. You need a firm that wins.
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We bring our extensive experience in commercial transactional work and deep understanding of our clients’ industries and businesses to bear in every case we prosecute or defend on our client’s behalf.
Our approach is based on client collaboration and hard work. We provide intuitive leadership when times are tough and offer one-on-one guidance to our clients on complicated legal issues.
We are routinely called upon on a variety of business dispute matters, including breach of contract claims, injunction matters, shareholders disputes, banking and finance matters, and crisis management. Over the years, we have dealt with multi-jurisdictional litigation and are familiar with all forms of e-discovery and litigation-related electronic document management.
Our team is equipped with courtroom experience and commercial instincts – things that require experience and strategy. We bring our strategic perspective to every case we manage, whether our client is the one being challenged or the one making the move.Darren O’Keefe leads this practice with one goal: Results. No drawn-out battles - Just clear strategy and strong execution.
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Essber Essber | Associate
Real Estate & Construction
Real Property. Real Risk. Real Experience.
For over fifteen years, we have served as trusted advisors across a wide range of real estate transactions - Residential and Commercial. Our work spans purchases, sales, and refinancing, as well as land assembly, title rectification, and development projects. We handle everything from negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements (including condominium documents), to conveyancing, financing, leasing, and resolving title issues or boundary disputes.
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Real Estate Services
For over fifteen years, we have served as trusted advisors across a wide range of real estate transactions - Residential and Commercial. Our work spans purchases, sales, and refinancing, as well as land assembly, title rectification, and development projects. We handle everything from negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements (including condominium documents), to conveyancing, financing, leasing, and resolving title issues or boundary disputes. Clients also rely on us for practical guidance throughout the entire property ownership process.
Real Estate Development
Our lawyers have significant experience in real estate development, having worked for a range of real estate clients over the years, from the “one and done” custom residential development to the multi-year residential subdivision client. We have seen it all. Our firm is actively involved with the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian
Home Builders Association (CHBA), and the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association (NLCA). In addition to our long-standing membership with these organizations, we have also written numerous articles and presented at various seminars for these organizations, as well as other organizations directly involved in the industry such as the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Realtors (NLAR).
Due to our longstanding involvement in the industry, we possess an intimate knowledge of the legal issues facing land developers, contractors and the service professionals who support them.
We offer a host of services to our clients, including advising on land assembly and title issues, negotiating, and preparing agreements of purchase; sale, establishing condominium corporations, conveyancing, advice on development agreements, municipal service agreements, construction contracts and financing agreements.
If required, we also offer advice on land use by-laws, municipal planning strategies, and related administrative and litigation support in situations where developers find themselves in a dispute with their governing provincial or municipal authority.
Construction Disputes
Over the years we have acted as trusted advisors to developers, contractors, engineers, architects, and project managers on all manner of construction disputes and construction related litigation. We have significant experience with mechanics liens matters, expropriations, contract disputes, building defect issues, and crisis management.
We are known for our strong courtroom presence and our ability to navigate complex construction issues, including expert witness testimony. Our experience spans everything from residential building disputes to high-stakes, multi-million-dollar construction projects.
For our commercial and industrial developer clients, we regularly collaborate with in-house legal teams and value the opportunity to work alongside them on a wide range of construction issues and disputes.
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Energy & Natural Resources
High-Stakes Industries Need High-Trust Counsel.
Over the past fifteen years, we have provided strategic advice to clients in the energy and natural resources industry, including extensive experience in project management and commercial negotiations. Our lawyers have been recognized by Lexpert® Magazine as leaders in Energy Law.
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In addition to general project strategy and litigation management advice, we provide our energy and natural resources clients with advice on mergers, joint ventures and takeover bids, development agreements, operating agreements, benefit plans and royalty agreements (including government negotiations), procurement and construction issues, regulatory, environmental and land rights issues.
We are also proud to offer significant experience with First Nations and Indigenous Partnerships, having acted as counsel to one of the largest First Nations bands in the country for more than a decade. During this time, we have acted as lead counsel on First Nations business matters on several high-profile joint ventures with energy firms both from the First Nations and from the non-First Nations side.
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Indigenous Law
Building Strong Agreements. Honouring Stronger Traditions.
Over the past decade, we have served as lead commercial counsel to one of Canada’s largest Indigenous groups, gaining deep experience in Indigenous business law. We work with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to build business relationships that support long-term, sustainable Indigenous economic development. We understand the unique needs of Indigenous businesses and focus on delivering practical, culturally informed solutions.
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Our work centers on joint ventures, business structures, and partnerships. We frequently act as negotiators and mediators, ensuring that transactions are approached with the right cultural and contextual lens. Our experience includes joint venture agreements, labour agreements, limited partnerships, incorporations, Indigenous and First Nations business registries, procurement, financing, and negotiations involving Provincial, Federal, Territorial, and First Nations governance.
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Fisheries & Marine Law
Built For High Stakes & Ready For The Hard Calls.
At O’Keefe & Sullivan, we bring hands-on experience and deep knowledge of marine law to help clients navigate complex decisions in the fishing and marine industry. We offer strategic advice on business structures, tax considerations, and compliance with DFO regulations.
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Our work includes guiding clients through acquisitions and sales involving fishing vessels and related assets, export and marketing strategies, licensing issues, and resolving disputes involving licenses, agreements, or marine assets.
Clients regularly turn to us for support with business reorganizations and sales, including vessel and license transfers. We also have substantial experience in Indigenous partnerships within the fishing sector and help clients adapt to the evolving landscape of fisheries license ownership and management.
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Business Succession, Trust & Estate Planning
Business Agreements That Respect Bigger Stories.
At O’Keefe & Sullivan, we provide thoughtful, personalized guidance to help clients navigate the financial and tax considerations tied to their long-term goals. We believe good tax advice must be tailored as an essential part of a larger financial picture. This approach allows you to focus on growing your enterprise with the confidence that both your corporate and personal tax matters are handled by professionals aligned with your objectives.
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Trust and Estate Planning
We offer peace-of-mind services including wills, powers of attorney, advanced health care directives, trusts, life insurance planning, probate, and estate administration. Our team is consistent, patient, and focused on delivering clarity through every step of the process.
Business Succession Planning
We have guided countless clients through successful business transitions. Our succession planning integrates strategic tax advice, allowing you to focus on growth while we manage the complexities of ownership transition.
Whether you're preparing a will, selling a business, or establishing a family trust, we offer experienced support to ensure your succession plan reflects both your goals and values. Clients trust us to help protect what they’ve built and to create a smooth path forward - for them and the next generation.
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