J.J. Burnell



Contact Information
Direct Line: (204) 957-4663
Direct Fax: (204) 957-4285
E-Mail: jjbb@aikins.com

Experience

Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP
Partner, 2010 - present. Associate, 1996 - 2010. Practises in the area of corporate recovery and insolvency law including advice regarding corporate recovery strategies, debt restructuring, arrangements, proposals, loans, loan recovery and enforcement, shareholder, director and employee issues, lender liability, bankruptcy and receivership generally. Advises corporations, banks, secondary lenders, venture capital firms, shareholders, creditors and debtors. In the area of pension and benefits law, advises on and assists in a wide variety of matters involving pension and benefit plans, including winding-up or amendment of plans, plan creation and implementation, plan mergers, trust agreements and agreements for administrative services, surplus and distribution issues.

Education

  • University of Manitoba, LL.B., 1995
  • University of Manitoba, B.Sc., 1992

Call to the Bar

  • Manitoba, 1996

Presentations

  • Commercial Insolvency BIA vs CCAA, CAIRP, May 2009
  • Duty to Accommodate, CBPI, February 2008
  • Changing or Terminating Benefits, CBA, November 2008
  • Pensions 101 in Insolvencies, MBA, November 2003

Recent Representative Engagements

    Prominent counsel roles in recent major Manitoba and extra-Provincial insolvencies, including:
Transportation
  • Restructuring counsel to New Flyer Industries Limited, North America's largest transit bus manufacturer
  • Premier Peterbilt (BIA proposal - counsel to debtor)
  • Winnipeg Motor Express Group (CCAA - counsel to debtor group)
    Manufacturing
  • Braman Furniture International Ltd. (counsel to lender/receiver)
  • DeFehr Furniture Group (CCAA - counsel to debtor group)
  • Gemini Fashions of Canada Inc. (counsel to lender)
  • Isobord Enterprises Inc. (counsel to court-appointed receiver)
  • Shamray Group of Companies (counsel to debtor interests)
  • The Tanbridge Group (counsel to lender/receiver)
  • Wilson Auto Electric Group (CCAA - counsel to debtor group)
    Agricultural
  • Centec Genetics Inc. (counsel to lender)
  • Nutri-Health Group (counsel to lender)
  • Pembina Pork Ltd. (counsel to lender)
  • Ridley (counsel to lender)
  • Smith Spur Farms Inc. (counsel to lender)
  • Turtle Mountain (counsel to lender)
    Retail / Restaurants
  • Denny's franchisee (counsel to trustee)
  • Intertan Group (counsel to supplier)
  • Premier Pizza Inc. (counsel to lender)
  • Warehouse One Ltd. (counsel to receiver/trustee)
    Other
  • Bissett Gold Mine (counsel to lender)
  • Minds Eye Entertainment Ltd. (counsel to investor/lender)
  • PCM International Inc. (counsel to major creditor)
    Counsel to various corporate debtors in private restructuring activities.
    Pension
  • Canadian Wheat Board (counsel to plan sponsor)
  • City of Winnipeg Pension Plan (counsel to retirees)
  • Dominion Bridge Inc. (counsel to trustee in bankruptcy)
  • Saan (counsel to plan trustees)

    Presentations

    • Commercial Insolvency BIA vs CCAA, CAIRP, May 2009
    • Duty to Accommodate, CBPI, February 2008
    • Changing or Terminating Benefits, CBA, November 2008
    • Pensions 101 in Insolvencies, MBA, November 2003

    Professional Associations

    • The Law Society of Manitoba
    • Manitoba Bar Association, Council Member, 2005 - 2009
    • Canadian Bar Association
    • Member Canadian Pension Benefits Institute
    • Committee, Model Form Order

    Miscellaneous Affiliations

    • Board Member and Child Health Advisory Committee Member, The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba
    • Board Member and Finance Committee Member, St. John’s-Ravenscourt School