Sandra is a respected leader in insolvency and restructuring law in Québec, across Canada and internationally. She advises Canadian and global companies, financial institutions, equity participants and court officers on reorganizations, recapitalizations, restructurings and strategic acquisitions.
With over 35 years of experience, she is consistently lauded for her creative and practical approach to problem solving and finding solutions to complex business and legal problems. As Managing Partner of the firm’s Montréal office from 2017 to June 2025 and in other leadership roles, Sandra has played a significant role in its growth and development over the years.
A firm believer in the importance of developing diversity within the legal profession and fostering an inclusive work environment, Sandra has participated in several projects and committees created for this purpose with the Barreau du Québec. Sandra is also very involved in community work, serving as a Past President of the Board of the Turnaround Management Association – Montréal Chapter, a member of the board of directors of the Insolvency Institute of Canada and the Montréal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and an active member of other renowned organizations within her areas of expertise.
Representative Work
- FTI Consulting Canada Inc.
FTI Consulting Inc., in its capacity as CCAA Monitor of Pelican International Inc. and Confluence Outdoor Inc.
- Stokes Inc.
Stokes Inc. in its restructuring proceeding and successful sale under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- ELNA Medical Group Inc.
ELNA Medical Group Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in its court-approved Sale and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Ernst & Young Inc.
Ernst & Young as court-appointed monitor to IntelGenx and its sale to Atai
- Rio Tinto and Evolys Québec Inc.
Joint venture between Rio Tinto and Aymium
- The Just for Laughs Group
The Just for Laughs Group and its affiliates in their restructuring proceedings and successful sale under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Xebec Adsorption Group
The Xebec Group in its cross-border restructuring and eleven plans of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young as court-appointed Monitor of the Zenabis group and its sale to SNDL
- TELUS Health Solutions Inc.
TELUS Health Solutions Inc. in connection with the restructuring of ChronoMétriq Inc. and Health Myself Innovations Inc.
- A potential bidder
A potential bidder in Nemaska Lithium’s CCAA restructuring
- Frank and Oak
Modasuite Inc., doing business as Frank and Oak completes sale transaction
- TPG
TPG in its submission of a stalking horse bid for Cirque du Soleil’s assets in partnership with Fosun, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Investissement Québec
- Deloitte Restructuring Inc.
Deloitte Restructuring Inc. in the CCAA Proceedings of Stornoway Diamond Corporation and affiliated entities (in 2013 and 2023)
- Corbeil Électrique Inc.
Corbeil Électrique Inc., in connection with the sale of substantially all of its business and assets to AM-CAM Électroménagers Inc.
- Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd.
Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd., lenders to Stelco Inc., in its CCAA proceedings
- Comark Inc.
Comark Inc., one of Canada's leading specialty apparel retailers, in its CCAA proceedings
- Homburg Invest, Inc.
Homburg Invest, Inc. in connection with its $3 billion debt restructuring and recapitalization under the CCAA
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- Ernst & Young as court-appointed Monitor of IntelGenx Corp. and IntelGenx Technologies Corp.
- PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. in its capacity as trustee in bankruptcy and receiver of the assets of Résidences Floralie in the sale of their assets under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act
- The Bank of Montréal, in its capacity as agent for the lending syndicate of senior lenders of Goli Nutrition Inc. and its affiliate in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and Chapter 15 proceedings under the US Bankruptcy Code
- Groupe Airmédic Inc. and its affiliates in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Xebec Adsorption Inc. and its US and Canadian affiliates in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and Chapter 15 proceedings under the US Bankruptcy Code
- TELUS Health Solutions Inc., in connection with the restructuring of ChronoMétriq Inc. and Health Myself Innovations Inc.
- Orionis inc., in its capacity as a senior lender, in the context of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings of Ontario Graphite Ltd
- Laurentian Bank, in its capacity as a senior secured lender, in the context of the receivership proceedings of Media5 Corporation
- TPG, in the context of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings of Cirque du Soleil
- Stokes Inc., in connection with its CCAA restructuring
- Reitmans (Canada) Limited, acting for Ernst & Young Inc., in its capacity as CCAA court-appointed Monitor
- Modasuite Inc., doing business as Frank and Oak, in the context of its restructuring proceedings and the sale of its business
- Le Château Inc., acting for PricewaterhouseCooper Inc., in its capacity as CCAA court-appointed Monitor
- Bouclair, acting for Deloitte Restructuring Inc., in its capacity as proposal trustee
- Stornoway Diamond Corporation and affiliated entities, acting for Deloitte Restructuring Inc. in its capacity as CCAA court-appointed Monitor
- Bombay et Bowring, acting for Richter Advisory Group Inc. in its capacity as proposal trustee
- Crabtree and Evelyn (Canada) in its proposal proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)
- BCBG in its proposal proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)
- Deloitte Restructuring Inc., in its capacity as court-appointed monitor in the CCAA proceedings of Devonshire Trust
- Sears Canada Inc. et al, in its CCAA proceedings
- Homburg Invest Inc., in connection with its $3 billion debt restructuring and recapitalization under the CCAA
- MEXX Canada Company, acting for Richter Groupe Conseil Inc. in its capacity as trustee to the proposal proceedings of Mexx
- Target Canada Co., in connection with its restructuring under the CCAA
- Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co., acting for Irving Oil, in connection with MM&A’s restructuring under the CCAA
- Laura Shoppes Canada, acting for Salus, in its capacity as senior lender, in connection with Laura Shoppes Canada’s restructuring proceedings
- Comark Inc. (the owner/operator of Ricki’s, Bootlegger and cleo), in its restructuring under the CCAA including the sale of its business and assets to Pacific West Commercial Corporation
- Danier Leather Inc., representing Gordon Brothers and Hilco in their capacity as liquidator
- Grafton-Fraser Inc., representing Gordon Brothers and Hilco, in their capacity as liquidators, in GFI’s restructuring proceedings
- PJ’s Pets, acting for Gordon Brothers Group in its capacity as liquidator
- Mabe Canada Inc, acting for Richter Groupe Conseil Inc. in its capacity as bankruptcy trustee
- The Elna Medical Group and its affiliates in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
FTI Consulting Inc., in its capacity as CCAA Monitor of Pelican International Inc. and Confluence Outdoor Inc.
Stokes Inc. in its restructuring proceeding and successful sale under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
ELNA Medical Group Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in its court-approved Sale and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
Ernst & Young as court-appointed monitor to IntelGenx and its sale to Atai
Joint venture between Rio Tinto and Aymium
- The Just for Laughs Group
The Just for Laughs Group and its affiliates in their restructuring proceedings and successful sale under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Xebec Adsorption Group
The Xebec Group in its cross-border restructuring and eleven plans of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young as court-appointed Monitor of the Zenabis group and its sale to SNDL
- TELUS Health Solutions Inc.
TELUS Health Solutions Inc. in connection with the restructuring of ChronoMétriq Inc. and Health Myself Innovations Inc.
- A potential bidder
A potential bidder in Nemaska Lithium’s CCAA restructuring
- Frank and Oak
Modasuite Inc., doing business as Frank and Oak completes sale transaction
- TPG
TPG in its submission of a stalking horse bid for Cirque du Soleil’s assets in partnership with Fosun, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Investissement Québec
- Deloitte Restructuring Inc.
Deloitte Restructuring Inc. in the CCAA Proceedings of Stornoway Diamond Corporation and affiliated entities (in 2013 and 2023)
- Corbeil Électrique Inc.
Corbeil Électrique Inc., in connection with the sale of substantially all of its business and assets to AM-CAM Électroménagers Inc.
- Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd.
Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd., lenders to Stelco Inc., in its CCAA proceedings
- Comark Inc.
Comark Inc., one of Canada's leading specialty apparel retailers, in its CCAA proceedings
- Homburg Invest, Inc.
Homburg Invest, Inc. in connection with its $3 billion debt restructuring and recapitalization under the CCAA
-
- Ernst & Young as court-appointed Monitor of IntelGenx Corp. and IntelGenx Technologies Corp.
- PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. in its capacity as trustee in bankruptcy and receiver of the assets of Résidences Floralie in the sale of their assets under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act
- The Bank of Montréal, in its capacity as agent for the lending syndicate of senior lenders of Goli Nutrition Inc. and its affiliate in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and Chapter 15 proceedings under the US Bankruptcy Code
- Groupe Airmédic Inc. and its affiliates in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
- Xebec Adsorption Inc. and its US and Canadian affiliates in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and Chapter 15 proceedings under the US Bankruptcy Code
- TELUS Health Solutions Inc., in connection with the restructuring of ChronoMétriq Inc. and Health Myself Innovations Inc.
- Orionis inc., in its capacity as a senior lender, in the context of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings of Ontario Graphite Ltd
- Laurentian Bank, in its capacity as a senior secured lender, in the context of the receivership proceedings of Media5 Corporation
- TPG, in the context of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings of Cirque du Soleil
- Stokes Inc., in connection with its CCAA restructuring
- Reitmans (Canada) Limited, acting for Ernst & Young Inc., in its capacity as CCAA court-appointed Monitor
- Modasuite Inc., doing business as Frank and Oak, in the context of its restructuring proceedings and the sale of its business
- Le Château Inc., acting for PricewaterhouseCooper Inc., in its capacity as CCAA court-appointed Monitor
- Bouclair, acting for Deloitte Restructuring Inc., in its capacity as proposal trustee
- Stornoway Diamond Corporation and affiliated entities, acting for Deloitte Restructuring Inc. in its capacity as CCAA court-appointed Monitor
- Bombay et Bowring, acting for Richter Advisory Group Inc. in its capacity as proposal trustee
- Crabtree and Evelyn (Canada) in its proposal proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)
- BCBG in its proposal proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)
- Deloitte Restructuring Inc., in its capacity as court-appointed monitor in the CCAA proceedings of Devonshire Trust
- Sears Canada Inc. et al, in its CCAA proceedings
- Homburg Invest Inc., in connection with its $3 billion debt restructuring and recapitalization under the CCAA
- MEXX Canada Company, acting for Richter Groupe Conseil Inc. in its capacity as trustee to the proposal proceedings of Mexx
- Target Canada Co., in connection with its restructuring under the CCAA
- Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co., acting for Irving Oil, in connection with MM&A’s restructuring under the CCAA
- Laura Shoppes Canada, acting for Salus, in its capacity as senior lender, in connection with Laura Shoppes Canada’s restructuring proceedings
- Comark Inc. (the owner/operator of Ricki’s, Bootlegger and cleo), in its restructuring under the CCAA including the sale of its business and assets to Pacific West Commercial Corporation
- Danier Leather Inc., representing Gordon Brothers and Hilco in their capacity as liquidator
- Grafton-Fraser Inc., representing Gordon Brothers and Hilco, in their capacity as liquidators, in GFI’s restructuring proceedings
- PJ’s Pets, acting for Gordon Brothers Group in its capacity as liquidator
- Mabe Canada Inc, acting for Richter Groupe Conseil Inc. in its capacity as bankruptcy trustee
- The Elna Medical Group and its affiliates in their restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
Latest Insights
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Osler Update September 15, 2023
Employees affected: Superior Court of Québec clarifies the status of employee claims in CCAA proceedings
Most restructuring proceedings include downsizing and terminations that invite claims from affected employees. A recent judgment from the Superior...
Read more
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Blog November 15, 2022
No special treatment: Securities class action stayed by CCAA Court
No special treatment: CCAA Court extends stay of proceedings despite an attempt by the applicants in a securities class action to limit its...
Read more -
Osler Update December 14, 2021
Supreme Court of Canada expands discretion of the Courts to allow pre-post compensation in ‘rare’ cases
Osler lawyers analyze a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision which provides courts with an additional tool to ensure fairness in the insolvency...
Read more -
Osler Update April 22, 2021
Québec Court of Appeal clarifies rules on guarantors’ liability for legal fees
The Québec Court of Appeal recently rendered a judgment authorizing a lender to recover its reasonable legal fees from a guarantor (or surety),...
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: recognized in Restructuring/Insolvency
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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Business Lawyers: recognized in Restructuring/Insolvency
- “…[Sandra] is knowledgeable, smart and pleasant to work with. She is hands-on and very practical on matters and knows how to work with various stakeholders with differing interests. She is extremely adept at providing strategic advice on how to get us to our stated goal.”
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: recognized in Insolvency & Financial Restructuring – Insolvency Litigation; Banking & Financial Institutions; Québec’s best insolvency and financial restructuring lawyers in 2021
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Lexpert’s Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers: A Guide to Doing Business in Canada: recognized in Insolvency & Financial Restructuring
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Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized in Banking and Finance Law; Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
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IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: recognized in Restructuring and Insolvency (Highly Regarded); classified in the list “Women Leaders” in 2021 and in 2022
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Legal 500: recognized as a Leading Individual in Restructuring and Insolvency
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Who’s Who Legal: Canada and International – Restructuring & Insolvency
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Benchmark Litigation Canada: recognized in Insolvency; recognized as a Local Star
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Lawdragon: recognized in the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers
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Expert guides: The Legal Media Group Guides to the World’s Leading Lawyers: Restructuring & Insolvency; Association of Québec Women in Finance: Leadership award; Federation CJA: Women of Power; Lexology: Client Choice Award of Lexology: Restructuring & Insolvency (Québec)
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International Law Office: Client Choice Award in Insolvency and Restructuring (2021)
Media Mentions
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Osler News October 1, 2025
Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Restructuring and Insolvency 2025
Osler is proud to announce that 23 of our lawyers are recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Restructuring and Insolvency 2025. This prestigious...
Read more -
Osler News December 5, 2024
Osler’s Montréal office is moving and expanding!
We are delighted to announce that Osler’s Montréal office is expanding. This exciting move is a testament to the incredible growth of our firm as...
Read more -
Media Mentions May 16, 2024
A ‘great year’ for firms, despite the slowdown – Les Affaires
Montréal-based newspaper Les Affaires recently released its rankings for the 2024 “Les grands du droit” — or “Legal Leaders” — and the...
Read more -
Media Mentions May 8, 2024
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt bets on face-to-face – Les Affaires
In a recent interview with Montréal-based newspaper Les Affaires, Sandra Abitan, Osler’s Montréal Managing Partner, discusses the plans underway...
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Published Work
- Co-author of the chapter on directors’ liability for LexisNexis publication JurisClasseur, April 2010 to present
Credentials
Education
- Université de Montréal, LL.B.
Languages
- French
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Federation CJA, member of the Board of Directors
- Montréal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of Directors
- The Insolvency Institute of Canada, member of the Board of Directors
- Canadian Bar Association, Insolvency Section
- Former member of the Comité de liaison du Barreau du Québec, Superior Court, Commercial Division
- Canadian Insolvency Foundation
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member of the International Committee
- Turnaround Management Association, former President of the Board of Montréal
- International Association of Insolvency Practitioners (INSOL International)
