Leah Tolton

Education

University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Human Ecology, 1986 University of Alberta, LLB, 1993

Bar Admissions

Alberta, 1994

Leah Tolton KC, FEA

Partner

T: 780.917.4272 / E: toltonl@bennettjones.com

Edmonton


Leah Tolton has been a trusted advisor to a broad range of family-owned businesses, corporate clients, lending clients and real estate clients for nearly 30 years.


Leah practices corporate law with a particular focus on business agreements and commercial contracts, business structures and tax planning, corporate and syndicated lending, equipment leasing and finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and real estate joint ventures, partnerships and other co-ownerships. Her practice covers a broad range of clients in the oilfield services, heavy construction, waste management, hospitality and real estate industries.

Leah's practice has an emphasis on providing legal services to ultra high net worth families and their companies, family-owned businesses and their owners and boards of directors in matters related to corporate governance and succession planning, corporate structuring and sophisticated corporate reorganizations. She has extensive experience with the strategic planning, risk management, mergers, acquisitions and sale transactions of family-owned businesses.

Leah is routinely involved in the negotiation and drafting of commercial agreements relating to the establishment of joint ventures, construction contracts, unanimous shareholder agreements and employee stock option plans for family-owned businesses and for other corporate clients. She also advises clients in lending transactions, from negotiation and drafting of private financing arrangements to sophisticated syndicated financings for a variety of family-owned businesses and other corporate clients in various industries.

Leah's experience is bolstered by continuous professional development. Further showcasing her dedication to working with family-owned businesses, she earned the designation of Family Enterprise Advisor in 2023. Her appointment to the Board of Advisors of the Alberta Business Family Institute is yet another example of Leah's commitment to serving as a trusted advisor to a broad range of family businesses.

Community Engagement

As an active member of the community, Leah provides guidance and mentorship to a variety of causes. She has volunteered her services to the following organizations in a number of capacities:

  • Instructor, Legal Education Society of Alberta
  • Instructor, CPLED Course
  • Instructor, Bar Admission Course
  • Former President, Association for Corporate Growth, Edmonton
  • Former Chair, Business Law Subsection, Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch)
  • Former President, Edmonton Women’s Shelter Ltd.
  • Former Board Member, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre
  • Mentor, Women’s Initiative for Leadership Learning