Overview
Jeff Citron is a partner in the Banking and Financial Services, Hospitality Law and Entertainment and Sports Law Groups at Goodmans. His multi-faceted practice focuses primarily on corporate lending and credit restructurings, luxury mixed-use hotel and residential resort developments and sports law matters.
In 35 years of practice in the banking and finance area, Jeff has developed extensive experience acting for both lenders and borrowers in complex domestic and international secured lending transactions and debt restructuring transactions. Jeff is banking counsel to, among others, Cineplex Inc., Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited, The Clairvest Group, The Kilmer Group and Dexterra Group Inc. Jeff also regularly represents Bank of Montreal in connection with hotel related financings, and has acted from time to time for The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Fortress Credit Corp., GE Capital, Algoma Steel Inc., among others.
In the Hospitality Law area, Jeff has extensive experience representing owners and operators of hotels and resorts with the acquisition, financing, operation and management of hotels, resorts and mixed-use projects worldwide. Jeff acts for Auberge Resorts in negotiating luxury private residence development agreements and financing agreements for the development and operation of these properties.
In the Sports Law area, Jeff also advises current and former athletes and their agents and advisors.
Jeff has been recognized as a leading banking and finance lawyer by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Lawyers, IFLR1000, Chambers Global, Best Lawyers in Canada, and The Legal 500 Canada. Jeff is also recognized by Who's Who Legal: Sports & Gaming as one of Canada’s leading sports lawyers and Chambers Canada for his exceptional work in Hospitality. He is also featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A.
Featured Work
Jeff’s representative work includes acting for:
- Cineplex Inc. in connection with its private placement of $250 million of senior secured second lien notes
- Dexterra Group Inc. in connection with its $200 million secured credit facilities with The Bank of Nova Scotia and other lenders
- The Ad Hoc Committee of senior secured noteholders of Calfrac Well Services in Calfrac’s complex restructuring under the Canada Business Corporations Act and the issuance of 1.5 Lien senior secured convertible PIK notes
- Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited, a Canadian-based joint venture between prominent businessman and philanthropist Larry Tanenbaum O.C., and Junior Bridgeman, a former National Basketball Association player, renowned entrepreneur and owner of Kansas City-based Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, in financing its acquisition of Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Company from Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company
- Auberge Hotels and Resorts in connection with the preparation and negotiation of residential management agreements for the Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, Chileno Bay Resort and Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection, as well as numerous other residential properties operated by Auberge in various resort destinations
Awards & Recognition
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Chambers Canada Band 3, Hospitality 2024
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The Legal 500 Canada Recommended, Banking and Finance 2024
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Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A Canada's Leading Finance and M&A Lawyers 2024
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Recognized, Banking & Financial Institutions 2024
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Asset-Based Lending Practice, Banking and Finance Law 2024
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Who's Who Legal Recognized National Leader, Sports and Entertainment 2023
Credentials
Professional Involvement
From 1995 to 2000, Jeff took leave from Goodmans to act as full-time associate counsel to the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) and was lead NHLPA counsel in drafting the 1995 collective bargaining agreement. In addition, Jeff acted as lead NHLPA representative on the Investment Committee of the NHL Players Pension Plan, as well as chairman and secretary of the board of trustees for the NHL Players Pension Plan from 1999-2001.
Jeff has been published in the National Banking Law Review, the University of British Columbia Law Review and in various sports publications on issues involving the business of sports. Jeff has been a frequent guest lecturer on collective bargaining in sports and the business of sports at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School.
Education
- University of Toronto, J.D., 1985, Dean's Honour List
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- Sports Lawyers Association
Call to Bar
- 1987 Ontario
Insights
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Hospitality
Licensing Arrangements for Branded Restaurants in Luxury Hotels
The hospitality industry has witnessed a growing trend in the number of “marquee” or “destination” restaurant brands opening in luxury hotel properties around the world. In this context, it is… -
Hospitality
Ongoing Issues in Negotiating Subordination and Non-Disturbance Agreements in the Hotel Industry - Part II
Negotiating hotel management agreements on behalf of Hotel Owners and Hotel Operators has become increasingly complex. As we discussed in Part I of this Hospitality Law Update, one of several… -
Hospitality
Ongoing Issues in Negotiating Subordination and Non-Disturbance Agreements in the Hotel Industry
Negotiating hotel management agreements on behalf of Hotel Owners and Hotel Operators has become increasingly complex. One of several key issues that arises is the Hotel Owner’s ability to…
News & Events
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Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Lawyers Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2024
We are delighted to announce the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2024 once again features Goodmans lawyers among Canada's experts.Congratulations to our 33 featured lawyers:Alan… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 Continues to Recognize Goodmans
We are proud to announce Goodmans LLP has once again been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.91 Goodmans lawyers have been recognized as top-tier in their… -
Banking and Financial Services
Who's Who Legal Continues to Recognize Goodmans in the Canada 2023 Guide
We are pleased to share Goodmans lawyers have been recognized across Who's Who Legal's National Guide: Canada 2023. WWL National Guides identify national or regional leaders in a sector, industry…