Overview
Jeffrey 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 finance transactions and luxury mixed-use hotel and residential resort developments.
In his 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 has also represented 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 almost 40 years of practice 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. Over the years, Jeff has represented Four Seasons Hotels, Auberge Resorts, Cabot and others in negotiating luxury hotel and private residence management agreements, as well as related financing agreements for the development and operation of these properties.
Jeff has regularly been recognized (1) 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, and (2) by Chambers Canada for his exceptional work in Hospitality Law. Jeff is also recognized by Lexology Index: Sports & Gaming as one of Canada’s leading sports lawyers. 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 all of its corporate finance transactions over the last 20 years.
- Dexterra Group Inc. in connection with its C$425 million secured credit facilities with The Bank of Nova Scotia and other lenders.
- Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited in financing its acquisition of Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Company from Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, and all of its ongoing banking transactions.
- Auberge Hotels and Resorts in connection with the preparation and negotiation of management agreements for numerous mixed-use hotel and residential properties operated by Auberge in various resort destinations.
- Cabot Management in connection with the preparation and negotiation of development and management agreements for various mixed-use golf and residential developments.
Awards & Recognition
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Chambers Canada Band 3, Hospitality 2026
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The Legal 500 Recommended, Banking and Finance 2026
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Asset-Based Lending Practice, Banking and Finance Law 2026
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Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A Canada's Leading Finance Lawyers 2026
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Recognized, Banking & Financial Institutions 2026
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Chambers Canada Band 3, Hospitality 2025
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 Editions: Finance 2026 and Mergers & Acquisitions 2026
We are delighted to share the Lexpert Special Editions: Finance 2026 and Mergers and Acquisitions 2026 continue to feature Goodmans lawyers among Canada's best.Congratulations to the 34 lawyers… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2026 Recognizes Goodmans
We are proud to announce Goodmans continues to be recognized in the 2026 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.Congratulations to the 90 Goodmans lawyers recognized as leaders across… -
Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Receives Top-Tier Recognition from The Legal 500 Canada 2026
We are pleased to announce Goodmans has once again received top-tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2026 Guide.Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on independent research and…