Barbara Farina

Partner | Co-Department Head, M&A, Corporate & Commercial Group (INTERIM)

Barbara is a Partner in KRB’s Banking and Finance and M&A groups and Co-Head of the firm’s M&A and Corporate Services groups. With more than 25 years of experience, she is recognized for her deep expertise in secured lending and her leadership in complex corporate and transactional matters. In her leadership roles, Barbara oversees and coordinates multidisciplinary teams, bringing a strategic, business-oriented approach to high-stakes mandates.

Barbara advises lenders, sponsors, and corporate borrowers on a broad range of financing transactions, including domestic and cross-border acquisition financings, syndicated and bilateral credit facilities, asset-based and secured lending, project and real estate financings, and leasing. Her practice spans multiple industries, including financial institutions, transportation, natural resources, real estate, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

In addition to her financing practice, Barbara plays a central role in mergers and acquisitions, representing purchasers and sellers in complex transactions and working closely with management teams, financial advisors, and other stakeholders. Her combined experience in secured lending and M&A allows her to deliver integrated, commercially focused advice across the full lifecycle of corporate transactions.

Clients value Barbara for her judgment, collaborative approach, and ability to provide clear, practical advice on complex matters. She regularly contributes to professional panels and publications on financing and corporate transactions and is committed to sharing insights that reflect evolving market dynamics and client priorities.

Representative Work

Acted for an important Canadian retailer in connection with a refinancing involving a senior secured US asset-based lender and a junior secured Canadian sub debt lender involving multiple jurisdictions and complex security arrangements across Canada and the United States.
Acted for a Canadian chartered bank in connection with a sophisticated acquisition financing involving emphyteutic lease rights for the acquisition and redevelopment of a hotel in downtown Montreal.
Acted for the purchasers in connection with the buy-out (and accompanying financing) of 50% shareholders in various companies involved in the importing and distribution of fruits and vegetables in Canada and the US.
Acted for a manufacturing and distribution company in connection with a senior syndicated asset-based loan (in excess of $100,000,000) involving multiple jurisdictions and complex security arrangements across Canada and the United States.
Acted for a Canadian transportation and logistics company in connection with a senior syndicated corporate loan (in excess of $100,000,000) involving multiple jurisdictions and complex security arrangements across Canada.
Acted for a construction and property developer in connection with senior secured term loans (in excess of $300,000,000) for the acquisition, construction, and development of industrial lands, involving complex title and environmental issues.
Acted for a Canadian chartered bank in connection with the senior secured financing involving the acquisition and operation of government-sponsored senior residences and intermediate resources in Quebec.
Acted for a Canadian chartered bank in connection with the putting in place of a senior secured asset-based deal involving cross-border security and a complex intercreditor agreement with a lender (another Canadian chartered bank) providing factoring services for certain revenue streams.
Acted for a Canadian transportation and logistics company in connection with corporate reorganizations involving the buy-out of minority shareholders.
Acted for a Canadian garment manufacturer in connection with a senior secured asset-based and corporate loans involving multiple jurisdictions and security arrangements across Canada and the US.
Acted for a property manager in connection with the senior security term loans (in excess of $115,000,000) involving its entire real estate portfolio in Quebec (14 properties with title and environmental issues).
Acted for a Canadian importer and distributor of women’s fashion apparel in connection with the senior secured corporate refinancing (in excess of $100,000,000) (involving significant trade finance instruments, letters of credit).
Acted for a Quebec real estate developer in connection with several property-specific term loans for the acquisition, construction, and development of real estate throughout the province of Quebec.

Practice Areas

Banking & Finance

Corporate and Commercial Law

Financial Products & Services

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Private Equity

Projects & Infrastructure

Awards and Recognition

Best Lawyers in Canada:

– Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2026

– Asset-Based Lending Practice, 2022-2026

– Banking and Finance Law, 2020-2026

– Project Finance Law, 2021-2026

– Venture Capital Law, 2025-2026

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory:

– Asset-Based Lending, 2025
– Asset Equipment Finance/Leasing, 2021-2025
– Banking & Financial Institutions, 2021-2025

Legal 500 Canada:

– Banking and Finance, 2013

Lexpert Special Editions:

– Finance, 2025

Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

Education

Université de Montréal, LL.B. (1996)

Year of Call

Quebec Bar (1998)

Team
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