Profile
“My strongest professional quality is my ability to build trust and long-term relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
Sean Maxwell is a driving force in Canada’s pension and benefits legal sector, known for his technical depth, strategic advice, and commitment to strengthening pension infrastructure. As a partner at BMKP Law, he leads the firm’s Western Canadian practice, advising employers and plan sponsors and administrators on all aspects of pensions, benefits, and executive compensation law.
Maxwell’s career has been shaped by intention and opportunity. “I was deliberate about building a career in law, governance, and public policy,” he reflects. Pensions and benefits offered the complexity and impact he sought, and he broadened his perspective through secondments with financial institutions and leadership roles in industry bodies.
His recent work includes advising a major public sector plan on its first asset and liability transfer – a strategic milestone that reshaped its consolidation strategy. He has also led governance reviews for both private sector and quasi-public institutions and supported multi-employer plans through complex investment transactions. These mandates reflect not only legal expertise but also a deep understanding of the operational and strategic challenges facing plan sponsors and administrators today.
Maxwell is one of the few pension lawyers in Western Canada with full-spectrum expertise across pensions, benefits, and executive compensation. Whether advising on regulatory compliance or helping clients navigate insolvency proceedings, his work consistently bridges technical precision with practical, forward-looking solutions.
His regional insights have helped bring concerns of Western Canadian employers into national conversations. As vice chair of the Association of Canadian Pension Management’s (ACPM) National Policy Committee, he influences the regulatory agenda through submissions, dialogue with regulators, and guidance on emerging governance issues. His leadership on ACPM’s Alberta Regional Council and National Conference Planning Committee builds bridges among employers, service providers, and policymakers.
Mentorship and collaboration are central to his approach. “Leadership is about supporting others – whether it’s employers navigating governance challenges or younger lawyers developing their skills,” he says. At BMKP Law, he serves as professional partner, overseeing lawyer recruitment and development.
Through teaching and speaking engagements, he helps train the next generation of pension and benefits professionals, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and ethical leadership.
Maxwell’s motivation lies in helping employers balance sustainability with member obligations. That commitment is reflected in what he describes as “realistic, principled problem-solving and collaboration” – a mindset that guides both his legal counsel and policy contributions. His recognition on BPM’s Hot List for 2025 reflects this dual impact as a trusted advisor and contributor to the evolving architecture of Canada’s retirement system.
Outside of client work, Maxwell remains engaged in community leadership. He serves as past chair of Clear Water Academy, a top-ranked independent school in Calgary, and as chair of Lumen Faith and Leadership Canada, a non-profit network that encourages business leaders to integrate personal values with professional life.
Maxwell sees professional excellence and community service as deeply connected. His work reflects a commitment to strengthening Canada’s pension infrastructure, mentoring future leaders, and building resilient institutions that serve both employers and members.
“When plan providers are well-positioned to meet their responsibilities, the entire system is stronger,” he says. Through industry shifts, Maxwell remains a steady presence – shaping policy, guiding strategy, and helping clients and colleagues navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 1005, Box 17, Richmond-Adelaide Centre, Toronto, ON M5H 3P5
403 585 4559
sean.maxwell@bmkplaw.com
linkedin.com/in/sean-maxwell-58490332
bmkplaw.com/who-we-are/sean-maxwell.html
Sean Maxwell
Partner, Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation
BMKP Law
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Milestones
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
2002–2006
2006–2009
2009–2024
2024–present
2025
Associate at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in the Pensions and Benefits group
2002–2006
Associate at Bennett Jones LLP in the Pensions and Benefits Group
2006–2009
Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Calgary), in the Pensions, Benefits and Executive Compensation group
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ as Lawyer of the Year (2021, 2023) for Employee Benefits Law in Calgary
Twice seconded to major Canadian financial institutions to advise on pensions and benefits matters
2009–2024
Partner, BMKP Law (Calgary/Toronto), a boutique law firm specializing exclusively in pensions, benefits, and executive compensation
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ as Lawyer of the Year (2025) for Employee Benefits Law in Calgary
Consistently ranked by Chambers Canada, The Legal 500 Canada, and Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading pensions and benefits lawyer
Vice Chair, National Policy Committee, Association of Canadian Pension Management
Frequent national speaker and author on pensions and benefits law
2024–present
Over 17,000 investors entrust Equiton with their capital Honoured by …. as one of its Enterprising Women of the Year
2025
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
