The Legal 500 > Canada > Canada > Corporate and M&A

From its Toronto and Montréal bases, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is regularly engaged to advise on sophisticated corporate matters across Canada. A popular choice for US-related cross-border transactions, the team's recent highlights have also included transactions involving Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm handles the full spread of corporate and M&A matters, but is particularly revered for its reputation in hostile M&A and proxy contests. In Toronto, Vincent Mercier is widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading M&A experts; he recently advised funds managed by The Blackstone Group on Blackstone’s C$6.2bn all-cash acquisition of Dream Global REIT, which marked the largest-ever REIT M&A transaction in Canada. Patricia Olasker is also a high-profile name for corporate work and complex shareholder activism matters. Other key names in Toronto include ‘effective communicator and negotiator’ Brett Seifred and transactional mining specialist Melanie Shishler, who recently advised Barrick Gold on its landmark C$20bn joint venture with Newmont Goldcorp. In Montréal, Franziska Ruf leads the firm’s relationships with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board. Seasoned corporate partner Richard Cherney is also recommended in Montréal.

Toronto-based Goodmans LLP is unique among Seven Sisters’ firms in its single-office business model; however, the firm manages a significant share of Canada’s largest corporate and M&A transactions and is consistently involved in deals throughout the country. It is also a regular participant in cross-border work, including recent highlights for US-based Newmont Goldcorp, Israel-based Medison Biotech and US-based Invesque. A stand-out performer in the REIT and health care sectors, the group also shines in the areas of mining and private equity and—thanks in part to the firm's market-leading restructuring practice—distressed M&A. Jonathan Lampe is highly regarded for his broad corporate and securities practice, covering M&A and corporate governance; he was formerly general counsel to the Ontario Securities Commission. Neill May co-chairs the corporate securities group and recently advised Newmont Goldcorp on its headline joint venture with Barrick Gold. Corporate securities co-head Robert Vaux had a banner year, which included advising Onex Corporation on its C$5bn acquisition of WestJet Airlines. Senior counsel Stephen Halperin is also widely recognized among the leading corporate and securities lawyers in the market. Other experienced names include capital markets lead Stephen Pincus and firm chairman Dale Lastman. Jon Feldman is also recommended.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP cements its position at the top of the deal tables, securing a significant portion of the most standout M&A mandates in Canada. The firm handles a steady stream of mid-market and large-scale transactions for a variety of industry clients, from emerging companies through to major multinationals. Notably, its sizeable New York office is a valuable asset for US-based clients. Widely regarded as a go-to firm for private equity and pension funds, the team can turn its hand to transactions in any market segment and has recently won key roles in landmark deals in the REIT, mining, media and energy sectors. Emmanuel Pressman chairs the national corporate department and is involved in many of the group’s most high-profile deals; he recently advised KingSett Capital on its C$4.8bn acquisition, together with Starlight Investments, of Northview Apartment REIT. Also among the team's key contacts, Jeremy Fraiberg heads the M&A group and has an impressive record in mining, REITs and private equity-related deals; Douglas Marshall recently advised Dream Global REIT on its C$6.2bn buyout by Blackstone Group. Firm managing partner Douglas Bryce is another leading name for M&A and securities law matters. In Calgary, Frank Turner is noted for his experience advising technology and high-growth company clients. Mining co-chair James Brown is also recommended. Named lawyers are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.

Transactional powerhouse Stikeman Elliott LLP houses a comprehensive corporate and M&A practice, which stands as a first port of call for advice on complex domestic and cross-border deals. Thanks in part to its consistently strong regional offerings across Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta, the firm stands out as a strong choice for resource large-scale, event-driven transactions. The firm also leans on its longstanding international outposts in New York, London and Sydney to advise on multi-jurisdictional matters with a Canadian component. Widely recognized as a dominant force in private equity buyouts, the corporate department is also complemented by the wider firm’s strong skill sets in mining, real estate and energy. John Ciardullo heads the corporate group in Toronto and maintains a premier M&A practice, with his recent experience spanning high-profile deals in the media, mining and REIT spaces. Toronto managing partner Jeffrey Singer is sought after for complex Canadian and cross-border M&A, capital markets and private equity transactions. Simon Romano, who focuses on securities, public and private M&A and corporate finance, is also a respected name in Toronto. In Montréal, John Leopold is considered among the market leaders for his track record in private equity and M&A. The firm also fields an impressive band of up-and-coming partners, which includes Toronto-based Amanda Linett, Montréal private equity and M&A head Sophie Lamonde and Sean Vanderpol, who co-heads the capital markets and public M&A groups in Toronto.

Bennett Jones LLP continues to broaden its national scope, with its premier Calgary offering complemented by fast-growing groups in Toronto and Vancouver. Widely recognized for its dominance in energy transactions, the department also demonstrates strong capabilities in mining, consumer products, cannabis and agribusiness. Calgary managing partner Patrick Maguire is renowned for his expertise in energy transactions and recently advised Devon Canada Corporation and Devon Canada Crude Marketing Corporation on the C$3.8bn sale of their assets to Canadian Natural Resources. Vice-chairman Perry Spitznagel QC is another high-profile name in Calgary. Key contacts in Toronto include M&A co-head Curtis Cusinato and Kristopher Hanc, an impressive name on the more junior end of the partnership. Christian Gauthier is an up-and-coming M&A specialist in Vancouver. David Spencer recently retired.

A prolific player in mid-market M&A, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP also secures a significant volume of big-ticket corporate transactions, particularly in the mining sector. Among its other strong suits, the team handles a raft of private equity deals, energy-related matters and contested transactions. In Vancouver, mining chair Fred Pletcher’s broad corporate practice spans M&A, corporate finance, governance issues and shareholder activism. Pletcher recently paired up with Vancouver-based Warren Learmonth to advise Northview Apartment REIT on its C$4.8bn acquisition by Starlight Group Property Holdings and KingSett Capital. The national public M&A group is led jointly from Toronto by Paul Mingay and Graham King. Senior associate Kyle Denomme, also based in Toronto, is also recommended.

Baker McKenzie is distinguished by its expansive international network, which provides the firm with comprehensive international support in multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team is particularly well-versed in M&A, corporate restructurings and takeover bids, with a strong record in the natural resources, health care and consumer industries. Department head David Palumbo handles a mix of corporate and securities transactions.

The corporate group at Calgary-based Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP leverages its top-tier oil and gas reputation to secure headline energy-related transactions. A particularly active firm on behalf of junior oil companies, it also enjoys strong links with private equity funds, technology companies and aviation clients. William Maslechko is recommended for M&A, capital markets and corporate governance issues.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s corporate and M&A practice is largely fuelled by its first-class offerings in the mining and cannabis spaces, with the recent resurgence in the former industry helping to offset the slow-down in Canada’s cannabis market. Key department contacts include managing partner Mark Bennett and mining specialist Paul Stein, both of whom are based in Toronto.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP’s clients highlight the corporate team's ability to ‘suggest practical answers to any given situation’. The firm has offices throughout Canada’s key commercial centres, with a strong local presence in Alberta and British Columbia. A top choice for forestry clients, the group also regularly acts for start-ups, energy companies and real estate clients. Ted Maduri and David Stratton QC jointly lead the group from Toronto and Edmonton, respectively. Another contact in Toronto is Robert Fonn, who is recommended for cannabis-sector work.

Vancouver-headquartered Lawson Lundell LLP stands out for its focus on Western and Northern Canada, where it is recognized as a strong performer in several core regional industries, including mining, agribusiness and energy. David Allard is widely regarded as a leader in British Columbia for M&A transactions, particularly in the areas of forestry and technology, while Valerie Mann is recommended for technology work; both are based in Vancouver.