Corporate/M&A
Global Guide 2024 : Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 863 0900About
Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Business leaders running transformational deals – or smaller strategic ones – want a winning path to the finish line. When faced with hostile situations, they expect no less. Our focus is always on getting the deal done as we tackle issues and create strategies that simply work.
Public or private, buy or sell, we excel at the most business-critical transactions with a precise combination of creativity and practicality – meaning that our clients get the best possible business terms on the tightest closing schedules. Whether large, small or multijurisdictional, complex transactions require a firm grasp of a wide range of sophisticated issues. All demand the same level of rigour and depth of experience. Which is why we take a lean, cross-practice team approach, helping you achieve the best results, whether you’re a publicly traded company, a private equity firm or an ambitious entrepreneur.
We use our deal fluency and track record for trailblazing to get the deal done. Clients such as Burger King, in its groundbreaking US$12.5-billion acquisition of Tim Hortons, Fortis, in its US$11.3-billion transformative acquisition of ITC, and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., in its US$4.4-billion acquisition of CST Brands Inc., rely on us to achieve their strategic goals.
Chambers Review
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg is a Toronto and Montréal-based law firm with significant international M&A capabilities. The team wins widespread recognition for its involvement in complex and high-value matters, with industry-specific expertise in the technology, telecommunications, mining, retail and real estate sectors, among others. The team advises sophisticated clients on strategic transactions and often counsels investment banks on deals in the energy space, as well as representing various other multinational companies. The team stands out for its experience of hostile M&A and shareholder activism, and is well supported by the experience of complementary departments including tax and antitrust.
Work Highlights
- Davies continued to act for Shaw Communications on issues related to its CAD26 billion acquisition by Rogers Communications, most recently advising on an appeal before the Federal Court of Appeal brought by the Commissioner of Competition challenging the transaction.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Davies are exceptionally dedicated. The team's effectiveness in complex and sophisticated matters is rooted in their willingness to listen to their client and understand the business objectives."
"The reason I like working with Davies is that the team is almost an extension of our company, the lawyers look at things from a business point of view."
"Davies are exceptionally dedicated. The team's effectiveness in complex and sophisticated matters is rooted in their willingness to listen to their client and understand the business objectives."
"The reason I like working with Davies is that the team is almost an extension of our company, the lawyers look at things from a business point of view."
Notable Practitioners
Patricia Olasker is a deeply experienced lawyer whose expertise in high-value M&A transactions, proxy contests and corporate governance is widely applauded. Based in Toronto, she is well versed in handling transactions in the energy and mining spaces, among others.
"Patricia Olasker is one of the deans of the M&A practice."
Toronto-based Vincent Mercier wins praise for his deep expertise advising high-end clients on M&A and corporate governance matters. He is a regular feature on the firm's most important deals.
"Vincent Mercier is exceptional. His knowledge and experience of really complex corporate transactions is excellent."
"He is the top transactional lawyer in all of Canada. He is a visionary who sees around corners and predicts problems and challenges before they occur."
Montréal-based Franziska Ruf is recognised for her work on high-end M&A, as well as offering further capabilities advising on joint ventures and capital markets transactions.
"She is very diplomatic and well liked by all parties involved in cases. One of her biggest qualities is that she is always looking to solve problems and finding solutions."
"Franziska was great, she provided very good advice and handled the complexity of the case very well. We felt we were in good hands."
"Franziska Ruf is very responsive and efficient."
Toronto-based Patrick Barry has notable experience assisting clients with public M&A transactions in addition to private equity buyouts and fund formation.
"Patrick Barry is a business partner, not just a lawyer or hourly consultant. We work with him for his counsel, not just the legal work he and the able team there provide."
"Patrick is a practical lawyer who focuses on what is material and ensures that we get the results we want."
Ranked Lawyers at
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Canada
Members
Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP