Canada: Mergers & Acquisitions
According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the second quarter of 2011 saw 836 Canadian M&A announcements, worth close to a total of $57 billion: the strongest deal quarter in Canada since the credit crisis. Our research identifies 38 individuals with a proven track record in M&A work who will play a major role in the continued prosperity of the market.
Stikeman Elliott LLP demonstrates the strength of its corporate practice with six names in this section. The firm has been credited as a significant player in the market and recently represented Johnson & Johnson as Canadian counsel in its acquisition of Synthes for US$21.3 billion. William Braithwaite is “at the top of the profession” and is one of the most highly regarded names in our research. Praised for the depth of his practice, he has represented a wide range of corporations, boards of directors and institutional investors. Former chair of the firm Edward Waitzer is a “first class lawyer”. John Leopold, co-chair of the firm’s M&A group, is “one of Montreal’s finest lawyers” and has a particular focus on cross-border transactions. Sidney Horn’s clients include large domestic and international corporations and William Rosenberg is recognised for his work on behalf of clients across Canada, the United States and Europe. The “excellent” Peter Castiel’s practice includes advising private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds and public and private companies.
Also listing six lawyers, McCarthy Tétrault LLP includes an impressive line-up of M&A specialists. Garth Girvan is regarded as “a leader in the field” and is recognised for his work as counsel to BCE in its $1.3 billion acquisition of CTV. Toronto-based Graham Gow was recommended to researchers for his specialist knowledge of public M&A transactions. David Woollcombe is leader of the business law group and recently represented CIBC on its acquisition of an approximately $2 billion credit card portfolio from Citigroup’s Canadian MasterCard business. Cameron Belsher in Vancouver is a “great lawyer and trusted adviser to many Canadian businesses”. Joining him is the “impressive” Richard Balfour who acts for private and public corporations, investment dealers and private equity funds and the “highly reputable” Patrick Boucher.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP lawyers have advised Bank of America and MBNA Canada on the acquisition of MBNA Canada’s credit card portfolio by TD Bank in a transaction valued at $8.5billion. We recognise five names from the firm in this chapter. The “outstanding” David Jackson is the firm’s former chairman and Pat Finnerty is a “definite for inclusion”. In Vancouver, Bob Wooder is renowned for his work on energy-related transactions and recently advised Capstone Mining in connection with its $710 million acquisition of Far West Mining and its simultaneous strategic alliance with Korea Resources Corporation. Chair of the firm Brock Gibson QC is a “respected name in the market” who has acted as lead counsel on more than 170 mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations and public equity and debt offerings. Jeffrey Lloyd has advised purchasers, target companies, vendors and financial advisors in both public and private M&A transactions. A recent transaction involved advising BHP Billiton on its US$40 billion offer to acquire Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan.
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP is a respected corporate firm. Nicholas Dietrich is a “skilful practitioner” and the “very bright” Tina Woodside is recommended by peers and clients as having “a good deal of business acumen”. Pierre Magnan leads the Calgary corporate finance and M&A practice group and is praised for his work in energy related matters. In Montreal, Mireille Fontaine is in charge of the office’s M&A group and focuses on distressed M&A in the life sciences and technology industries.
At Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP the “brilliant” William Ainley is a leading name with experience that includes acting as lead counsel for bidders and target boards in public takeovers and M&A transactions. Kevin Thomson is “an excellent lawyer who is second to none for mining work” and Vincent Mercier recently acted for Maple Group Acquisition Corporation in its proposed $3.7 billion acquisition of TMX Group.
Three lawyers feature from Bennett Jones LLP. Francis Allen is co-leader of the firm’s capital markets and M&A practice and the “top-tier” Alan Bell has “extensive knowledge and industry experience”. Completing the list is Alberta-based John Kousinioris who co-chairs the firm’s corporate commercial department.
At Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Jeff Barnes and Jay A Lefton, who is known for his work with life sciences and technology companies, are both stand out names in our research. Two names feature form the Toronto office of Goodmans LLP. Jonathan Lampe is described as a “pre-eminent figure in this field” and has performed particularly well in the research. Accompanying him, the “excellent” Stephen Halperin is renowned for his work on cross-border M&A with clients that include Norilsk Nickel and TOTAL SA.
At Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP the “legendary” Clay Horner is “one of the best in the business” and is commended for his “first-rate practice” making him one of the most recommended individuals in the research overall. He is joined by Jean Fraser, who has extensive experience in public take-over bids and asset acquisitions and divestures. Two names from Torys LLP feature: the highly regarded chair of the firm’s corporate and capital markets practice Peter Jewett, as well as the “impressive” Sharon Geraghty.
At Macleod Dixon LLP, Robert Engbloom QC is a “top name for energy related matters” and is also highly thought of for his work in the oil sand sector. Mitchell Gropper QC of Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy LLP is “a prominent name in Vancouver” who is described as “incredibly knowledgeable”. Chairman of Norton Rose OR LLP Norman M Steinberg is an “exceptional lawyer” who is credited for the depth of his practice, which covers high value transactions in a diverse cross-section of sectors ranging from hospitality, oil and gas, telecommunications and electronics.