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Randy Williamson

Partner Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 1990
People > Randy Williamson

Randy draws upon his experience as a Chartered Professional Accountant and a senior executive of a multibillion-dollar public company to resolve his clients’ corporate and commercial issues. Following a distinguished career in business, Randy has built a successful law practice by providing value through strategic advice. Since selling his own company in 2004, Randy has used his experience to assist business owners fulfil their own ambitions; whether it be to add value to, or realise the value in, their business. Randy’s practice has a particular focus on transformational transactions within Canada’s renewable energy and clean technology sectors.

As a member of the firm's Corporate/Commercial Group, Randy advises private companies and their owner-managers, private equity and venture capital investors, as well as public issuers, on acquisitions and divestitures, senior and subordinated debt and equity financings, and business structuring matters. He also helps organizations structure and negotiate shareholder, partnership, joint venture, outsourcing, distribution and licensing arrangements.

Randy has previously owned and operated three business services companies, outsourcing critical operating, marketing/communication, and HR functions for businesses large and small. He has also served as a senior executive with a large industrial products company, responsible for corporate development and treasury/finance matters.

Randy was originally trained as a Chartered Accountant, and holds the CICA's Corporate Finance designation. He has been a director and officer of several private and public companies and frequently speaks in business and legal settings on M&A and finance matters.

Randy is heavily involved in the community. He has served as a director of Big Brothers of Toronto, Board Chair and Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada and was twice awarded Toronto Big Brother of the Year.  Randy also founded The Foundation for Children with Extraordinary Opportunities (CEO Foundation) and serves as the charity’s Board Chair.

Randy is also a Board of Governors and Investment Committee Member, York University, and Board Chair, York University Alumni Association.

Professional Involvement

Memberships

  • Association for Corporate Growth
  • Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA)
  • Canadian and Ontario Institutes of Chartered Accountants
  • Canadian Solar Industries Association
  • Clean Economy Network
  • Financial Executives International

Professional Activities & Community Involvement

  • Board of Governors and Investment Committee Member, York University, Toronto
  • Board Chair, York University Alumni Association, Toronto
  • Founder and Board Chair, The Foundation for Children with Extraordinary Opportunities (CEO Foundation)
  • Founding Board Chair, Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni (2004 - 2013)
  • Board and Investment Committee Member, Toronto Atmospheric Fund (2006 - 2013)
  • Governing Council Member and Investment, Finance & Audit Committee Chair, St. James Cathedral, Toronto (2005 - 2012)
  • President, Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) (2003 - 2004)
  • Founding Council Member, Ontario's Promise to Children and Youth (2000 - 2003)
  • Board Chair and Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (1995 - 2003)
  • Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal for Community Service (2002)
  • Director, Big Brothers of Toronto (1993 - 1997)
  • Toronto Big Brother of the Year (1990, 1991)
 

Selected Speaking Engagements

Co-chair and Presenter, The Advocates' Society, "Understanding Financial Statements: A Litigator's Guide to Persuading with Numbers" (2012 - present)

"Understanding and Looking Behind Financial Statements," Masters Association of Ontario Conference  (2013)

"Drafting of Purchase and Sale Agreements," Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (2006 – 2012)

"Succession Planning," Financial Executives International SME Conference (November 2011)

Moderator, "Renewable Energy Information Forum," Niagara Region (January 2011)

Moderator, "Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan," Ontario Solar Network (January 2011)

"Contracts and Legal Issues of Participating in Solar, " Ontario Electricity Forum (September 2011)

"Financing Renewable Energy Projects," Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (February 2011)

Chair and Presenter, Canadian Institute, "Interpreting and Using Financial Statements in Legal Practice" (2010)

"Understanding Financial Statements," Canadian Bar Association Skilled Lawyer Series (2010)

"Solar Rooftop PV for Building Owners," National Green Building Conference (December 2010)

Keynote Speaker, Canadian Conference on Student Leadership, York University (2009)

"Mid-Market Corporate Finance, Current M&A Perspectives," ScotiaMcLeod Niagara (2008 - 2009)

"Corporate Finance – Perspectives on the M&A Process," Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (2007 – 2009)

Insights

Insights EnergyInsider Feb 19, 2016 Nevada's Net-Metering Decisions - A Not-so-Thin Edge of the Wedge

Education

  • LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, 1988; Corporate/Commercial Research Prize recipient
  • Canadian Securities Course (Hons), Canadian Securities Institute, 1986
  • B.Comm. (Hons), Queen's University, 1982

Expertise