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Randy Williamson

Randy Williamson

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

Randy draws upon 35 years of experience as a legal adviser, Chartered Professional Accountant, public company senior executive and three-time business owner to help his clients’ achieve their organizational objectives. Following a distinguished career in business, Randy has built a successful law practice by providing value to clients through strategic advice, so they may fulfill the mission of, add value to, or realize the value of their enterprise. Randy has a particular focus on Canada’s sustainability industries – renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology.

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 clients settle shareholder, partnership, joint venture, outsourcing, distribution and licensing arrangements.

Randy 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, publicly-listed industrial products company, responsible for all corporate development and treasury/finance activities. Randy was originally trained as a Chartered Accountant, and holds CPA Canada’s Corporate Finance qualification. 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 deeply involved in the community. He is currently a Governor, Board Executive Committee member and Land & Property Committee Chair at York University. He previously chaired its Pension Fund Board and the Endowment and Treasury Funds’ Investment Committee, as well as chairing the York University Alumni Board.

Randy has served as Board Vice-Chair of The Atmospheric Fund and member of its Investment Committee. He was a Governing Council member and Finance/Investment Committee Chair at St. James Cathedral, governing the investment of its endowment funds, and shepherding financing matters for the building of its Cathedral Centre. Randy was Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, and founded its Alumni program. He was twice named Toronto Big Brother of the Year, and received Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Community Service.

Professional Involvement

Memberships

  • Association for Corporate Growth
  • Canadian Solar Industries Association
  • Canadian Wind Energy Association
  • Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association
  • CPA Canada and CPA Ontario
  • Financial Executives International

Professional Activities & Community Involvement

  • Governor, Executive Committee member, Land & Property Chair, York University, Toronto
  • Pension Board Chair, Endowment/Treasury Funds Committee Chair, York University Alumni Board Chair, York University, Toronto (2005-2018)
  • Board Vice-Chair, Investment Committee member, Toronto Atmospheric Fund (2006 - 2013)
  • Governing Council Member, Investment, Finance & Audit Committee Chair, St. James Cathedral, Toronto (1999 - 2012)
  • Founding Board Chair, Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni (2004 - 2013)
  • President, Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (now Enactus) (2003 - 2004)
  • Board Chair, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (1995 - 2003)
  • Founding Council Member, Ontario's Promise to Children and Youth (2000 - 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

“Tax Implications of Broadening of Corporate Registries,” Ontario Bar Association’s Institute (2020)

Moderator, Association for Corporate Growth, "U.S. Inbound Investing - Implications of USMCA, Tariff and other Trade Barriers," (2019)

Moderator, Business Transition Forum, "Strategic Buyers and Private Equity Purchasers," (2019)

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 StartupSource Sep 30, 2020 Financial Tech Startup goPeer Receives Aird & Berlis StartupSource Market Entry Award
Insights StartupSource May 27, 2019 Maple Leaf Angels Teams Up With Aird & Berlis Once Again
Insights EnergyInsider Feb 19, 2016 Nevada's Net-Metering Decisions - A Not-so-Thin Edge of the Wedge

Education

  • Corporate Finance (CF) Qualification, CPA Canada, 2008
  • JD, Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, 1988
  • Chartered Accountant (CPA), 1984
  • B.Comm. (Hons), Queen's University, 1982

Expertise

Industries