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Sherri Altshuler

Sherri M. Altshuler

Partner* Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 2005
*Practising as a professional corporation
People > Sherri M. Altshuler

Sherri earns the trust of her clients by adeptly managing complex and time-sensitive corporate finance transactions and by providing relevant, business-focused solutions to corporate/commercial and capital markets issues. Her depth of perspective and understanding of corporate and securities law matters comes from her ongoing representation of clients ranging from small and medium enterprises to established multi-billion dollar corporations. Sherri effectively prioritizes issues on complex and time-sensitive transactions, and works diligently to ensure that outcomes align with her clients’ overall business goals.

Sherri is co-Practice Group Leader of the firm's Capital Markets Group, co-Chair of the Cannabis Group and a member of the Corporate/Commercial, Mining, Capital Pool Company and Startups Groups. Her practice is focused on mergers, acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, public and private financings and ongoing corporate and commercial matters. She has developed specialized expertise in capital markets transactions in the REIT, cannabis, technology, psychedelics and mining sectors, including with respect to board governance, securities and financing matters.

Sherri regularly advises corporations on public offerings, private placement financings, flow-through financings, reverse takeovers, stock exchange listings, continuous disclosure, corporate governance and the formation and completion of qualifying transactions for companies established under the TSX Venture Exchange Capital Pool Company Program.

Sherri is a member of the TSX Venture Exchange Ontario Advisory Committee and a former member of the Ontario Securities Commission Small and Medium Enterprises Committee. Sherri previously completed a six-month term of secondment with the Corporate Finance Branch of the Ontario Securities Commission where she was responsible for reviewing and clearing prospectuses and considering applications for relief from the requirements of the Securities Act (Ontario). Sherri also instructs Corporate Finance at Windsor Law School and is a frequent public speaker.

In 2017, Sherri was recognized as one of Lexpert magazine’s Rising Stars: Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40 and, in 2018, was recognized as a leading lawyer to watch in the area of Corporate Finance & Securities. Sherri is also recognized as a leading lawyer in Cannabis Law by Chambers Canada and The Best Lawyers in Canada.

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in Chambers Canada 2020, 2021 and 2022 as a leading lawyer in Cannabis Law
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 and 2022 as a top practitioner in Cannabis Law
  • Listed in the Best Lawyers Global Business Edition 2020 in Cannabis Law
  • Listed in the 2018/2019 Lexpert Leading Canadian Lawyers in Global Mining Special Edition
  • Recognized in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2018 as a leading lawyer to watch in the area of Corporate Finance & Securities
  • Recognized as one of Lexpert's Rising Stars: Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40, 2017
  • Recipient of the Stikeman Elliott Carswell National Tax Award and the Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Prize in Taxation

Professional Involvement

Professional Activities

  • President's Counsel, The Duke of Edinburgh's Emerging Leaders' Dialogues Canada
  • Member, TSX Venture Exchange Ontario Advisory Committee
  • Member, the Ontario Securities Commission's Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, 2016, 2017 and 2018

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • International Cannabis Bar Association
  • Women in Capital Markets
  • Women Lawyers of Interlaw

Community Involvement

  • The Arthritis Society (Ontario), Board of Directors
  • Planning Committee, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, Freedom Day event
  • Event host/coordinator, Holocaust Education Week, education program 

Teaching Engagements

  • Special Lecturer, "Corporate Finance," University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018

Representative Matters

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, a leading owner, manager and developer of distinctive urban workspace in Canada’s major cities and network-dense urban data centres in Toronto, in its completion of a $500 million debt offering of 3.095% series I senior unsecured debentures. The Series I Debentures are Allied’s second Green Bond issuance under its previously announced Green Financing Framework.

Represented Keystone Canna Remedies in its acquisition by TerrAscend Corp., a North American cannabis operator, for US$70 million.

Represented PsyBio Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing a new class of drugs intended for the potential treatment of mental health challenges and other disorders, in the completion of its reverse takeover of PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. (formerly Leo Acquisitions Corp.) (TSXV:PSYB) and related private placement offering of subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $14.5 million.

Represented Harborside Inc., a California-focused, vertically-integrated cannabis enterprise, in the completion of a brokered private placement offering of units for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $35 million. 

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $600 million debt offering of 1.726% series H senior unsecured debentures. The Series H Debentures are Allied’s inaugural Green Bond issuance under its recently announced Green Financing Framework.

Represented Cybin Inc., a biotechnology company focused on progressing psychedelic therapeutics, in the completion of a bought deal short form prospectus offering of units for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $34 million.

Represented Cybin Inc. (the “Company”) (NEO: CYBN) in the completion of its reverse takeover of Clarmin Explorations Inc. pursuant to the terms of an amalgamation agreement among Cybin Corp., Clarmin and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company as well as a private placement offering of 60 million subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $45 million.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $300 million debt offering.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $400 million debt offering.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $345 million public equity offering of units.

Represented Harborside Inc. (formerly Lineage Grow Company Ltd.) (CSE: HBOR) in the completion of its reverse takeover of FLRish, Inc. pursuant to the terms of a merger agreement among the Company, FLRish and Lineage Merger Sub Inc. by way of a “three-cornered merger.”

Represented Pistil Partners Inc. in the completion of a private placement of its common shares and acquisition of Ironside Hemp Company Inc., a private U.S.-based hemp management company.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $300 million debt offering.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $345 million public equity offering.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $230 million public equity offering.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $155 million public equity offering.

Represented Baylin Technologies Inc. (TSX:BYL), a diversified leading global wireless technology management company, in the completion of a $40.25 million bought deal public offering of subscription receipts and 6.5% extendible convertible unsecured debentures and the related acquisition of Alga Microwave Inc.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its completion of a $299 million public equity offering.

Represented Eve & Co Incorporated (formerly Carlaw Capital V Corp.) (TSXV:EVE) in the completion of its TSXV qualifying transaction with Natural MedCo Ltd., pursuant to a “three-cornered amalgamation.”

Represented Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. (TSX:SEV), a leading provider of high-performance analog semiconductor products for broadband connectivity markets, in a $15.3 million bought deal public offering.

Represented Baylin Technologies Inc. in a $19.8 million bought deal public offering.

Represented ICC International Cannabis Corporation, a licensed producer and seller of recreational cannabis, medicinal cannabinoid extracts and industrial hemp products in Uruguay, in a $23 million bought deal equity offering.

Represented Trevali Mining Corporation (TSX:TV) in connection with the acquisition of a portfolio of zinc assets, including an 80% interest in the Rosh Pinah mine in Namibia and a 90% interest in the Perkoa mine in Burkina Faso, for an aggregate purchase price of US$417.86 million. 

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its recently completed $300 million public equity offering of units.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust in its recently completed $200 million public offering of 3.636% series C senior unsecured debentures.

Represented Trevali Mining Corporation (TSX:TV) in connection with the completion of a bought-deal private placement of subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $264,546,000.

Represented International Cannabis Corp in a $13 million brokered private placement of subscription receipts and subsequent qualifying transaction with Shogun Capital Corp., a capital pool company listed on the TSXV. The resulting issuer is now named ICC International Cannabis Corporation and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “ICC.”

Represented Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX:WDO), a Canadian gold producer and explorer, in connection with the completion of a public offering for gross proceeds of $17 million. 

Represented Theratechnologies Inc. (TSX: TH), a specialty pharmaceutical company, in connection with the completion of a public offering for gross proceeds of $11 million.

Represented Chrysalis Capital IX Corporation, a capital pool company, in connection with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Inspira Financial Inc. (TSXV: LND).

Represented LL Capital Corp., a capital pool company, in connection with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Syncordia Technologies and Healthcare Solutions, Corp. (TSXV: SYN).

Represented Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV:UCU), in connection with its non-brokered equity private placement of units for aggregate gross proceeds of $7.88 million.

Represented Trevali Mining Corporation (TSX:TV) in connection with a short form prospectus offering of its common shares raising gross proceeds of CAD $46,006,900.

Represented Alexander Nubia International Inc. (TSXV: AAN), a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing exploration projects in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, in connection with its prospectus offering of common shares.

Represented Chrysalis Capital VI Corporation (TSXV: CPC), a capital pool company, in connection with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Exclamation Investments Inc. (TSXV: XI).

Represented Chrysalis Capital VII Corporation (TSXV: SEV), a capital pool company, in connection with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Alexander Nubia Inc. (TSXV: AAN).

Represented Exclamation Investments Corporation (TSXV: XI), an innovative business creator, in connection with its private placement of common shares.

Represented Galane Gold Ltd. (TSXV:GG), a gold producer and explorer with mining operations and exploration tenements in Botswana, in connection with its acquisition of Gallery Gold Pty Ltd. from IAMGOLD Corporation, its concurrent financing and its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Carlaw Capital III Corp. (TSXV: CW).

Represented Auryx Gold Corp. (TSX:AUX) in a bought deal offering, including the exercise of an over-allotment option, with a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and Jennings Capital Inc. and also including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Wellington West Capital Markets Inc., Cormark Securities Inc., GMP Securities L.P., and TD Securities Inc.

Represented Trevali Mining Corporation (TSX: TV, BVLAC: TV, OTCQX: TREVF, Frankfurt: 4TI) with an underwritten financing of units and flow-through common shares for gross proceeds of CAD$30.6 million.

Represented Trevali Mining Corporation (TSX: TV, BVLAC: TV, OTCQX: TREVF, Frankfurt: 4TI) in connection with a business combination by way of a plan of arrangement.

Represented Trevali Mining Corporation (TSX: TV, BVLAC: TV, OTCQX: TREVF, Frankfurt: 4TI) in connection with its acquisition of the Caribou Mine and Mill.

Represented Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust(TSX:AP.UN) in connection with its public equity offerings.

Represented Carlaw Capital Corp. (TSXV) with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Nyah Resources Inc. (TSXV:NRU).

Represented Carlaw Capital II Corp. (TSXV) with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with True Context Mobile Solutions Inc. (TSXV:TMN).

Represented Chrysalis Capital II Corporation (TSXV) with its Qualifying Transaction, being the business combination with Tangarine Concepts Corp.

Represented Chrysalis Capital IV Corporation (TSXV) and Homeland Energy Group Ltd. (TSX:HEG) in connection with their business combination and subsequent listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Represented Chrysalis Capital II Corporation (TSXV), Chrysalis Capital IV Corporation (TSXV) Chrysalis Capital VI Corporation (TSXV) and Chrysalis Capital VII Corporation (TSXV:SEV) in their initial public offerings.

Represented PreMD Inc. (TSX:PMD) in connection with its convertible debenture offerings.

Represented St. Louis-based Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. in connection with its purchase of Western Waffles for a purchase price in excess of US$80 million.

Represented ROW Entertainment Income Fund in connection with the acquisition of Koch Entertainment for a purchase price of US$80 million.

Represented SLAM Exploration Ltd. (TSXV:SXL) in connection with its equity private placements.

Represented numerous private and publicly listed companies in connection with equity and debt financings, and share purchase and asset purchase transactions.

Represented numerous publicly listed companies in connection with their continuous disclosure obligation, board governance and shareholder rights matters.

Selected Speaking Engagements

Participated as a co-moderator on "The Science of Psychedelics: How Law & Science Support the Sector," Aird & Berlis LLP Virtual Industry Update Webinar, September 22, 2020.

Speaker, "Unpacking Cross-Border Cannabis Sector Class Action Risks," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, June 16, 2020.

Speaker, "The Rise of the Psychedelics Sector," Aird & Berlis LLP Virtual Industry Update Webinar, June 10, 2020.

Speaker, "The Cannabis Sector’s Public Policy Response to COVID-19: Canada, U.S. and International Impact," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, May 21, 2020.

Speaker, Mayer Brown's "All Things Canada Webinar", February 27, 2020.

Moderator, "Raising Capital: What Investors Are Looking For," Lift & Co. Cannabis Business Conference, January 8, 2020.

Speaker, “Current Challenges and Opportunities for M&A Activity in the Cannabis Industry,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, December 5, 2019.

Participating in the "International Cannabis Bar Association Webinar,"  November 21, 2019.

Speaker, "Capital Markets and Public Offerings," International Cannabis Bar Association, The Cannabis Law Institute, October 4, 2019.

Speaker, "Cross-Border Finance: Moving Money," International Cannabis Bar Association, The Cannabis Law Institute, October 3, 2019.

Speaker, "Important Issues the Cannabis Sector Needs to be Aware of in Canada and Around the World," Northwind’s Inaugural Cannabis Invitational Forum, September 25-27, 2019.

Moderator, "Cannabis Industry Update," Global Growth in the Cannabis Market Assembly & Mixer, September 5, 2019.

Speaker, "Going Public in Canada," Canadian Capital Markets Team Talk, July 16, 2019.

Speaker, "Can We Expect More Investments in the Cannabis Market?," World Cannabis Congress, June 18, 2019.

Speaker, "Access to Capital Markets in the United States and Canada," The Cannabis Law Sessions, MJBizConNEXT New Orleans, June 11, 2019.

Speaker, Closing Remarks, Lift Cannabis Business Conference," June 6, 2019.

Moderator, "How to Thrive in the Canadian Cannabis Retail Market," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, April 18, 2019.

Presenter, Luncheon Address, Laurentian Bank Securities Annual Institutional Investor Conference, April 4, 2019.

Speaker, “Going Public in Canada,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, February 6, 2019.

Moderator, “Business Growth Strategies: Collaborations, Partnerships, M&A’s,” LIFT Vancouver, January 11, 2019.

Speaker, "The Canadian Real Estate Industry: Soaring to New Heights," Aird & Berlis LLP Real Estate Webinar, October 31, 2018.

Participated as a co-presenter on “Oh Canada, Oh Cannabis, A Primer on Going Public in Canada” and “Financing & Investment” at the National Cannabis Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Institute conference, September 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Speaker, “Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions for Cannabis Businesses,” O’Cannabiz Business Conference and Expo, June 8, 2018.

Speaker, “Cannablitz: The Lightning Round” and “Passport to International Considerations,” MJBizConNEXT conference, National Cannabis Bar Association, May 9, 2018.

Speaker, “Myth-Busting the Cannabis Sector on International Cannabis Day,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, April 20, 2018.

Speaker, “Mergers and Acquisitions in the Canadian Cannabis Sector,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, March 21, 2018.

Speaker, "Investing in Cannabis 101: Seed Money and More," Lift Cannabis Business Conference, January 12, 2018.

Speaker, “Branding in the Cannabis Sector: Regulations, Restrictions and Tips on How to Market Your Brand,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, December 5, 2017.

Speaker, "Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions for Cannabis Businesses," Grow Up Cannabis Conference & Expo, October 6, 2017.

Speaker, "Introduction to Canadian Cannabis Law," Cannabis Law Institute presented by the National Cannabis Bar Association and co-sponsored by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado, July 29, 2017.   

Moderator and speaker, "Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions," Cannabis Law Institute presented by the National Cannabis Bar Association and co-sponsored by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado, July 29, 2017.         

Speaker, “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 6, 2017.

Speaker, Young Women in the Law Speed Mentoring Event, June 27, 2017.

Speaker, "Key Factors for a Successful IPO - What CEOs Need to Know Before Going Public," RBC Dominion Securities - The Network Exchange, June 27, 2017.

Speaker, "Law of the Land,” 2nd Annual Young Presidents’ Organization Cannabis Summit 420, April 2017.

Speaker, "Pay Equity and Women's Economic Empowerment," Aird & Berlis LLP Women in Business Webinar, November 2016.

Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 21, 2016.

Speaker, “Retaining Female Leaders,” Women in Leadership Conference, April 14, 2016.

Speaker, “Advanced Topics in the Law of Commercial Finance 2016,” The Commons Institute, February 26, 2016.

Course Leader and Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 7th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, February 17-18, 2016.

Speaker, “Networking & Developing Strategic Relationships,” 3rd Women & Leadership in the Legal Profession Conference, November 25, 2015.

Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 30, 2015.

Speaker, “Compliance with Regulatory Disclosure: Recent Developments,” 240 Minutes on Mining Law Conference, February 20, 2015.

Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 6th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 9, 2014.

Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings” 6th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 17 & 18, 2014.

Speaker, “Networking & Developing Strategic Relationships,” 2nd Women & Leadership in the Legal Profession Conference, November 26, 2014.

Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 17, 2014.

Speaker, “Building Successful Teams,” Leadership for Women Lawyers Conference: Making an Impact, April 24, 2014.

Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 5th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 10 & 11, 2013.

Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 10, 2013.

Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 4th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 5  & 6,  2012.

Speaker, “Nuts and Bolts of Closing Transactions,” August 21, 2012.

Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 11, 2012.

Speaker, “Managing the Due Diligence Process,” 3rd Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 1 & 2, 2011.

Co-chair and Speaker, “Managing the Due Diligence Process,” 2nd Corporate Transactions for Law Clerks, Federated Press, December 20 and 21, 2010.

Co-chair and Speaker, “Managing the Due Diligence Process,” Corporate Transactions for Law Clerks, Federated Press, December 14 and 15, 2009.

Selected Publications

“Canada's Psychedelic Future: A Guide to the Evolving Legal and Regulatory Landscape and What's Next” in Lexpert (May 2021).

"Deal Frenzy Has Bay Street Staffing Up, and Some Burning Out" in The Globe and Mail (April 2021).

"Legal and Regulatory Landscape for Psychedelics Companies Considering Going Public in Canada" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Capital Markets Newsletter (July 2020). 

"CSA Highlights Need for Financial Interest Disclosure in Cannabis-Related M&A Transactions and Expresses Corporate Governance Concerns of Cannabis Issuers" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (November 2019).

"Canadian Securities Exchange and OTC Markets Group Announce Strategic Alliance to Attract Foreign Issuers to North America" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (October 2017). 

"Supply Crunch in Canadian Marijuana Market" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Cannabis Newsletter (July 2017). 

"OSC Provides Guidance to Improve Forward-Looking Information Disclosure" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (August 2013).

"Toronto Stock Exchange Issues Guidance on Director Election and Disclosure Requirements"  in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (July 2013).

“TSX Venture Exchange Implements Amendments to Incentive Stock Option Policy” in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (May 2013).

“CSA Requests Further Comment Regarding Proposed National Instrument 51-103 For Venture Issuers” in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (October 2012).

“Private Placements - TSXV Temporary Relief Measures” in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (September 2012).

Insights

Publications Article Jul 08, 2020 Legal and Regulatory Landscape for Psychedelics Companies Considering “Going Public” in Canada
Publications Article Nov 19, 2019 CSA Highlights Need for Financial Interest Disclosure in Cannabis-Related M&A Transactions and Expresses Corporate Governance Concerns of Cannabis Issuers
Insights StartupSource Oct 03, 2018 Aird & Berlis Partners with Innovation Hub, ventureLAB
Publications Article Oct 26, 2017 Canadian Securities Exchange and OTC Markets Group Announce Strategic Alliance to Attract Foreign Issuers to North America
Publications Article Jul 11, 2017 Supply Crunch in Canadian Marijuana Market

Education

  • LLB, University of Windsor, 2004
  • BA (Hons., with Distinction), University of Western Ontario, 2000

Expertise

Industries