Mergers & Acquisitions
- Overview
- Who To Contact
- Representative Matters
- Recent Developments
The Aird & Berlis Mergers & Acquisitions Group provides sophisticated legal advice to Canadian and international companies, private equity and other types of funds, and their respective advisors, in all types of public and private M&A transactions that are focused on Canada or have a Canadian component. Our comprehensive knowledge of the Canadian M&A market has made us a go-to law firm for U.S. and international clients seeking Canadian legal counsel.
The Aird & Berlis M&A Group and individual members of our team have been recognized by leading global and domestic legal directories such as Chambers Global and Chambers Canada, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and included in The Globe and Mail's list of Canada's Best Law Firms. This hard-earned recognition only partly explains why our clients choose us. To earn the business of our clients, we draw heavily on our expertise in structuring and negotiating complex M&A transactions. Clients choose the Aird & Berlis M&A Group for our results-focused approach to negotiations and our ability – even when we are working with a client for the first time – to quickly incorporate key business objectives and specific industry conditions into transaction documents.
Our recent representative matters include:
- Advised Maritime Resources Corp. (TSXV: MAE) in all aspects of its acquisition of Point Rousse Mining Inc., owner of the Point Rousse Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador, including two concurrent financings, a memorandum of understanding with New Found Gold, and a financing and cooperation agreement with Shoreline Aggregates Inc.
- Advised Delta Consulting Group, an international consulting firm of multi-disciplined professionals in engineering, accounting, construction, program assessment and litigation support, in its acquisition of Froese Forensic Partners, a prominent independent financial investigative firm with offices in Toronto and Calgary.
- Represented Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) in connection with its acquisition of a substantial portion of Mobex Fourth and 1, LLC’s U.S.-based assets.
- Advised Juno Pharmaceuticals Corp., a leader in the commercialization of specialty pharmaceutical products, in its acquisition of Omega Laboratories, one of Canada’s largest domestic specialty injectable pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- Represented Small Pharma Inc. (TSXV: DMT) in the sale of all of its issued and outstanding securities to Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN).
- Represented a U.S. private equity firm that invests in technology, business services and industrial companies as Canadian counsel in its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of a Canadian-based cybersecurity firm and amendments to the fund’s term and asset-based credit arrangements.
- Represented a leading global transportation industry manufacturer and supplier as Canadian counsel in its purchase of certain assets of a cross-border privately-owned commercial vehicle, bus and trailer manufacturing business.
- Represented DataStealth Inc., a Toronto-based cybersecurity firm, in connection with its sale of control to Canadian tech entrepreneurs, Michael and Richard Hyatt.
- Represented a U.S. private equity firm as Canadian counsel in connection with its acquisition of a Canadian software company focused on streamlining operations and improving operational efficiency in the manufacturing industry.
We apply our Canadian expertise to every M&A transaction in which our firm is engaged. Our deep understanding of the Canadian M&A market lets us advise our domestic and international clients and their advisors on the particularities of the Canadian market, including with respect to cross-border transactions.
International clients and their advisors choose Aird & Berlis for the ease with which we integrate into their deal team and our ability to seamlessly execute the Canadian components of their transaction. Cross-border clients also value the contribution of our industry-leading Tax Group. Innovative Canadian tax structuring often plays a central role in the negotiation and execution of a successful M&A transaction, and our tax lawyers are internationally recognized by leading legal and tax publications, such as Chambers Global, Chambers Canada and Chambers High Net Worth, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Tax, Best Lawyers in Canada and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, for their creative M&A tax planning.
In addition to our tax lawyers, our full-service business law firm offers expertise in complementary domestically and globally recognized practice areas such as Financial Services (Banking & Finance and Insolvency & Restructuring), Capital Markets, Corporate/Commercial, Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment, Workplace Law, Real Estate and Environmental, as well as lawyers with deep experience in key Canadian industries. Our M&A lawyers are active members of the International Bar Association, and travel extensively to understand the needs of clients in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and worldwide.
We act for all participants in M&A transactions, including publicly-listed and privately-held buyers and sellers, private equity and other types of funds, debt and equity financiers, special committees of boards of directors, management-led buyout groups, activist stakeholders, merchant banks, investment bankers, and institutional and other investors. Our clients enjoy bespoke service at every stage of the transaction, including immediate access to our senior lawyers, all of whom are hands-on practitioners.
Our staffing model is unique for two reasons: first, our senior M&A lawyers are active participants and available to our clients in each transaction that involves them, which is not the case at all our peer firms; and second, our junior partners and associates are immersed in every transaction they work on, providing real value to our clients from the earliest stages of their careers.
Our M&A Group advises clients with respect to all types of public and private mergers and acquisitions, including:
- stock and asset purchases, including auctions and privately-negotiated transactions;
- mergers, amalgamations and plans of arrangement;
- going private transactions;
- special committee mandates;
- transactions with distressed companies or assets;
- takeovers (friendly and hostile) and activism matters;
- reverse takeovers; and
- leveraged buyouts and management buyouts.
The Aird & Berlis M&A Group’s extensive involvement in the Canadian market, along with the many strong relationships we have established with regulators, advisors and other key stakeholders, allows us to provide leading advice on M&A matters of all sizes and complexity.
Contacts
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BioFull bio
Richard is a creative and results-driven corporate finance lawyer. Both domestically and internationally, Richard brings his business knowledge to th...
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BioFull bio
With extensive experience in a broad range of corporate finance and commercial matters, Jeffrey offers clients a practical and business-minded approac...
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BioFull bio
Jennifer is Co-Chair of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group and founder and Co-Chair of the Sports, Media & Entertainment Group.
Group Members
Representative Matters
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Phillips Foods Acquires Assets of Canadian Seafood Processor and Distributor
On March 7, 2024, Phillips Foods Inc., a U.S.-based global processor and distributor of branded seafood products, announced that it will acquire the assets of South Shore Seafoods Group of Companies, ... -
Aird & Berlis Guides Sale of Ontario Print Signage Business for North American Multimedia Company
On February 29, 2024, a full-service multimedia sign manufacturing and installation company with operations across North America closed the sale of all of the assets underlying its Ontario-based print... -
Linamar Corporation Completes Acquisition of Bourgault Industries Ltd., Bolstering Its Leading Agriculture Business
Linamar Corporation completed its acquisition of Bourgault Industries Ltd. and its subsidiaries for C$640 million. -
Kuehne+Nagel Acquires Farrow, Expanding Customs Brokerage Presence in North America
On January 31, 2024, Kuehne+Nagel, a global logistics company headquartered in Switzerland, completed its acquisition of Farrow, a Canadian customs brokerage firm employing more than 800 employees in ... -
Linamar Completes Acquisition of Mobex Propulsion-Agnostic Business
On November 1, 2023, Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) ("Linamar") announced that it has completed its acquisition of a substantial portion of the U.S.-based assets of Mobex Fourth and 1, LLC and certain... -
Cybin Inc. Completes Acquisition of Small Pharma Inc.
On October 23, 2023, Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) and Small Pharma Inc. (TSXV: DMT) announced the completion of Cybin's acquisition of all of Small Pharma's issued and outstanding secu... -
Hyatt Brothers Purchase Control of DataStealth Inc.
On October 13, 2023, control of Toronto-based cybersecurity firm DataStealth Inc. was acquired by Canadian tech entrepreneurs, Michael and Richard Hyatt. -
Maritime Resources Corp. Acquires Point Rousse Mining Inc. and Completes Related Financings
Aird & Berlis represented Maritime Resources Corp. (TSXV: MAE) in all aspects of its acquisition of Point Rousse Mining Inc., owner of the Point Rousse Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador, in... -
ZoomerMedia Ltd. Acquires Titus/One Inc.
On September 14, 2023, ZoomerMedia Limited, a multimedia company devoted to creating content, services and experiences for Canada's most powerful audiences, announced its acquisition of digital market... -
Thesis Gold Merges With Benchmark Metals To Form Premier Precious Metals Project
Thesis’ Ranch Project consolidates with Benchmark’s Lawyers Project to form a district-scale development with significant growth potential.
Recent Developments
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Firm News
Aird & Berlis Named Excellence Awardee for 2024 Canadian Law Awards
Aird & Berlis is proud to be named as an Excellence Awardee for the 2024 Canadian Law Awards in the Mid-Market Deal of the Year and Diversity Initiative of the Year categories. -
Article
Know the Limit, Play Within It: Restrictive Covenants in Canada
In this article, we describe what non-competition and non-solicitation provisions are, provide an overview of the nuances between such restrictions in these two separate contexts, and discuss “reasona... -
Article
How ESG Considerations Can Impact and Create Value in M&A Transactions
In this article, we set out the specific impacts that ESG considerations have on the entire M&A process in the public and private market context. -
Article
Anti-Assignment Provisions and Assignments by ‘Operation of Law’: What Do I Have to Do? What Should I Do?
This article examines what anti-assignment provisions are and how to approach them, depending on the situation at hand, including in the context of transactions where a change of control event may be ... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 62 partners at the firm as leading lawyers across 37 different practice areas. Aird & Berlis was also recognized at the firm level across 16 differe... -
News Item
Jennifer Bishop Recognized by Women of Influence
Congratulations to Jennifer Bishop who was selected as part of the 2024 Top 25 Women of Influence by Women of Influence+. -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Welcomes New Partners Yosef Adler, Ryan Ghuman and Queenie Lo
We are pleased to announce that Yosef Adler, Ryan Ghuman and Queenie Lo have joined the firm as partners and members of our Corporate/Commercial Group. -
Firm News
Jennifer Bishop and Francesco Gucciardo Appointed to IBA Leadership Roles
Jennifer has been appointed Chair of the Women Lawyers' Committee. This committee offers a forum for its members from all over the world to engage, network and share knowledge of topics of global sign... -
Article
Knowledge Is Power … or Is It? Knowledge’s Impact on ‘Sandbagging’ in Canadian M&A Transactions
This article sets out some of the key Canadian-specific practices purchasers and advisors need to be aware of when it comes to sandbagging in the context of private M&A transactions involving Canadian... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in The Legal 500 Canada 2024
Aird & Berlis is proud to be recognized by The Legal 500 Canada as a leading firm across 12 different practice areas. -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Named One of Canada’s Best Law Firms 2024 by The Globe and Mail
Aird & Berlis is pleased to announce its inclusion in The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Best Law Firms 2024 list. For a third year, The Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine partnered with Statista... -
Article
Equity Rollovers in Inbound Canadian Cross-Border M&A
This article provides an overview of typical exchangeable share structures implemented in cross-border M&A transactions involving a private Canadian target corporation, the characteristics of the exch... -
Article
What’s Market in Canadian Public Target M&A: Key Trends and Insights From the ABA Deal Points Study
From buyer profiles and industry trends to key commercial terms, this article examines critical deal points that shaped the public Canadian M&A deal landscape during the period covered by the most rec... -
Firm News
91 Aird & Berlis Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024
Aird & Berlis is proud to announce that 91 members of the firm were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada. The firm is recognized across 44 practice ... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 51 partners at the firm as leading lawyers across 33 different practice areas. Aird & Berlis was also recognized at the firm level across 15 differe... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Named One of Canada’s Best Law Firms 2023 by The Globe and Mail
Aird & Berlis is pleased to announce its inclusion in The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Best Law Firms 2023 list. For a second year, The Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine partnered with Statist...