Department profile
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Corporate/Commercial

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario

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Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

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Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP



Chambers Review

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Corporate/Commercial - Ontario

What the Team is Known For
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto-based corporate team is offers sophisticated strategic advice on high-level public and private M&A, as well as other matters including corporate governance and shareholder activism. The law firm's corporate department maintains a strong focus on inbound transactions and offers significant experience in relation to unsolicited takeovers, as well as advising on various debt and equity financing matters. The team has a strong track record of advising on transformative cross-border deals; its wide industry experience encompasses mining and energy, technology, financial services and healthcare. The firm's clients range from bidders and investors to target boards.
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Work Highlights

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  • Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg acted for Rogers Communications in its CAD4.7 billion acquisition of BCE's ownership stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We regard Davies as the best corporate/M&A firm in Canada. A consistently high quality bench strength is a key attribute.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

  • Davies thrive on complexity and their commitment to client service is unparalleled.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

  • The firm has a deep legal bench and thinks about various angles.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

  • The team's service levels are never in doubt. Davies will always be there at the most challenging time.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

  • The Davies team is excellent and has become our go-to firm in Canada. They are particularly strong at understanding our business objectives and crafting thoughtful, pragmatic solutions.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Patricia L Olasker
    Patricia L Olasker

    Patricia L Olasker

    Patricia Olasker is a deeply experienced lawyer whose expertise in high-value M&A transactions, proxy contests and corporate governance is widely applauded. Based in Toronto, she is well versed in handling transactions in the energy and mining spaces, among others.

    • She is a legendary lawyer.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Patricia is a leading figure in her field of expertise. She exudes knowledge.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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  • Vincent A. Mercier
    Vincent A. Mercier

    Vincent A. Mercier

    Toronto-based Vincent Mercier wins praise for his deep expertise advising high-end clients on M&A and corporate governance matters. He is a regular feature on the firm's most important deals.

    • He is the very best M&A lawyer in Canada.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Vince is fantastic. He understands the client's needs and can field a multidisciplinary team.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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  • Melanie Shishler
    Melanie Shishler

    Melanie Shishler

    Toronto-based Melanie Shishler is highlighted for her representation of clients within the mining sector in M&A, joint ventures and corporate governance transactions.

    • Melanie is highly experienced.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Melanie is superb in every respect.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Her level of timely responsiveness is second to none. She is also very proactive in bringing in additional resources as needed.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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  • Aaron J Atkinson
    Aaron J Atkinson

    Aaron J Atkinson

    Toronto-based Aaron Atkinson has notable experience advising clients on a variety of matters, from transactions to reverse takeovers and corporate governance issues. His deal sheet includes work handled in the private equity and mining spaces.

    • Aaron is an excellent lead partner and a trusted adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • He is a fantastic technical lawyer.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Aaron is a very reliable and responsive lawyer. He is great at tackling issues and analysing the potential outcomes.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • He is a great advocate and adviser with outstanding transaction experience.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Aaron is a pleasure to work with and has assembled a strong team of junior partners and associates to provide various service levels based on our needs. He is highly responsive and agile.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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  • Brett Seifred
    Brett Seifred

    Brett Seifred

    Toronto-based Brett Seifred has experience in corporate matters and transactions involving a range of sectors, including manufacturing and financial services.

    • Brett is an exceptional lawyer. He effectively leads deals and is very thoughtful, engaged and pragmatic.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Brett offers excellent client service, is very intelligent and has an ability to adapt to any situation. He is very practical in his advice and able to get messages across.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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  • Richard Fridman
    Richard Fridman

    Richard Fridman

    Richard Fridman has a burgeoning practice advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, with his expertise in the mining sector garnering particular praise.

    • Richard is very good at delivering practical anecdotes to what he has seen happen elsewhere.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Richard is an excellent lawyer. He is extremely timely on every matter, without fail.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Richard is the complete business lawyer. He excels on complex transactions, has superb business acumen and is strong on relationships.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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  • Jonas Farovitch
    Jonas Farovitch

    Jonas Farovitch

    Jonas Farovitch assists on a range of corporate transactions, including significant cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

    • He understands who and what we are talking about quickly and is contributing as well. He has integrated into the role well and will continue to do so.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada

    • Jonas is outstanding. He is responsive, commercially-minded and practical in his approach.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP (7)

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