Department profile
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence

Canada Guide 2027 : Ontario

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Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

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About

Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Business leaders know the value of having a legal adviser on board through all stages of growth – a team committed to putting their strategies into action with a focus on the details. That’s what brings lasting success, and that’s what you can count on from our team.

Working closely with our corporate and entrepreneurial clients over time on their business issues significantly strengthens the advice we can give them – especially when transformational events unfold. Understanding your business and helping you build its infrastructure is what we do.

We provide comprehensive advice and formulate specific plans across a full range of general corporate and securities issues. From choosing the right business model to negotiating a strategic partnership or major contract, we work with you to create a sound foundation for any future strategic move.

When you need advice on important governance or high-stakes situations, we draw on our expertise across practices to shape the best plan. And we leverage our strong relations with government and regulatory agencies, as well as leading law firms in other jurisdictions, to extend our reach and help ensure a successful outcome.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence - Ontario

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto-based corporate team 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

Provided by Chambers

  • Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg acted for SunOpta in its USD1.1 billion acquisition by Refresco.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Davies offers top-notch lawyers with a broad range of experience. They are a highly intelligent and efficient team.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • The Davies team is highly experienced and smart. They provide excellent client service.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • I go to Davies for the most complex matters. The team is always timely and efficient.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • Davies offers strategic advice, deep sector experience and a high level of sophistication.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • The lawyers at Davies are incredibly commercially minded and zealous advocates who are particularly adept at educating and convincing opposing counsel.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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 recognised. She is well versed in handling transactions in the energy and mining spaces, among others.

    • Patricia Olasker is a titan in this field.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Patricia is very experienced and provides advice with a keen sense of commercial awareness.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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.
    • Vince has seen it all and provides invaluable legal and strategic advice.
      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Vincent Mercier is excellent in all aspects of the job. You can rely on his judgement.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Vincent is very active and highly sought after.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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 corporate matters, including reverse takeovers and corporate governance issues. His deal sheet includes work handled in the private equity and mining spaces.

    • Aaron Atkinson is an excellent and trusted adviser. He is responsive and creative, and he handles difficult situations with a sense of calm and ease.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Aaron provides strong strategic advice. He has seen it all and understands our business from both a legal and strategic perspective.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Aaron marries a wealth of sophisticated experience with a business-oriented, practical approach. He is a trusted adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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.

    • She is the senior partner, and her experience and knowledge are excellent. She brings years of experience and an understanding of complex situations; she is the go-to person there.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Melanie has deep sector knowledge and is highly strategic and commercial.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Melanie Shishler is a truly superb M&A and mining specialist. She is smart, experienced and calm in turbulent waters.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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 incredibly responsive and is a trusted adviser who is invested in our business.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Brett Seifred is a practical and pragmatic leader who gets deals done effectively. He is a trusted adviser.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Brett is an excellent lawyer who offers practical advice and is a true business partner.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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 client-focused, pragmatic and commercially savvy.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Richard Fridman is an excellent lawyer. He is highly responsive and easy to work with.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Richard stands out as smart and experienced, and he delivers excellent judgement on complex matters.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
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  • Ghaith Sibai
    Ghaith Sibai

    Ghaith Sibai

    Ghaith Sibai is a respected corporate lawyer specialising in public and private M&A, capital markets and securities, advising clients on complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

    • He is very sharp, takes the time to understand business concerns and provides strategic advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Ghaith is very sharp and responsive.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence 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.

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Ranked Individuals at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP (10)

Ontario

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