Department profile

Corporate/M&A

Global Guide 2026 : Canada

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Business leaders running transformational deals – or smaller strategic ones – want a winning path to the finish line. When faced with hostile situations, they expect no less. Our focus is always on getting the deal done as we tackle issues and create strategies that simply work.

Public or private, buy or sell, we excel at the most business-critical transactions with a precise combination of creativity and practicality – meaning that our clients get the best possible business terms on the tightest closing schedules. Whether large, small or multijurisdictional, complex transactions require a firm grasp of a wide range of sophisticated issues. All demand the same level of rigour and depth of experience. Which is why we take a lean, cross-practice team approach, helping you achieve the best results, whether you’re a publicly traded company, a private equity firm or an ambitious entrepreneur.

We use our deal fluency and track record for trailblazing to get the deal done. Clients such as Burger King, in its groundbreaking US$12.5-billion acquisition of Tim Hortons, Fortis, in its US$11.3-billion transformative acquisition of ITC, and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., in its US$4.4-billion acquisition of CST Brands Inc., rely on us to achieve their strategic goals.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg is a Toronto and Montréal-based law firm with significant international M&A capabilities. The team wins widespread recognition for its involvement in complex and high-value matters, with industry-specific expertise in the life sciences, telecommunications, mining, retail and real estate sectors, among others. The team advises sophisticated clients on strategic transactions and often counsels investment banks on deals in the energy space, as well as representing various other multinational companies. The team stands out for its experience of hostile M&A and shareholder activism, and is well supported by the experience of complementary departments including tax and antitrust.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

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

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/M&A respondentGlobal
We regard Davies as the best corporate/M&A firm in Canada. A consistently high quality bench strength is a key attribute.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
The team's service levels are never in doubt. Davies will always be there at the most challenging time.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
The team at Davies is pragmatic, solutions-oriented and has an excellent feel for the intangibles of a deal.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Davies has a highly commercial approach, as well as deep knowledge of their clients.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
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/M&A respondentGlobal
Patricia is a leading figure in her field of expertise. She exudes knowledge.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 1
Band 1
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 is fantastic. He understands the client's needs and can field a multidisciplinary team.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
He is the very best M&A lawyer in Canada.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Franziska Ruf
Montréal-based Franziska Ruf is recognised for her work on high-end M&A as well as for offering further capabilities in advising on joint ventures and capital markets transactions.
Franziska has very good corporate knowledge and provides good advice.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Franziska provides a superior level of service.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Franziska is practical and pragmatic.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
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.
Her level of timely responsiveness is second to none. She is also very proactive in bringing in additional resources as needed.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Melanie is highly experienced.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Melanie is superb in every respect.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Patrick Barry
Toronto-based Patrick Barry has notable experience assisting clients with strategic M&A transactions, in addition to private equity buyouts and fund formation.
Patrick Barry is a very smart and pragmatic lawyer, who is goal-oriented.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Patrick Barry is very reliable and quick to respond.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Patrick Barry's legal skills are unparalleled and are matched by his business acumen.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
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 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/M&A respondentGlobal
He is a fantastic technical lawyer.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
He is a great advocate and adviser with outstanding transaction experience.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Aaron is a very reliable and responsive lawyer. He is great at tackling issues and analysing the potential outcomes.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Aaron is an excellent lead partner and a trusted adviser.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Cameron M Rusaw
Cameron Rusaw is a highly respected lawyer in the Toronto market who is frequently to be seen advising asset managers and their portfolio companies on a variety of significant Canadian acquisitions.
Cameron Rusaw is dedicated, knowledgeable and reliable.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Cameron is incredible to work with; he makes everything seem so easy.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Cameron is worth his weight in gold. He is very practical and very business-minded.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Justin D. Vineberg
Justin Vineberg's practice sees him advise clients within the retail and tech sectors on M&A, equity financing, and broader corporate work.
Justin Vineberg is outstanding, responsive and organised.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Justin is exceptionally smart and to the point.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
His ability to break down complex problems and develop clear, effective solutions is truly unmatched.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Kevin Greenspoon
Kevin Greenspoon is a rising star with a wealth of experience acting for leading US private equity firms on buyout transactions. He is based in Toronto.
Kevin is very strong across the board.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Kevin Greenspoon is responsive, thoughtful in his analysis and knows what's important to us as a client.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Kevin is a pleasure to work with and is a trusted advisor.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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