Corporate/Commercial: The Elite
Canada Guide 2025 : Ontario
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 979 2211About
Provided by Goodmans LLP
Goodmans Corporate and Commercial Group is the largest in the firm; bringing together business law and transactional work, with all the strategic entrepreneurial flair for which we are known.
In many ways, our business law capabilities are the very traits that make our transactional services so successful. By helping companies formulate and implement their business strategies, we are able to cultivate a profound understanding of the clients long-term objectives.
A large number of our business law clients have been with the firm since their businesses began – some of them upwards of 30 years. Even now, with clients among the world’s largest multinationals, we honour our roots, and advise start-ups and small businesses with equal passion.
Clients call upon Goodmans when a complex transaction needs to be pulled together with skill and finesse because of our recognized skill in every significant area of corporate and commercial law.
Our business law team is unique in its celebration of time-honoured, seasoned generalists – an increasingly rare breed at many firms, but the kind of advisor that more and more clients crave. We have always embraced the client relationship model – offering a trustworthy business partner to resolve complex issues, provide strategic advice, and ensure the client is happy with every level of service across the firm.
Chambers Review
Goodmans is an eminent Toronto M&A firm with a notable profile in the REITs space and deep experience across various other industry sectors including mining and telecoms, healthcare, senior care, energy and financial services. In addition to high-end merger work, the firm has strong securities and private equity expertise, including experience of SPACs. It also advises on matters of corporate governance and shareholder activism. The team is frequently involved in multi-jurisdictional matters, including major inbound deals. It also benefits from the firm's leading expertise in corporate restructuring and is increasingly noted for its work in the cannabis space.
Work Highlights
- The team at Goodmans LLP acted for 9 Story Media Inc and its investor, ZMC, in the sale of 9 Story to Scholastic Corp, with the transaction valued at C$250 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Goodmans have excellent subject matter expertise and actionable strategy and advice. They give deep confidence of their ability to capably handle complex and sophisticated matters."
"Goodmans always had the specialised expertise to meet every need.I couldn't have been more impressed with their work and ability to navigate very challenging matters."
"The amount of resources Goodmans provided on all work was tremendous and all personnel were excellent.It didn't matter how unrealistic the deadlines were - they met them."
"The Corporate/Commercial team at Goodmans make it seem as though we are their only client. They are our go-to external corporate-commercial counsel."
"Goodmans LLP has top-notch lawyers who are always accessible and have good insight and recommendations when dealing with complex matters."
"Goodmans have excellent subject matter expertise and actionable strategy and advice. They give deep confidence of their ability to capably handle complex and sophisticated matters."
"Goodmans always had the specialised expertise to meet every need.I couldn't have been more impressed with their work and ability to navigate very challenging matters."
"The amount of resources Goodmans provided on all work was tremendous and all personnel were excellent.It didn't matter how unrealistic the deadlines were - they met them."
"The Corporate/Commercial team at Goodmans make it seem as though we are their only client. They are our go-to external corporate-commercial counsel."
"Goodmans LLP has top-notch lawyers who are always accessible and have good insight and recommendations when dealing with complex matters."
Notable Practitioners
Neill May has a wealth of experience handling M&A and corporate finance matters. Based in Toronto, he advises on transactions across a broad range of industries, including mining and private equity.
"Neill is one of the smartest individuals we've ever come across. We bring him our most complex matters."
Robert Vaux is noted for his experienced handling of M&A and corporate governance matters arising from the cannabis and pharmaceutical sectors. He co-chairs the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions Group.
"Robert Vaux is a pair of safe hands, whose excellent client bedside manner guides you through challenging files."
Stephen Pincus heads the firm's capital markets group. Based in Toronto, he regularly advises a broad range of clients on M&A and securities matters, including REIT transactions.
"Stephen was always available to step in on complex matters that required difficult judgement calls. I couldn't have been more impressed."
Toronto-based Chris Sunstrum is noted for his representation of clients from a variety of industries including mining and energy. His practice includes advising on corporate governance and M&A and private equity transactions.
"Chris is an exceptional lawyer who can quickly identify the central issues in any legal setting. A tireless worker, Chris is a skilled communicator, advocate and an invaluable asset to our business."
"Chris Sunstrum was extremely knowledgeable and very responsive. I would highly recommend him."
"One of the very best M&A lawyers in Canada."
"Chris is an excellent lawyer providing strong commercial and transaction advice. He has a strong work ethic."
Toronto-based Jonathan Feldman is an active corporate lawyer whose practice demonstrates capabilities across both M&A and REIT transactions.
"Jonathan Feldman is a very strong corporate lawyer."
Michelle Vigod co-leads the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions Group, where she has a strong practice advising both public and private companies on a range of corporate matters, including acquisitions and divestitures.
"Michelle has great commercial awareness and the ability to solve complex problems in an efficient and commercial manner."
"Michelle Vigod is very smart - she is a problem solver and a first-class individual."
"Michelle delivers excellent service."
Neil Sheehy is a key part of the team at Goodmans LLP, where he is well placed to advise international and domestic clients on M&A and private equity transactions.
"Neil Sheehy provides excellent legal service for our corporate needs."
Ranked Lawyers at
Goodmans LLP
Ontario
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