Department profile
Norton Rose Fulbright

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence

Canada Guide 2027 : Ontario


Norton Rose Fulbright

Rankings

About

Provided by Norton Rose Fulbright

Our corporate and commercial practice group supports our clients through each stage of their corporate growth by providing experience and pragmatic advice on both day-to-day business issues and long-term strategic initiatives, including the establishment of a new business, acquisitions, financing, strategic alliances, outsourcing, joint ventures and other critical endeavours.

Our technical and deep industry knowledge, and corporate and commercial acumen is relied upon and valued by our clients.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence - Ontario

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Norton Rose Fulbright operates a robust corporate practice in Toronto and Ottawa, with an especially high profile for its experience of proxy contests and other hostile and distressed transactions. The firm also handles going-private matters, recapitalisation transactions and joint venture arrangements. The practice often advises on national and international transactions, leveraging the expertise of its counterparts across the country and worldwide. Its client roster features a variety of companies, boards of directors and private equity investors straddling a broad range of sectors, including mining and energy, infrastructure, technology and cannabis.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Norton Rose Fulbright advised Parkland on its USD9.1 billion sale to Sunoco.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are creative and give sound judgement. They're a big, prominent law firm, but the style and judgement they give us is very personal.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Their technical proficiency is unmatched. They bring an exceptional depth of legal knowledge, combined with sharp, sophisticated strategic thinking that I have not encountered elsewhere. What sets them apart is not only their command of the law, but their ability to translate complex legal considerations into clear, decisive strategy.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • The biggest strength for them is that the more complicated the deal, the better. They thrive in complex M&A environments.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Their capabilities extend well beyond traditional corporate and commercial work. They pair their strength in this area with equally deep bench strength in areas which are directly relevant to our business.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Orestes Pasparakis
    Band 1Orestes Pasparakis

    Orestes Pasparakis

    Orestes Pasparakis is co-chair of McCarthy Tétrault’s Canadian special situations team, advising clients on high-stakes shareholder activism matters, securities litigation and complex corporate disputes.

    • Orestes is an exceptional litigator and strategic adviser. He brings outstanding judgement, discipline and tactical sophistication to complex disputes, and he is highly effective at managing sensitive, high-stakes matters.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Orestes is great at challenging the status quo and coming up with solutions.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Orestes is very adept at thinking in the moment. The counterpoints he comes up with are impressive, and he thinks outside the box.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Orestes Pasparakis is a highly intelligent and strategic litigator who works diligently to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients. He takes the time to fully understand the nuances, underlying dynamics and broader context of each matter.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Orestes Pasparakis is a litigator who stands out for the depth of his expertise.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Band 1Walied Soliman
    Band 1Walied Soliman

    Walied Soliman

    Walied Soliman has a wealth of experience handling M&A and securities transactions, as well as wider securities and governance concerns. He serves as Norton Rose Fulbright's Canadian chair and the co-founder of its special situations team.

    • Walied is an exceptional lawyer, distinguished not only by his legal acumen but also by his extraordinary leadership skills with his team and clients.
      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Walied Soliman is able to articulate the big picture and communicate effectively with the board and senior leadership team quickly and succinctly.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Walied Soliman is distinguished by an exceptional combination of legal judgement, strategic insight, market credibility and practical, commercial advice. He is an absolutely brilliant lawyer with a top-tier analytical and strategic mind, and he brings a level of experience and judgement that is difficult to replicate.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Walied is an exceptional lawyer and trusted strategic adviser. He brings outstanding judgement, technical expertise and commercial sophistication to every matter he handles.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Band 2Heidi Reinhart
    Band 2Heidi Reinhart

    Heidi Reinhart

    Heidi Reinhart is a partner in the firm’s corporate and securities group and a founding member of its special situations team, advising clients on shareholder activism, corporate governance, takeover bids and complex M&A transactions.

    • Heidi excels at balancing intricate legal issues with commercial realities and priorities, approaching challenges with keen commercial awareness and practical solutions.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • She is calm, practical and intelligent.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Heidi is a phenomenal lawyer with a great deal of technical expertise.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • I trust Heidi's advice. She is thoughtful and deliberate, with a quiet confidence.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Heidi Reinhart is an exceptionally talented lawyer.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Band 3Evelyn Li
    Band 3Evelyn Li

    Evelyn Li

    Evelyn Li is a corporate, M&A and securities law partner and a member of the firm’s special situations team, advising boards, management teams and investors on shareholder activism matters, proxy contests, takeover bids and other strategic transactions.

    • Evelyn Li is extraordinarily talented and great with clients.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Evelyn is incredibly detail-oriented and is a good quarterback for files.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Evelyn Li is always ten steps ahead, she is technically very strong and, from a customer service standpoint, she is very effective.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Evelyn is excellent. She is easy to work with, extremely knowledgeable and works diligently.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Band 3Trevor Zeyl
    Band 3Trevor Zeyl

    Trevor Zeyl

    Trevor Zeyl is a corporate and securities law partner who advises boards, special committees and management teams on shareholder activism matters, proxy contests, strategic reviews and complex M&A transactions.

    • Trevor Zeyl has very in-depth knowledge of shareholder activism. He is invaluable, incredibly available and proactive, coming up with great suggestions rather than just reacting.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Trevor is a very strong negotiator and has deep subject matter expertise in M&A transactions.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Trevor is an exceptional lawyer and strategic adviser. He brings a high degree of technical expertise, sound judgement and commercial awareness.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • He has a great way with the client and doesn’t get flustered. He knows the space.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Band 5Bruce Sheiner
    Band 5Bruce Sheiner

    Bruce Sheiner

    Bruce Sheiner is a securities and corporate law partner who advises corporate, private equity and banking clients on public and private M&A transactions, corporate finance matters and complex corporate restructurings.

    • Bruce Sheiner's biggest strength is his negotiation skills on complex M&A and in getting results for the client.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Bruce Sheiner brings a commercial awareness to transactions, together with his substantial legal expertise, making him highly sought after on complex transactions.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Bruce is very knowledgeable and very much willing to fight your corner.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Bruce is an excellent, client-focused and business-minded lawyer. Not only is he technically extremely strong, he is also able to take in a high amount of information and synthesise it in a succinct and easily digestible manner.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Bruce is a uniquely quick and capable M&A lawyer who is able to respond on his feet in highly complex deals.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingNader Hasan
    Up and ComingNader Hasan

    Nader Hasan

    Nader Hasan is a partner in the firm's Toronto office and focuses his growing practice on securities and corporate law in a variety of industries.

    • Nader is an exceptional lawyer who understands the decision-making environment that in-house lawyers operate in. He gives practical and commercially grounded guidance that facilitates risk assessment and decisiveness.
      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Nader provides exceptional client service and is a trusted adviser. He is always accessible, responsive and proactive in identifying issues and providing practical guidance.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Nader Hasan combines strong technical legal ability with excellent commercial judgement, responsiveness and a practical understanding of what clients need in fast-moving situations.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Nader’s ability to distil complexity and make time to talk through difficulties makes him uniquely gifted at coordinating intricate legal situations.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Nader Hasan is a well-rounded and skilled lawyer.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingSam Zadeh
    Up and ComingSam Zadeh

    Sam Zadeh

    Sam Zadeh acts out of Norton Rose Fulbright's Toronto office. He assists with corporate transactions and capital markets deals.

    • Sam's institutional knowledge is invaluable.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    • Sam consistently manages complex, often cross-border matters with strong commercial awareness and pragmatism. He is always accessible and we always feel we are a top priority for him.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Norton Rose Fulbright (11)

Ontario

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