Department profile
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence

Canada Guide 2027 : Ontario

Share profile

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

The Osler Corporate/M&A practice perennially includes a substantial number of the nation's largest and most innovative deals. Their consecutive #1 league table rankings year over year for the past five years demonstrate the full participation in M&A (both large-cap and mid-market deals, for clients ranging from entrepreneurs to institutions and emerging companies to global conglomerates) and equity, venture and debt capital markets (including IPOs, SPACs, RTOs, CPCs).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence - Ontario

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is a regular feature on market-leading Canadian deals, with an elite Toronto-based corporate department acting alongside partners based nationwide. The firm's extensive deal sheet includes sophisticated M&A and capital markets transactions, acting for both issuers and dealers, as well as high-profile private equity deals. The group stands out for its representation of major Ontario-based clients, as well as its emerging companies practice. The practice is well regarded for its industry-specific experience, with extensive expertise in the financial services, mining, and oil and gas sectors. The legal team advises clients ranging from financial institutions and pension plans to startups in the tech and life sciences sectors. The law firm has also recently been active advising clients on their strategic investments into the cannabis space.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt advised IDJCo, a management‑led investment vehicle controlled by the founders and senior leadership of Boat Rocker Media, on the carve‑out and acquisition of Boat Rocker Studios as part of Blue Ant Media’s reverse takeover of Boat Rocker.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Osler has such a strong roster of experts in each subject matter area so we know that if complexities come up, the team will have someone to work on it.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • Osler keeps us constantly informed and provides solutions and recommendations in a timely manner. They are exceptional in terms of both depth and breadth.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • The Osler team's commercial understanding as well as their ability to anticipate our approach and way of thinking is fantastic.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • Osler is incredibly thoughtful and knowledgeable, as well as practical, with a wonderful bench of talented lawyers.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

  • We have a lot of confidence in Osler's expertise and abilities.

    Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Douglas A Bryce
    Douglas A Bryce

    Douglas A Bryce

    Douglas Bryce is the national managing partner of the firm and enjoys a prominent reputation both in Ontario and beyond. He has a wealth of experience across a wide range of M&A and private equity matters.
    View profile
  • Emmanuel Pressman
    Emmanuel Pressman

    Emmanuel Pressman

    Emmanuel Pressman enjoys a stellar reputation and concentrates his practice on the representation of high-end clients in M&A and private equity matters.

    • He really understands the market. He is highly effective and gives good, business-oriented legal advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Emmanuel always gives good advice and he is really thoughtful on complex M&A.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Manny Pressman is a seasoned pro and is well versed in all significant M&A issues.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    View profile
  • Jeremy Fraiberg
    Jeremy Fraiberg

    Jeremy Fraiberg

    Toronto-based Jeremy Fraiberg serves as co-chair of the firm's M&A group and advises clients across the energy, mining and banking industries, among others.

    • Jeremy is clearly a master in his field with the ability to simplify complex matters.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    View profile
  • John Valley
    John Valley

    John Valley

    John Valley is chair of Osler’s corporate governance practice, advising public and private companies on corporate governance, securities law and risk management matters.

    • John's knowledge and decisiveness in providing guidance in constantly evolving areas stand out.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • John brings great energy. He is a trusted adviser and understands the broader strategic context.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • John has a collaborative nature and is highly innovative. His desire to drive the best solution for the client is extremely strong.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    View profile
  • (Ricco) A.S. Bhasin
    (Ricco) A.S. Bhasin

    (Ricco) A.S. Bhasin

    Ricco Bhasin is increasingly visible in the Toronto market. He advises clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters.

    • Ricco is an exceptionally strong commercial lawyer who has become a trusted partner. He keeps on top of the trends and is particularly able to take a complex issue and translate it into clear, actionable advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Ricco is exceptional at client management, has the ability to see around corners and gets us thinking about issues before they arise.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Ricco is extremely responsive. He demonstrates a calm sophistication in his advice and approach to complex issues.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Ricco's advice goes beyond the legal aspects and he is often able to deliver strategic business advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Ricco's advice is practical and commercially minded. He has a high degree of knowledge.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    View profile
  • Alex Gorka
    Alex Gorka

    Alex Gorka

    Alex Gorka frequently handles sophisticated corporate matters for both public and private companies. He assists with significant transactions in varied industry sectors, including media, technology and retail.

    • Alex Gorka is very constructive. He was excellent in negotiations and it was a joy working with him.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex is responsive and gives very good commercial advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex is a highly strategic thinker, so when things get very complex, having him to bounce ideas off of really helps us move deals forward.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • Alex is great at what he does.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    View profile
  • James Brown
    James Brown

    James Brown

    James Brown is based in Toronto and is noted for his adept handling of both corporate and commercial mandates. He is particularly active in transactions in the mining sector, regularly leading high-value deals.

    • James Brown takes complex legal issues, distils them down and presents them to non-legal clients extremely well.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • James Brown is very client outcome oriented.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada

    • James's advice is thoughtful, proactive and practical, and he makes an effort to understand the company and the industry before giving advice.

      Corporate/Commercial: Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defence respondentCanada
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (7)

Ontario

Members

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership