Department profile

Corporate/M&A

Global Guide 2026 : Canada

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Mergers and acquisitions transactions, whether large or small, have inherent complexities that need to be clearly understood and properly addressed. Experienced legal counsel is essential on all M&A transactions and for all clients, ranging from local start-ups to global conglomerates. With decades of experience advising successfully on M&A transactions, Osler can be trusted to provide clients with the right level of legal advice required to lead a successful deal, for several reasons including their involvement in a high volume and range of transactions, their breadth and depth of related expertise, their client focus and their U.S./cross-border legal services.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt has an integrated practice with a strong pedigree in major M&A deals. The firm has offices in key financial centres across Canada and is well-placed to feature strongly on market-leading transactions. The team's impressive deal sheet comprises significant power, mining and oil and gas matters, as well as real estate and financial services sector transactions. The group is highly regarded for its technology and emerging company work, with a strong reputation for work on venture capital mandates. The team is also cited for its representation of large private equity sponsors and Canadian issuers in high-profile public offerings. The team can frequently be found representing Canadian clients with significant international operations as well as inbound deal flows.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt advised BC Partners on its divestiture of a majority stake in GardaWorld Security Corporation, culminating in a transaction valued at CAD13.5 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Osler offers exceptional deal execution capabilities, combined with a deep bench of practitioners. They have a solutions-focused approach that aligns legal strategy with clients’ business goals.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
I have every confidence that the depth of Osler's bench allows them to deal with the most complex questions.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
The strengths of this firm includes good judgement coming from extensive experience and subject matter expertise. The Osler team is very responsive in communication and timely in work.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Osler's expertise in navigating the complexities of acquisitions ensures that their advice is both effective and strategically aligned with our business goals.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
The team's strategic approach and ability to be collaborative throughout the entire process stands out.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
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.
Douglas is an excellent managing partner, with a client focus and he empowers team members.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 1
Band 1
Emmanuel Pressman
Co-chair of the firm's corporate department in Toronto, 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 is the best!
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Manny's technical knowledge, thorough and practical approach is exceptional. He is always accessible and we always feel that we are a top priority for him.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Manny is one of the most senior lawyers at Oslers, yet is as attentive and responsive as anyone. His judgement is impeccable and attention to each and every matter is extremely impressive.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
He has deep institutional knowledge of our company, as well as deep technical knowledge. He provides sound, practical advice every time we need him.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Manny is one of my favourite lawyers and is excellent at everything he does.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 1
Band 1
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.
He is excellent in every way.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Jeremy is an awesome individual and has excellent skills.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Jeremy is very commercial, service-oriented and highly creative.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Andrea Whyte
Andrea Whyte is well equipped to advise clients on a variety of M&A and other corporate transactions. She routinely acts for clients in the mining and energy spaces.
Andrea is a very experienced transactional lawyer.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Andrea is one of the most technical lawyers in the market.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
She is fantastic in all aspects.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
She is extremely bright and a good lawyer.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Bradley A. Newby
Bradley Newby is one of the most highly regarded business lawyers in Vancouver. He is widely acclaimed for his experience in both M&A and financing transactions.
Brad is an excellent lawyer with deep industry experience. He provides excellent advice and understands our business well.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
He understands issues from both a legal and a commercial point of view. His client service is outstanding.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
He is awesome and super commercial. Brad has a strong ability to understand both the law and the business side.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Brad has considerable knowledge, speed and accuracy.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is a highly respected figure in the Calgary corporate market, with a longstanding reputation for his handling of corporate finance and M&A transactions.
Frank is an extremely strong adviser.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Frank is one of the best transactional attorneys we have worked with from a technical standpoint and the best attorney we've worked with in terms of communication.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
I would literally trust Frank with my life, he is that good.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Shahir Guindi, Ad E
Shahir Guindi is based in Montréal. He has a premier practice that includes advising on private equity and venture capital matters, as well as on mergers and acquisitions.
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Band 4
Band 4
John W Groenewegen
Toronto-based John Groenewegen is a regular adviser to Canadian private equity houses on transactional matters of all sizes.
John Groenewegen is a good lawyer.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
John is extremely well versed in navigating complicated partnership structures, gives really good advice and is extremely conscientious.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Trevor Scott
Trevor Scott is noted for his considerable experience representing public and private companies in M&A and debt financing transactions. He represents a range of clients, including First Nations organisations as well as companies in Canada's cannabis sector.
We rely on him for practical advice and subject matter expertise.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Trevor is very wise. He has deep experience of the matter at hand and in general business and commercial affairs.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
Trevor is proactive and thoughtful in his communication and we appreciate working with him.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
He is the best lawyer I have ever used. Trevor keeps technical speak to the appropriate level of the audience.
Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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