Department profile
Stikeman Elliott LLP

Corporate/Commercial: The Elite

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario

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Stikeman Elliott LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial: The Elite - Ontario

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Stikeman Elliott is a national M&A powerhouse with a distinguished corporate and commercial base in Ontario. The law firm has a strong tradition of public M&A and is well equipped to advise on the regulatory aspects of market-leading deals. The Toronto corporate group also boasts a strong track record of private equity deals and capital markets transactions, particularly equity IPOs, across numerous industry sectors including tech and fintech, resources, cannabis and retail.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Stikeman Elliott acted as counsel to the special committee of the board of directors of Stelco Holdings in relation to its acquisition by Cleveland-Cliffs of all of the issued and outstanding common shares.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm has deep expertise in the field, combined with practical advice and responsiveness.

    Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

  • The team is a strong core of highly experienced lawyers supported by talented junior partners.

    Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

  • Stikeman Elliott is a top-notch M&A firm. They have seen it all and have the experience. When you have something unique and complex, they are the one.

    Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

  • Stikeman Elliott works well under pressure and is able to distill complex negotiation points in a business-friendly manner.

    Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

  • Stikeman Elliott is very practical and pragmatic, with a business-first focus. They have strong communication skills and a constructive approach with the other side and their advisers.

    Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • William J Braithwaite
    William J Braithwaite

    William J Braithwaite

    William Braithwaite offers a vast wealth of experience to clients in the corporate arena. He advises on both domestic and cross-border M&A, securities and corporate governance matters.

    • Bill is one of the all time best in Canada!

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • Bill is a good resource and a trusted voice.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • Jeffrey Singer
    Jeffrey Singer

    Jeffrey Singer

    Jeffrey Singer enjoys an esteemed reputation for his handling of complex M&A mandates.

    • Jeff is great to work with. He is very sharp and thoughtful. He provides advice when required and lets his team run with the deal where it makes sense.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • John Ciardullo
    John Ciardullo

    John Ciardullo

    Toronto managing partner John Ciardullo has a wealth of experience in M&A and capital markets mandates, and displays additional strength in assisting clients with shareholder activism and corporate governance matters.

    • John is a standout lawyer and relationship manager. His legal skills are second to none and his negotiation skills are top notch.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • The combination of his technical skills, strategic thinking and experience level places John at the top of his peer group.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • John is a terrific lawyer and a terrific guy. He is pragmatic, has great relationship with clients and is incredibly practical.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • John is an amazing client facing counsel. He is well-versed in all major transactions.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • He is overall excellent.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • Sean Vanderpol
    Sean Vanderpol

    Sean Vanderpol

    Sean Vanderpol is a well-regarded corporate lawyer based in Stikeman Elliott's Toronto office. He routinely acts for public companies on securities and M&A transactions.

    • Sean is technically very strong and also a great partner.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • Sean is phenomenal. He is really good at never losing sight of the bigger picture. All the advice he gives is incredibly strategic. He always picks up my calls and I always feel prioritised.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • Brian M Pukier
    Brian M Pukier

    Brian M Pukier

    Toronto-based Brian Pukier focuses his practice on M&A transactions, corporate governance and private equity matters.

    • Brian is very impressive.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • He is a great lawyer.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • Simon A Romano
    Simon A Romano

    Simon A Romano

    Toronto-based Simon Romano exhibits a strong grasp of both M&A and the capital markets, acting for a diverse client base that includes private equity firms and financial institutions.
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  • Amanda Linett
    Amanda Linett

    Amanda Linett

    Toronto-based Amanda Linett handles a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions arising from the mining and private equity spaces.

    • Amanda's ability to deliver concrete, commercial advice in a timely manner is outstanding.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • J.R. Laffin
    J.R. Laffin

    J.R. Laffin

    John R Laffin practices out of Stikeman Elliot's Toronto office, where he co-leads the firm's Capital Markets and Public Mergers & Acquisitions group. He possesses a strong reputation for advising on public mergers and acquisitions, as well as contested transactions.

    • He has very strong technical skills.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • J.R. is incredibly knowledgeable and provides practical and commercial advice. He always makes you feel like you're a priority.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • J.R. is my go-to sounding board. I really value his securities law advice and practicality. Because he knows the law, we can get to the right decision-making.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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  • Jonah Mann
    Jonah Mann

    Jonah Mann

    Jonah Mann is a Toronto-based lawyer who is increasingly recognised for his corporate practice. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, private placements and other corporate transactions.

    • Jonah is a very good lawyer. He is very successful and greatly respected on the street.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

    • Jonah is a solid partner to our business. He always brings added value to any particular matter.

      Corporate/Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Stikeman Elliott LLP (9)

Ontario

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