Department profile
Stikeman Elliott LLP

Private Equity: Buyouts

Global Guide 2026 : Canada


Stikeman Elliott LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP

Stikeman Elliott’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group is perennially among the most active in Canada. Whether advising on Canada’s largest contested public company transactions or friendly acquisitions of privately owned family businesses, we utilize our expertise and creativity to pragmatically achieve client goals.

One of the hallmarks of our practice is our understanding of risk. We see managing and minimizing risk as one of our key roles in any transaction – identifying and mitigating third party issues before they become a problem.

Stikeman Elliott lawyers have well-earned, long-standing relationships with all Canadian regulators. Our strategic management of regulatory interactions has helped clients close some of the most highly scrutinized deals in Canada. We also understand that successful transactions must be designed having regard to their real and perceived implications to our client’s key stakeholders. As such, we work with clients to help them present transactions that best preserve and leverage these often critical relationships

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity: Buyouts - Canada

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Stikeman Elliott is a go-to Canadian law firm for sophisticated securities, M&A and corporate finance matters, advising on high-profile deals from a nationwide base, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Vancouver and Calgary. The team advises on both inbound and outbound transactions, with a particularly high profile for its representation of foreign investors. The team's industry expertise encompasses mining, oil and gas, telecoms, tech and real estate, with further experience in retail and hospitality sector transactions. The firm stands out for its experience of both debt and equity capital markets and securities expertise. The group offers a strong bench in private equity, advising on domestic and cross-border buyouts, recapitalisations and financings across industries.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Stikeman Elliott acted as counsel to Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in connection with the sale of its 7.51% stake in 407 Express Toll Route to Public Sector Pension Investment Board for CAD2.39 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • 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.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • The Stikeman team has expertise at the junior and senior levels, the ability to support complex transactions and good attention to detail.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • 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.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Stikeman is very thorough and provides a comprehensive and detailed legal service. Their attention to detail and communication skills are second to none.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • The team brings extensive industry expertise and experience, enhancing their ability to address complex structuring provisions and sophisticated challenges effectively.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleChristopher Nixon
    Senior StatespeopleChristopher Nixon

    Christopher Nixon

    Boasting a longstanding leading reputation, Christopher Nixon operates an impressive transactional practice in Calgary that sees him advise on high-profile M&A transactions.
    • Christopher brings a wealth of experience and gravitas.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Senior StatespeopleSidney M Horn
    Senior StatespeopleSidney M Horn

    Sidney M Horn

    Sidney Horn is a highly regarded lawyer in the corporate and commercial space in Québec. He acts as a trusted adviser to domestic and international clients on transactional matters, including M&A, corporate governance and securities law issues.

    • Sid Horn is a go-getter.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Senior StatespeopleWilliam J Braithwaite
    Senior StatespeopleWilliam 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 a good resource and a trusted voice.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Bill is one of the all time best in Canada!

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Eminent PractitionersJeffrey Singer
    Eminent PractitionersJeffrey 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.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Brian M Pukier
    Band 1Brian M Pukier

    Brian M Pukier

    Toronto-based Brian Pukier has three decades of experience in high-value transactions and is held in extremely high regard for the quality of his private equity counsel.

    • Of all the lawyers that I've worked with, Brian is among the best. He is one of the best strategists and has great business sense.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 1John Ciardullo
    Band 1John 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.

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

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • John is a terrific lawyer and a terrific guy. He is pragmatic, has great relationship with clients and is incredibly practical.

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

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • He is overall excellent.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • John is an amazing client facing counsel. He is well-versed in all major transactions.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 2John W Leopold
    Band 2John W Leopold

    John W Leopold

    Montréal-based John Leopold maintains a leading reputation for his impressive corporate practice, which sees him handle M&A transactions and private equity deals, among other matters.

    • John is the gold standard when it comes to private equity lawyers in Canada.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • John Leopold is outstanding.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • John is excellent.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Peter Castiel
    Band 2Peter Castiel

    Peter Castiel

    Montréal-based Peter Castiel acts for several significant private equity houses on high-value, cross-border buyout transactions.
  • Band 2Robert Carelli
    Band 2Robert Carelli

    Robert Carelli

    Robert Carelli combines his role as head of the Montréal office's corporate group with an active client-facing practice. He demonstrates strength in mergers, acquisitions and equity deals. He is also noted for his expertise in securities law.

    • Robert is a very well seasoned extremely experienced partner. He's an outstanding lawyer.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Samantha Horn
    Band 2Samantha Horn

    Samantha Horn

    Toronto-based Samantha Horn has a highly regarded private equity practice with a strong focus on buyout transactions. She has particular expertise concerning matters in the technology space.

    • Samantha has a wealth of knowledge, a depth of experience and knows how to drive deals successfully.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Samantha Horn is a tough negotiator who represents her client's interests aggressively and pushes deals through.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Samantha is attentive and judicious.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Sean Vanderpol
    Band 2Sean 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 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.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Sean is technically very strong and also a great partner.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Craig A Story
    Band 3Craig A Story

    Craig A Story

    Craig Story is highly accomplished in handling mergers and acquisitions and private equity matters, as well as joint ventures and capital markets transactions.
    • Craig is the perfect example of knowledgeable and experienced counsel.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • He is great at dealing with complexities.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Craig is great at understanding the issues and provides great advice.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Jean Marc Huot
    Band 3Jean Marc Huot

    Jean Marc Huot

    Montréal-based Jean Marc Huot attracts praise for his consummate handling of high-level corporate matters. He frequently advises clients on securities, corporate governance and M&A transactions.

    • Jean Marc is nothing short of fantastic, I'm very pleased with his depth of expertise.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Jean Marc Huot is always available, reliable and is the best counsel we have.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Simon A Romano
    Band 3Simon 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.

  • Band 3Sophie Lamonde
    Band 3Sophie Lamonde

    Sophie Lamonde

    Sophie Lamonde is a well-regarded lawyer who has significant experience representing major private equity firms. She is the managing partner in the Montréal office and frequently assists clients with add-on acquisitions.

    • Sophie is a great technical lawyer.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Sophie consistently delivers impeccable service and demonstrates strong business acumen.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Stewart Sutcliffe
    Band 3Stewart Sutcliffe

    Stewart Sutcliffe

    Toronto-based Stewart Sutcliffe attracts strong praise for his capabilities in the private equity space. He has notable experience representing major private equity houses in acquisitions arising in a wide variety of sectors.

    • Stewart is a great resource on Canadian matters as he has deep private equity and M&A expertise. He is also very smart, very responsive and very commercial.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Stewart Sutcliffe provides excellent advice, is very thoughtful and also very easy to work with.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Warren Katz
    Band 3Warren Katz

    Warren Katz

    Warren Katz regularly advises public and private corporations on securities, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity matters. He previously served as the managing partner of the Montréal office.

    • Warren is an excellent lawyer, a great negotiator and an all around brilliant person.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Warren is business-oriented, solution-oriented and very pragmatic.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Evan Marcus
    Band 4Evan Marcus

    Evan Marcus

    Evan Marcus is a Toronto-based lawyer in Stikeman Elliott's M&A and private equity group. He frequently assists clients with both domestic and cross-border acquisitions, with his recent work including a number of matters in the fields of tech, software and cybersecurity.

    • Evan is our go-to lawyer.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
    • Evan is a good negotiator.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Leland P Corbett
    Band 4Leland P Corbett

    Leland P Corbett

    Calgary-based Leland Corbett handles a wide array of corporate transactions, including M&A and capital markets mandates.
    • Leland is very intelligent and he knows the law well.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Stikeman Elliott LLP (21)

Canada

Members

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