LAWYER PROFILE
Desmond Lee

Desmond Lee

Global 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Practice Areas

Desmond is one of Canada’s most well-regarded lawyers for capital markets work, with a particular focus on IPOs and other equity financing transactions. He co-leads the Firm’s capital markets practice with Rosalind Hunter.

Desmond is responsible for the origination and execution of equity and debt financing transactions and has led numerous initial public offerings, new issues, secondary offerings and private placements for issuers primarily in the diversified, financial services, healthcare, mining, power and utilities, real estate and TMT (technology, media and telecommunications) industries.

He has extensive experience as an advisor to investment banks on trading questions and regulatory matters and has also served as the corporate secretary of a TSX-listed issuer. Desmond earned a B.Sc (Hons.) in geological sciences from Queen’s University in 1993 and an LL.B. from McGill University in 1996. He was named as a partner of Osler in 2005.

According to Chambers, Desmond holds a distinguished reputation among his peers and is “a very talented lawyer who gets to the point quickly”. He is ranked as a leading lawyer for capital markets or securities work by Best Lawyers, Chambers, IFLR1000, The Legal 500, Lexpert and Who’s Who Legal.

Career

McGill University, LL.B.

Queen’s University, B.Sc. (Hons.)

Bar Admission: Ontario, 1998

Professional Memberships

Canadian Bar Association

Law Society of Ontario

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Capital Markets: Debt & Equity - Canada

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Desmond Lee is recognised for his market-leading practice representing issuers in significant offerings. Operating from Toronto, he has additional capabilities in REIT work.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He has a good current view on what kind of market practice is and perspective.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Global Guide
  • He is a top-tier financing lawyer and very strong at dealing with financing institutions and growth companies.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Global Guide
  • Desmond is the best contact at Osler and best on the street. He is extremely knowledgeable, always helpful, always responsive and always goes above and beyond.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Global Guide
  • Desmond has been outstanding in every interaction.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Global Guide
  • Des is my go-to at Osler. He is commercial, responsive, knowledgeable and provides great service.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (83)

Canada

What success is built on

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

Explore thought leadership