Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions

Our Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) practice has the depth and experience to provide the strategic and client-focused advice demanded in today's complex multi-jurisdictional environment. Our team consists of more than 100 lawyers, who are widely recognized for their experience and innovation in all areas of securities law and M&A. We regularly advise on leading domestic and cross border transactions.

Mergers & Acquisitions

As counsel to capital market participants, both domestic and abroad, in all facets of M&A transactions, we have a deep understanding of the objectives of each of the participants in an M&A transaction and what it takes to manage large complex transactions. We are able to capitalize on this understanding to ensure that our clients receive sophisticated, innovative and, above all, value-added tactical and legal advice. The size and breadth of our practice and our national and international presence ensures that we are able to respond quickly and effectively to any M&A transaction, regardless of timing, size, scope or complexity.

We advise clients involved in all aspects of a transaction, including acquirers, targets, boards and their special committees, lenders, financial advisors, investors and key shareholders. We provide a focused, integrated approach, drawing on our depth and expertise in other areas, such as tax, competition, labour and employment, pensions, banking, intellectual property, mining, environment and litigation. We are particularly well known for our private equity work and for our expertise in providing strategic advice to the board and special committees to the board.

Securities

Our Securities Group provides counsel on matters that include public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities, capital reorganizations, mutual fund matters, corporate governance matters and ongoing compliance with securities laws' continuous disclosure requirements, registration of dealers and advisors - both domestic and foreign.

Clients include public companies listed on the TSX, NYSE, AIM and other international stock exchanges, all in a variety of industries including mining, communications and life sciences. Additionally, we represent financial institutions including banks, trust companies, insurance companies, both domestic and foreign investment dealers, mutual funds and investment companies, and limited partnerships.

Selected Experience

• Alliance Grain Traders Income Fund acquires Pulse Depot
• CGI divests Canadian business processing unit to The Shumka Group

News

• Globe & Mail quotes M&A lead on critical Delaware D&O ruling
• Fasken Martineau comments on the Supreme Court's decision regarding BCE Inc.

Publications

• Fair To Whom? The Quebec Court Of Appeal’s Decision In The Matter Of The Proposed Arrangement Concerning BCE Inc. By: Aaron J. Atkinson, Jonathan A. Levin, Stephen I. Erlichman, Richard J. Steinberg, Murray J. Braithwaite, June 2008.
• Outgoing Directors should be wary of looking to Corporate Bylaws for Protection By: R. Graham Phoenix, Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions Bulletin, June 2008.

Events

• 24th Annual Canadian Securities Regulation Course, May 21-22, 2008.
• Due Diligence - 2nd annual edition, April 17-18, 2008.