Gesta Abols is a trusted advisor to leading private equity firms, strategic acquirers, boards, and special committees on complex mergers & acquisitions, shareholder activism, corporate governance, and strategic investments. Known for delivering clear, actionable guidance on high-stakes transactions, Gesta brings structure and insight to the most challenging deal environments.
As Co-Leader of the firm’s Cross-Border Practice and a member of its Capital Markets and M&A Executive Committee, Gesta plays a central role in advising foreign acquirers on inbound Canadian investments. He is a go-to Canadian counsel for international investors and their law firms seeking seamless collaboration on cross-border mandates.
Gesta is recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, and Lexpert as one of Canada’s leading transactional lawyers. Clients describe him as:
“Amazing. His knowledge of Canadian M&A and his transactional expertise is extremely valued.”
“Fantastic.”
“Great legal expertise and a strong commercial understanding.”
Outside of practice, Gesta teaches an advanced course on complex transactions at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and serves as an advisor to the Ontario Securities Commission through its Securities Advisory Committee.
He is an active member of the ABA Mergers & Acquisitions Committee, including Co-Chair of the ABA Canadian Private Target M&A Deal Study, and a frequent speaker and writer on M&A trends, governance, and cross-border dealmaking.
Gesta is also an avid cyclist and a terrible golfer.
