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Michael-Stephens-Vancouver-Lawyer

Mike M. Stephens *

Partner Fasken
Jurisdiction British Columbia, 2011 | England and Wales*, 2005
Language(s) French, English
Office(s) Vancouver
Contact
*Law Corporation
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Overview

Mike Stephens is a leading information technology law Partner in the Vancouver office of Fasken. A recognized leader in the British Columbia technology ecosystem and a dedicated advocate for clients, Mike represents companies in all stages of their development, with a particular focus on early-stage entrepreneurs, start-ups and emerging growth companies.

An experienced M&A and securities lawyer, Mike also counsels emerging growth companies from their foundation all the way to IPO or an exit event. Mike also advises founders, executives and company boards on corporate issues, business strategy, fundraising and board governance, and strategic transactions.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a Partner and Vancouver office Lead of the Venture Technology/Emerging Growth Companies group of an international law firm.

Achievements

  • Recognized in FinTech Practice in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 to 2026
  • Recognized in Information Technology Law in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2022 to 2026
  • Recognized in Technology Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Technology Transactions , Lexpert 2025 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Corporate Finance and Securities, Lexpert 2025 to 2026
  • Recognized nationwide as Highly Regarded in Capital Markets: Equity, M&A, IFLR 1000 2022 to 2025
  • Recognized nationwide as Highly Regarded in Capital Markets - Equity , IFLR 1000 2021 to 2024

Experience

  • Mapath Capital completes private placement and debt settlement, [Deal - Mapath Capital Corp. (OTCPK:IVFZ.F)], Private placement deal for Mapath Capital
  • TenX Protocols completes a private placement offering of subscription receipts, [Deal - Canaccord Genuity Inc.], Private placement deal in crypto space.
  • Turnium Technology Group Inc. closes second tranche of concurrent non-brokered unit and convertible debenture private placements, [Deal - Turnium Technology Group, Inc. (TSXV: TTGI)], Global dealer in TaaS closes private placement deal
  • Streamex Exchange Corp. merges with BioSig Technologies, Inc., [Deal - Streamforge Inc.], Merger in the FinTech industry
  • Canaccord Genuity acts as the sole underwriter and bookrunner for Liberty Defence Holdings in connection with the closing of its overnight marketed public offering of units, [Deal - Canaccord Genuity Inc.], Canaccord Genuity acts as the sole underwriter and bookrunner for Liberty Defence Holdings.
  • Marine Biologics Inc. in its acquisition of Spoitz Enterprises, [Deal - Marine Biologics Inc.], Marine Biologics Inc. has acquired Canada’s leading macroalgae bioprocess engineering group.
  • Turnium Technology completes acquisition of Claratti and the concurrent non-brokered private placement, [Deal - Turnium Technology Group, Inc. (TSXV: TTGI)], Acquisition in the technology industry
  • Liberty Defense Holdings closes listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE) private placement of units, [Deal - Canaccord Genuity Corp.], Canaccord Genuity on the Liberty Defence Holdings $3.5 million listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE) private placement of units.
  • Turnium Technology Group Inc. closes its C$3.5 million LIFE offering, [Deal - Turnium Technology Group, Inc. (TSXV: TTGI)], Private placement deal in software industry

Career & Education

Education

  • Legal Practice Course, with Commendation University of Law
  • Post Graduate Diploma, Law, with Distinction Kingston University
  • BA, History McGill University

Knowledge

  • Pragmatic Approach to Regulating Crypto Asset Trading Platforms, 10/6/2023
  • ‘One-Two Punch’ Against Crypto Industry: SEC Files Back-to-Back Complaints Against Binance and Coinbase, 6/21/2023
  • Fintech’s Operating in British Columbia Should Prepare for Incoming Money Services Business Act Requirements, 5/29/2023
  • Shut the FTX Door - Canadian Securities Regulators Tighten Grip on Crypto Asset Trading Platforms, 3/7/2023

Events

  • ACCBC Legal Innovation & Technology Series, 10/26/2021
  • Understanding the Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technology, 11/21/2018
  • The Intersection of Technology and Banking: How FinTech Innovators and Financial Institutions Can Steer Together, 11/17/2016

News

  • The Afternoon T interviews Mike Stephens in a podcast on the mergers and acquisitions process, 10/27/2022
  • Chepicap.com quotes Mike Stephens in an article on the QuadrigaCX case, 3/11/2019
  • Canadian Lawyer magazine quotes Mike Stephens in an article on potential cryptocurrency regulations due to QuadrigaCX, 2/20/2019
  • BetaKit.com quotes Mike Stephens in an article on how to prevent another QuadrigaCX incident, 2/19/2019
  • Greensheet.com quotes Mike Stephens in an article on Canadian cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX, 2/8/2019
  • The Fear of Science interviews Mike Stephens in a podcast on bitcoin and cryptocurrency, 10/1/2018
  • Lexpert Magazine quotes Mike Stephens and Christian Jacques in an article about how blockchain is transforming businesses, 7/6/2018
  • Blockchain Investing News quotes Mike Stephens in an article about the regulation of blockchain in Canada and the opportunity to fine-tune the process, 5/16/2018
  • Vancouver Sun quotes Mike Stephens in an article on cryptocurrency regulations, 4/27/2018
  • Fasken Doubles Top Tier Rankings in Legal 500 Canada 2018, 12/7/2017

Publications

  • SEC Warns That Initial Coin Offerings Could Be Subject to U.S. Securities Laws, 8/8/2017
Article SEC Warns That Initial Coin Offerings Could Be Subject to U.S. Securities Laws

Speaking Engagements

  • Episode 67 of Afternoon T Podcast, 10/27/2022