The powerhouse practice at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP remains a market leader, leveraging the bench strength of national offices in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa and abroad in London and New York, to advise major domestic and multinational corporates and financial institutions involved in high-value public and private M&A. The practice is led by a trio of M&A experts in Toronto: Rory ffrench, who specializes in such sectors as healthcare, infrastructure and tech; Cheryl Satin, who also brings expertise to divestitures, private equity investments, joint ventures and corporate reorganizations; and Catherine Youdan, who advises on complex capital markets matters. Ross Bentley continues to be a key figure in Calgary, bringing experience to advising clients in the aviation, energy and agribusiness sectors, on such matters as domestic and international mergers, takeover bids and plans of arrangement. Michael Gans draws on over 25 years of practice to manage complex M&A, related party transactions and internal investigations. Jeffrey Lloyd brings authority to major negotiated and unsolicited transactions involving clients in industries ranging from real estate and media to telecoms and financial services. Linda Tu acts for a broad base of public and private companies, boards of directors, special committees and underwriters across the retail, tech, renewables, agriculture and cannabis spaces. All lawyers, unless noted, work in the Toronto office.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP remains a market leader, leveraging the bench strength of offices in Toronto, Montreal and New York with the experience of its team to advise major public and private companies, pension funds, private equity firms and financial sponsors involved in high-value, cross-border transactions. Acting for such key market players as the Barrick Gold Corporation and the Blackstone Group, the practice’s broad client roster covers such sectors as telecoms, real estate, mining, forestry, tech, life sciences and media. The group is led in Toronto by transactional authority Vincent Mercier, who brings experience to assisting bidders, target boards and special committees, including on proxy contests; mining industry specialist Melanie Shishler, who handles public company M&A, private asset acquisitions and dispositions, and complex private equity investment transactions; and in Montreal by Franziska Ruf, who handles complex M&A, private equity, corporate governance, capital markets and securities matters; and Elliot Greenstone, a specialist in real estate and life sciences sector matters. In Toronto, Patricia Olasker brings expertise to matters involving friendly and unsolicited M&A and shareholder activism; Aaron Atkinson specializes in major transactions, along with Brett Seifred, who acts for clients across such industries as telecoms, food services and entertainment.

Based in Toronto, Goodmans LLP continues to be a leader in the corporate and M&A space, bringing strength to advising major multinational corporates and financial institutions involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A, reorganisations and corporate governance matters. The firm’s broad client roster spans sectors ranging from real estate, healthcare, tech and media to energy, pharmaceuticals, sports, mining and food and beverages. The practice is headed Robert Vaux, who specializes in public and private M&A, IPOs and follow-on financings; and Michelle Vigod, who manages complex M&A, take-over bids, divestitures, corporate reorganizations and private equity transactions. Other figures of note include: Stephen Pincus, known for his work in SPAC structures; Neill May, an expert in securities law; Jamie van Diepen, a specialist in transactions in such areas as pharmaceuticals and education, and in contested governance matters; Brad Ross, who acts for a robust base of issuers, private companies and underwriters; shareholder activities specialist Jon Feldman; Julian di Bartolomeo; and Tara Hunt, who was promoted to partner in January 2024.

McCarthy Tétrault leverages the combined strength of a nationwide presence and offices abroad in London and New York, to provide a first port of call for major public and private companies (including Blackstone and Rio Tinto), banks and private equity firms involved in high-value domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions. Displaying particular strength in the mining segment, the practice’s active client roster spans such sectors as mining, energy, aviation, tech, engineering and manufacturing. The group’s comprehensive offering covers M&A, corporate finance and capital markets matters. The practice is led by M&A and private equity experts Cameron Belsher KC, who works in Vancouver and Toronto; and Jonathan See (also Toronto); and by Shea Small in Toronto and London, who provides extensive experience in joint ventures, strategic investments and capital markets. Also of note are Clemens Mayr in Montreal, who acts for issuers and underwriters in Canadian and cross-border public financings; and Shevaun McGrath, who handles restructuring, leveraged buyouts and minority investment transactions in Toronto, where David Woollcombe advises on M&A, securities offerings and corporate governance matters.

Stikeman Elliott LLP remains a leader in the marketplace, displaying a strong national and international footprint, leveraging the deep bench strength of offices in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, as well as in New York and London, to advise major public and private corporations, banks and governments involved in high-value, cross-border M&A, private equity and corporate finance transactions. The firm’s robust client base covers sectors ranging from energy, consumer products and pharmaceuticals to entertainment, aviation, mining and telecoms. Toronto office managing partner John Ciardullo brings top-of-the-market expertise to M&A, crisis management and regulatory compliance matters. Simon Romano draws on over 30 years of experience to advise clients on the structure and launch of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). A specialist in complex M&A, capital markets and private equity matters, Jeffrey Singer advises major banks, corporates, private capital firms and pension funds. Sean Vanderpol assists clients with joint venture transactions, public corporate finance transactions and public governance issues. In Montreal, Warren Katz handles divestitures, investments, private placements and going-private transactions. Also of note is Sophie Lamonde, who was appointed managing partner of the Montreal office in October 2024, and who specializes in the retail, aviation, manufacturing, life sciences, tech and media sectors. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in Toronto.

The corporate and M&A practice at Torys draws on the combined experience of teams in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary and New York, to advise major corporates and financial institutions (including The Bank of Nova Scotia) involved in high-value, cross-border transactions. The group’s client roster spans such sectors as energy and natural resources, retail, infrastructure, government and utilities. The group is headed in Toronto by John Emanoilidis, Karrin Powys-Lybbe and Michael Amm, all of whom bring experience and expertise to complex M&A, securities, private equity and corporate governance matters. Other key figures include Adrienne DiPaolo in Toronto, who, in addition to public and private M&A, specializes in corporate governance; Janan Paskaran in Calgary, an expert in securities compliance matters and corporate finance; and Jennifer Baugh (also in Calgary) who brings strength to M&A and reorganisations. Another figure of note is senior associate Daniel Masliyah in Toronto.

Bennett Jones LLP draws on the deep bench strength of offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and New York to advise domestic and multinational corporates and financial institutions on high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A, corporate financings, restructurings, divestitures, take-over bids and leveraged buyouts. The practice is led in Toronto by M&A practice vice chair Curtis Cusinato, who brings over 25 years of experience assisting public and private companies and private equity groups; corporate finance and securities expert Linda Misetich Dann and Kristopher Hanc, who specializes in public offerings, proxy contests and special committee processes; and in Calgary by private equity practice head John Mercury, who brings expertise to advising clients in the energy, financial services, consumer products and manufacturing spaces; and Brent Kraus, who handles M&A and corporate governance matters across the oil and gas, natural resources and transport industries; and Jonathan McCullough in Vancouver. Other key figures include co-energy head Harinder Basra in Calgary; and co=private equity head Matthew Hunt in Toronto.

Specialists in the mining sector, with 7 national offices and a presence in London and Johannesburg, the corporate group at Fasken brings expertise to advising major public and private companies, private equity funds, investors, business owners and project sponsors involved in domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity transactions, corporate reorganizations and infrastructure projects. The firm’s client roster spans sectors ranging from mining, financial services and manufacturing to tech, construction and telecoms. The team is headed in Toronto by Sean Stevens, who brings experience to M&A, restructurings and complex infrastructure transactions, such as public private partnerships (PPP); and Sarah Gingrich in Calgary, an expert in securities and capital markets, shareholder activism and corporate governance. Other key figures of notes include mining sector authority John Turner; public M&A and shareholder activism expert Brad Freelan and Claire Gowdy in Toronto; and Jean Michel Lapierre and Caitlin Rose in Montreal.

Norton Rose Fulbright draws on its experienced team and global reach (over 50 locations worldwide and offices in Calgary, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Quebec City) to advise multinational corporates, major investment banks, financial institutions and private equity players, involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A and corporate finance transactions. The practice's active client base spans sectors ranging from energy, telecoms and financial services to mining, tech, pharmaceuticals and food and beverages. The team is headed in Montreal by Mathieu Deschamps, who brings expertise to complex equity and debt financings and who co-chairs the M&A team along with Troy Ungerman in Toronto, who also leads the firm’s M&A representation and warranty insurance practice. Other names to note include Toronto office managing partner Terence Dobbin; senior partner Paul Raymond in Montreal; Canadian chair Walied Soliman KC in Toronto; the firm's Canadian life sciences and healthcare head Janet Grove and Kristopher Miks in Vancouver, who draws on a background in corporate and securities law; and Trevor Zeyl in Toronto.

Leveraging the deep bench strength of its global network of 70 offices across North America, Latin America, and the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, the Toronto corporate team of Baker McKenzie advises domestic and multinational corporates on high-value, cross-border transactions. With a client base spanning such sectors as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, aerospace, engineering, professional services and healthcare, the practice's full offering covers M&A, restructurings, takeover bids and corporate reorganizations. The team is led by David Palumbo, who brings expertise to capital markets and public M&A matters, along with Nancy Hamzo, a specialist in complex life sciences and tech industry transactions. Another name to note is Haran Viswanathan, who was promoted to partner in January 2024.

The corporate practice at Dentons leverages the bench strength of its global network and experienced team to advise major multinationals (including Lions Gate Entertainment and Motorola Solutions) involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. With a client base spanning such segments as tech, cannabis, mining, telecoms, infrastructure, energy, biotech and entertainment, the group’s comprehensive service covers matters ranging from M&A, restructurings, proxy fights and competition and antitrust matters to joint ventures, regulated industries and transactional tax issues. The practice is led by Jason Saltzman in Toronto, who brings expertise in share purchases, take-over bids, asset purchases, exchange offers and plan of arrangements; and capital markets and corporate finance specialist Danny Wakeling in Edmonton, who was promoted to the role in July 2024. Other key figures include Alex Farcas (also in Toronto), who brings extensive M&A experience and niche expertise in the cannabis space. Other key figures include blockchain and mining specialist Kimberly Burns in Vancouver; Edmonton corporate lead Leanne Krawchuk KC; and Kelli Patel, corporate finance expert Ora Wexler and senior associate Alex Eckler in Toronto.

The M&A group at Toronto business law boutique firm Aird & Berlis LLP coordinates with the firm’s real estate, IP, banking and finance, tax and disputes teams, to advise domestic and multinational corporates and government agencies on a diverse range of matters across the practice area, including public and private M&A, restructuring, takeovers, leveraged buyouts, fund formation, activism matters and regulatory compliance. The practice is led by Paige Backman, who brings strength to data protection, tech and sports-related matters; and Lisa Moreau, who specializes in asset and share purchase transactions. Other key figures include Jeffrey Merk, who brings expertise to advising business in such spaces as mining, private equity and cannabis; and Richard Kimel, who draws on experience to assist with public offerings and corporate governance. A trio of partners - Yosef Adler, Ryan Ghuman and Queenie Lo - joined from Minden Gross LLP in January 2024 (the month Minden Gross announced it was winding down operations).

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP leverages the full bench strength of over 800 lawyers across 5 national locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, to advise national and international corporates and financial institutions involved in high-value, cross-border transactions. The group's active client base spans such sectors as media, tech, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and mining, financial services, retail and transport. The group’s comprehensive service covers complex M&A, joint venture agreements, corporate finance, corporate governance and shareholder activism. The practice is headed by national group head of corporate and capital markets Prema Thiele in Toronto, who draws on over 30 years assisting international fund managers, portfolio managers and dealers with legal and compliance issues; corporate and commercial national business leader Subrata Bhattacharjee (also Toronto); and national business leader of securities and capital markets leader Kent Kufeldt in Vancouver and Calgary. Frazer House joined the Toronto office from Torys in March 2023.

The Calgary-based corporate and M&A practice at Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP continues to bring strength to energy sector transactions, advising public multinational corporations, private corporations and private equity investors involved in high-value, cross-border transactions, including M&A, takeover bids and plans of arrangement. The team is led by Edward Brown, who draws on extensive experience in complex M&A, corporate governance, shareholder activism and corporate finance; and Lindsay Cox, who specializes in public offerings and regulatory compliance. Other key figures include senior partner William Maslechko, Sylvie Welsh, Lonny Tetley and Paul Mereau.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP utilizes a global network and a strong national footprint to advise public and private sector clients across sectors ranging from telecoms, energy, tech, mining and healthcare to cannabis, life sciences, hospitality and projects (P3). The practice’s full offering covers corporate transactions (financing, joint ventures, M&A), regulatory compliance, IPO planning, IP prosecution and enforcement, in addition to advice on employment matters and environmental and contracting issues. The practice is headed by Ted Maduri in Toronto, who brings expertise to multi-jurisdictional M&A, startup planning, equity and debt financings, partnerships and joint ventures; and corporate, commercial and real estate specialist Jennifer Cleall KC in Edmonton. Other key figures include experienced M&A partner Russel Drew and Robert Fonn, who handles complex corporate financings, in Toronto; and Denis Silva in Vancouver, who brings extensive knowledge of the tech, mining and finance spaces.

Lawson Lundell LLP leverages the expertise of its team to advise domestic and multinational corporates across sectors ranging from tech, mining, forestry, energy and financial services to manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and real estate, on corporate governance, corporate finance and securities, M&A, fund formations and pension fund transactions. The practice is headed by a trio of M&A experts: Valerie Mann, who heads the firm’s technology law practice, and who acts for private equity and venture capital funds; Jagdeep Shergill, a specialist in pension plans; and David Allard, an expert in corporate reorganizations and restructurings and corporate governance matters. Other key figures include Greg Hollingsworth, who draws on a tax and accounting background; Amaan Gangji, who frequently handles cross-border M&A work with Allard; Andrew Robertson, whose transactional experience spans such industries as insurance, forestry and food and beverages, and Jack Yong, the leader of the Vancouver office’s Asia Pacific Group. All the lawyers mentioned work in Vancouver.