Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Corporate Law
Kathleen Ritchie is a partner in Gowling WLG's Toronto office and is the past leader of the firm's Corporate Finance, M&A and Private Equity Group (2010-2013). She practises securities and corporate law, and has almost 20 years of experience advising on public and private M&A and corporate finance transactions, as well as securities regulatory and corporate governance matters. Kathleen is known by her clients and colleagues for approaching her work with a great deal of intensity, inte...
Carleigh Bassett is a Partner in the Private Equity Practice Group at WeirFoulds LLP. Carleigh is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who has worked in both private practice and in-house roles. Carleigh began her legal career at WeirFoulds LLP where she worked as an associate in the private equity group from 2015-2020. In 2020 she moved to BDO Canada LLP as a senior commercial lawyer on their in-house legal team, where she assisted with merger transactions as well as day to day con...
Lawrence Wilder's practice focuses on representing public and private entrepreneurs and advising them in successfully growing their businesses. He handles all aspects of the development curve, from initial equity funding to IPOs and other liquidity events. His recognized private equity practice encompasses national and international PE firms as well as their investees. Lawrie also advises clients on shareholder activism matters, representing both public companies and activist shareholders. La...
Aaron Stefan is a Partner in Fasken’s Banking and Finance group with over 20 years of experience advising on corporate/commercial transactions. He regularly advises on syndicated and non-syndicated secured and unsecured credit facilities, acquisition financings, receivables purchases, asset-based lending and private lending. Aaron acts for financial institutions as well as private and public companies in a wide range of industries including energy, mining, manufacturing, agribusiness, t...
James is a partner and an experienced real estate development and business lawyer who advises on all aspects of real property transactions, including the development, ownership structure, purchase, sale and financing of commercial office complexes, retail shopping centers and residential buildings. He also regularly advises on private mergers and acquisitions, complex corporate restructurings and secured lending transactions. Driven by his desire to add value and ensure positive outcomes for ...
Stephen A. Pike is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Director and Officer Liability Practice. Stephen A., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Zev practices in the area of real estate and corporate commercial law and is also a member of the firm’s Compensation Committee. Zev acts for owners, developers, lenders, landlords, property and asset managers and tenants of all types of multi-residential, office, retirement home and retail properties in regards to negotiating acquisitions and sales, sophisticated commercial leases and related agreements as well as the structuring of such transactions. He also acts on behalf of Tier 1 l...
Rose M. Demelo Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Rose M., who practices law in Kitchener, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rose M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Karen E. Hennessey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Karen E., who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karen E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Viona M. Duncan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Information Technology Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Viona M., who practices law in Kitchener, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Viona M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Eric Reither’s practice focuses on corporate and securities law, with a particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and on covered bond transactions. He has acted for domestic and international clients on a wide range of acquisitions, divestitures, take-over bids, mergers, strategic alliances, joint ventures, shareholder and partnership arrangements and corporate reorganizations. Mr. Reither has also advised issuers and underwriters in connection with the establishment and registrat...
Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe is a corporate and securities transactional lawyer. Her practice spans all aspects of corporate and commercial law, with an emphasis on equity financings (including private and public financings, initial public offering readiness, regulatory compliance and cross-border matters), and mergers and acquisitions (public and private). Brigitte represents the full spectrum of businesses, from emerging to public companies, as well as venture capital, private equity, underwri...
Biography Chuck Magerman is a member of Baker & McKenzie's North American Transactions Group focusing on complex cross-border and multijurisdictional M&A, finance transactions and other corporate commercial matters. He focuses on corporate law as well as M&A and finance transactions. Chuck has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in Canada in 2024 and as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer - Independently rated lawyers. He has lectured on international business transactions a...
Executive Summary Paul Stoyan is the Chairman of Gardiner Roberts and practises business law with a special emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance. His varied experience makes him a valued corporate counsel to large and medium-size corporations of all types. He has worked extensively with various companies in the technology and financial sectors and has assisted such companies in various cross-border transactions, in going public and in establishing a...
Dwayne Kuiper is an experienced and practical business lawyer who gets deals done. He represents many owner-managed companies and is their primary point of contact with Miller Thomson, functioning as their general counsel. Dwayne has built trusted relationships and has an excellent reputation with his clients, other lawyers, accountants, bankers, and other advisers. Dwayne enjoys working with a team of advisers to provide the best results for each client. Dwayne has significant experience in ...
Peter Viitre is a partner at Sotos LLP. He is the Head of the Corporate and Commercial Group and the leader of the Home Services and Retail practice areas. Working extensively with franchises in those sectors as well as clients in the restaurant and automotive industries, he oversees all merger and acquisition transactions, primarily the purchase and sale of franchise systems including those with a cross-border component. Peter provides advice on all aspects of franchising, from the preparati...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.