Best Lawyers in Canada for Venture Capital Law

Jesse Ahuja is a partner at MEP Business Counsel. As a member of the firm since its founding, Jesse has focused exclusively on the formation, financing and mergers & acquisitions of private enterprises. While his clients span a broad range of industries (technology, manufacturing, logistics, professional services, hospitality, food & beverage, e-commerce, retail and financial services, among others), the underlying commonality is that all are privately held growth companies or their i...

Karam Bayrakal is a business lawyer in Vancouver, and co-leader of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications group, who focusses in the areas of information technology, online services, interactive media, emerging technology and intellectual property. He is involved in the related issues around cyber security, privacy and confidentiality. Global and regional technology clients want Karam for his advice on the strategic, legal and commercial aspects of acquiring, developing and transferring...

Carl Bélanger is a partner and member of Fasken's Commercial/Corporate Law group. He is based in Montréal and his practice focuses on commercial transactions and corporate structures, including mergers, acquisitions, venture capital and private sector-funding, as well as setting up funds and limited partnerships. Over the years, Carl assisted his clients at every step of their development in Canada and abroad. He has been especially active in transactions involving private equit...

Ally Bharmal is a corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate/commercial and board governance Partner based in the Vancouver office. Ally works with clients across the business life-cycle; from start-up and incorporation matters, seed and growth stage financing, to complex M&A, strategic investment, venture capital and private equity transactions. Ally has particular expertise in the technology industry, and the food, beverage and agribusiness industry, and co-l...

Michel Boislard has leading expertise in commercial law, primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, investment funds and securities. He also advises clients from the high technology and biotechnology sectors. Numerous public and private corporations trust Michel to represent them during complex domestic and international cross-border transactions. Michel familiarized himself with the challenges involved in cross-border transactions while working as resident partn...

Founding Partner of BCF LLP, Mario Charpentier co-heads our Corporate Finance sector. Mario was Managing Partner of BCF for 25 years, from the foundation of the firm in 1995 until November 2019. As a tax practitioner, he advises clients from every industry on the legal and business strategies to adopt to best grow their business. Mario draws upon a well of legal expertise and a vast network of personal and business relationships to address our clients’ challenges and provides tailored s...

Denis Chaurette practises corporate and commercial law. He is known in the mid-market sector for his excellent business sense as well as his thorough understanding of client issues and their budgetary constraints. His reputation has also been forged by his ability to close transactions, his tenacity in achieving objectives and his creativity. Denis’ experience combines 42 years of practice in commercial transactions and consulting, including 15 years in commercial litigation. Denis exam...

Charles Chevrette is a partner in the Corporate/Commercial group in our Montréal office. With nearly thirty years of experience, Charles has a particular expertise in private equity, mergers and acquisitions and venture capital. Over the years, Charles has been called upon to advise a wide range of private and public institutional investors on mergers and acquisitions or corporate financing and acquisitions, particularly in the technology sectors and in cross-border transactions. He re...

Jeffrey is the managing partner at Torkin Manes and a member of the firm’s Business Law and Corporate Finance Groups. His practice is concentrated on mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, and financings. He works closely with our clients to gain an understanding of their businesses and business objectives, firmly believing that lawyers cannot provide advice on legal business issues in a vacuum. Jeff has significant experience on a wide variety of business transactions an...

Jon Conlin is a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group, Private Equity & Venture Capital Group and Technology Group. Jon’s practice includes a wide range of complex business transactions; with a focus on M&A, strategic investments, private equity transactions and related corporate law matters. He also advises high-growth technology companies, founders and venture capital funds on private financings and other strategic transactions. Further, Jon regularly advis...

Robert Dorion is a partner in Gowlings' Montréal office. He specializes in business law with an emphasis on corporate, commercial, merger and acquisition and tax law. Over the years he has developed expertise in corporate re-organizations, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, contract negotiating, public and private financing and securities. His large clientele includes public and private companies working in local, national and international economic sectors. Robert has also serv...

Jean-Sébastien Dugas is recognized for his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, the sale of private corporations, private corporate financing (by way of equity, bank debt, subordinated loans, etc.) and commercial contracts.Jean-Sébastien has overseen numerous acquisitions, equity participations and banking transactions during his career. He acts primarily for SME, private equity funds, venture capital companies and financial institutions.He provides practical advice based on h...

Prentice Durbin is a partner with the Firm’s Business Law Group. His practice involves advising entrepreneurs at any stage, from start-up and early growth to large-scale established businesses, in a wide variety of corporate/commercial and securities issues. He focuses on stimulating creativity and growth, helping businesses thrive, and providing counsel, guidance and practical solutions to his clients. Practical Solutions for Complicated Markets Prentice is known for his practical appr...

Barbara is a partner in KRB’s Banking and Finance group. With over 25 years of experience, she handles a broad range of financing matters, including national and cross-border acquisition financings, various credit facilities, project and real estate financings, private placements, public offerings, and master lease financings. Barbara advises a diverse array of financing stakeholders, such as lenders, sponsors and corporate borrowers, on transactions involving operating lines of credit,...

With over 30 years’ experience in business law, Mireille Fontaine practices mainly in private equity, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, securities Law and fund formation. She is a seasoned business advisor, recognised for her legal and business acumen, her availability, and her efficiency. She helps her clients achieve and exceed their most ambitious objectives. In addition, Mireille specialized in cross-border transactions namely between Canada and the United States, as well a...

Strategic thinking, devotion and efficiency are the three elements that best describe Nathalie Gagnon. Setting herself apart by her in-depth understanding of the reality of entrepreneurs, she is one of the most highly-recognized experts in Quebec in mergers and acquisitions of private corporations. With more than 20 years of experience, she has advised an impressive number of executives in the purchase or sale of corporations. Nathalie Gagnon is co-chair of BCF's mergers and acquisitions team...

Vanessa Grant practises business law in our Toronto office. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance for public and private corporations, including private equity and venture capital. She also provides ongoing general corporate and commercial legal advice to a number of clients.She has worked with several national and international clients in various industries, with a particular focus on technology companies, life sciences companies, and RE...

Perry Kliot has a diverse commercial practice, with specific expertise in mergers and acquisitions, licensing and distribution, venture capital and traditional debt financing. He also has extensive experience dealing with start-up companies and has counselled such companies through their various stages of development. In so doing he has drafted numerous complex shareholder and joint venture agreements, and been involved in many international expansions. Perry’s clientele is broad based,...

Neil Kravitz is a partner in the Mergers and acquisitions, Corporate finance, Private equity and Corporate/Commercial groups. A seasoned advisor and a recognized leading lawyer in mergers and acquisitions, securities law and cross-border transactions, Neil has extensive experience acting for domestic and foreign acquirers and targets, issuers, entrepreneurs, private equity funds, investment banks, boards of directors and special committees in connection with public and private M & A trans...

Sophie Lamonde is the Managing Partner of the Montréal office as well as a member of the firm’s Partnership Board and Executive Committee. Her practice is directed primarily to the areas of mergers & acquisitions and private equity, with a focus on cross-border transactions. Sophie’s extensive corporate law experience includes advising Canadian and international clients in acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations and general commercial negotiations. She represents cl...

Jean Michel Lapierre practises business law, with a leading expertise in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions and securities law. Jean Michel has acted on behalf of issuers, securities dealers and institutional investors in various securities offerings. He has also acted for financial institutions in connection with issuances of structured products. Jean Michel has been involved in several major acquisition, sale, merger or going-private transactions of publicly-traded companies, inc...

A founding member of BCF’s Québec City office, François Lefebvre has successfully assisted many Québec businesses through every stage of their growth and has been an advisor to several major financial institutions. His proven expertise in commercial and banking law has enabled him to advise clients in various sectors, from technology to digital commerce, including real estate, manufacturing, industrial and banking. Over the years, François has participated in...

Jay Lefton practices corporate and securities law. Jay advises clients on public and private mergers & acquisitions transactions, private equity matters and public and private financings, as well as assisting with strategic alliances, technology transfer and licensing. He works predominantly in the technology and life sciences sector. Assisting acquirers and target companies and their boards of directors, Jay advises on negotiated transactions and unsolicited takeover bids, most of which ...

Steven Lukas, Associate Counsel, is co-chair of Harper Grey's Business Law Group. Known for his innovative and “out of the box” thinking and client focused solutions, Steven works closely with many entrepreneurs and corporations of all sizes and maturity, providing general legal advice on a broad range of corporate matters. He provides strategic counsel in the complex aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including divestitures and negotiated acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic...

Shahrooz Nabavi is a corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate/commercial lawyer with an active transaction-oriented practice. He is primarily focused on technology and knowledge-based industries, representing emerging and growth stage Canadian companies and institutional, venture capital and private equity investors and acquirers of such companies. Representing companies in a broad range of corporate transactional matters, including formation, venture capital financings, priv...

Anne-Marie Naud is a partner, market leader of the Corporate/Commercial group within the Québec City office and co-leader of the Firm’s Agribusiness, Food & Beverage group. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate governance. Anne-Marie is known for her calm demeanour and concentration, and many public and private corporations from the traditional, agricultural and technology sectors rely on Anne-Marie to head mergers and acquisitions, financi...

Bill's practice focuses on corporate commercial and securities law related matters. He assists entrepreneurs and established clients with incorporation or formation, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital through debt or equity offerings, and traditional commercial financing, corporate restructuring, corporate governance, reporting and continuous disclosure obligations.

Arlene has developed a broad range of expertise in the areas of corporate and commercial law, with a strong focus on merger and acquisition transactions, corporate governance and corporate finance. Arlene works extensively with technology based companies and assets including software, media and green technology. While Arlene maintains a mix of practice areas in commercial law, she has focused her practice on mergers and acquisitions and technology law. Arlene has also been a key advisor to va...

As a member of the Technology and Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Fasken’s Vancouver office, Geoff advises emerging companies and the investors that fund them in connection with early-stage, venture capital, growth equity, private equity and M&A transactions. Focusing on the technology sector, Geoff advises entrepreneurs, start-ups and venture-backed technology companies, from ideation through business organization, capital raising and exit. Geoff provides a broad range of pragm...

Antonella Penta is a partner within the Corporate/Commercial law group. Antonella is effective in leading negotiations and realizing private company mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity transactions. Antonella regularly manages cross-border and international transactions, corporate reorganizations and private placement financings. She has assisted companies in various industries from initial stages of incorporation to divestiture, including structuring, drafting of sha...

Troy is a partner practising corporate and securities law, with a particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, corporate finance and corporate governance mandates. Representing a number of public and private companies in a broad spectrum of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, food and consumer goods, technology and natural resources, Troy seeks to provide pragmatic advice to clients after developing a thorough understanding of their industry a...

Peter Riddell's practice is focused on mergers and acquisitions, joint venture and other complex commercial arrangements, carve-out transactions, and corporate and commercial law. He represents clients in various industries, including aerospace, agriculture, technology, pharma, renewable energy and entertainment.Peter has developed a relatively broad corporate practice ranging from advising large multinational corporations in the context of cross-border M&A, to smaller emerging scale-ups ...

Scott Rozansky practices corporate and commercial law from Dentons Canada LLP’s Montreal office. Scott represents clients engaged in a broad range of commercial activity focusing on corporate financings and acquisitions, involving both public and private companies. Scott also works regularly with regulated dealers, advisers and investment fund managers on registration related matters. He also represents foreign clients establishing or acquiring a business in Canada or assisting with ins...

Adam Saskin is a partner in Fasken’s Corporate/Commercial Law Group and Real Estate Law Group. Additionally, Adam is the Co-Leader of Fasken’s Corporate/Commercial Law Group in Montreal. He is recognized nationwide by several renowned legal directories for his expertise, notably in the areas of Corporate/Commercial Law, Venture Capital Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, and Real Estate Law. Adam’s Corporate/Commercial practice encompasses M&A, private equity,...

After 10 years spent in technology groups in large UK and US firms in Paris and large firm in Montréal, Julien joined Blue HF Legal in 2010. He acts for major VC funds and local or foreign companies (technology, manufacturing, retail) in their day-to-day corporate and commercial operations as well as their financing and M&A transactions. He has extensive experience in cross-border matters. Julien holds a Master’s degree in law (France), a DESS in technology law (France) and a...

Jeremy Sculnick is a partner in the Corporate Group whose practice focuses on Canadian and cross-border mergers & acquisitions, private equity and corporate finance transactions. He works with domestic and multi-national private and public companies as well as investors across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on life sciences and technology. Jeremy also has extensive experience in venture capital financings, strategic investment transactions, public company matters and...

Warren Silversmith is a partner in the Corporate Group, and Head of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group in Montréal. Warren primarily focuses his practice on private equity and venture capital, project development and finance and mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on cross-border transactions. In addition to Canadian corporate entities, Warren has acted for a number of U.S. private equity and U.S. venture capital firms on a wide range of acquisitions and investments for...

Ben is a business lawyer with over 20 years’ experience representing clients on M&A, private equity, angel and venture capital transactions, and a host of other business law matters. Ben is also an active investor, and is currently Chair of two tech-based companies and a Co-Chair of Tiger 21 (North America’s preeminent peer learning group for successful, active entrepreneurs who are stewarding personal wealth of $10MM and greater ( www.tiger21.com )). Clients include business ...

Head of the Québec Business Law Group, Audrey St-Pierre has a strong experience in business, corporate and commercial law. She specializes primarily in complex mergers and acquisitions, major corporate reorganizations, equity financings and corporate restructurings. Since the beginning of her career, Audrey has been involved in transactions across the country and has been acting as a legal advisor for well-known foreign investors and acquirers. Known for her efficiency, her availabilit...

Jason practices corporate and securities law with a primary focus on mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial arrangements, including joint ventures, corporate finance and corporate law. Jason has extensive experience advising boards of directors and special committees on mergers and acquisitions (hostile and negotiated), corporate governance and shareholder activism. As a senior partner, Jason focuses on providing strategic advice on complex, high-impact transactions. Jason advises entre...

Matthew chairs our Business Law Group. His practice involves providing counsel on transactions, as well as day-to-day activities for a wide range of clients, including banks and other financial services firms, venture capital firms, private equity/merchant banks, developers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and IT, BPO and pharmaceutical companies. His corporate experience includes the successful completion of numerous complex transactions, including share and asset acquisitions and di...

Carl Tremblay is Managing Partner for the Québec City office. A leader in the Québec City business community, he is recognized for his expertise in corporate and commercial law. He focuses in particular on mergers and acquisitions and financing. Carl’s experience and professional skill ensure that clients receive the best possible services. He has been listed in several legal directories, including Chambers, Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert. Carl regularly takes part in ...

Marc Tremblay is a professional engineer and a lawyer. He practices business law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and financing of private corporations, particularly in the technology and the telecommunication sectors. While handling transactions within the information technology and manufacturing sectors, he negotiates various agreements for the development, licensing, integration,and transfer of technology, the outsourcing of computer services and business processes and the setting ...

Practice focuses on strategic alliances, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions of private corporations and investment funds. In the fields of technology and computer law, expertise includes drafting computer software development agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, computer and telecommunication system outsourcing agreements and electronic commerce agreements. Major files have included outsourcing computer and telecommunication systems, joint ventures, high density...

Emilie Clairoux is an associate of the Corporate/Commercial group. Her practice covers all aspects of business law and focuses particularly mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies in a variety of sectors. Emilie supports clients in every step of the purchase or sale process, from setting up the initial structure to integrating the assets following the closing of the transaction. She also provides legal and strategic advice on the organization of companies and the protection o...

Felicia Jin is a lawyer within the Corporate and Commercial Law Practice Group. With experience in all aspects of corporate law, Felicia especially practises in the area of private capital and risk capital, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Felicia assists financial institutions (insurers, trusts and deposit-taking institutions) with the regulations applicable in Canada and Québec. She regularly advises corporations operating in the financial services industry on transactions relate...

Andrew assists domestic and international clients on a broad range of corporate legal matters with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate transactions. He has experience advising public and private companies and private equity funds on share and asset acquisitions and dispositions, reorganizations, financings and various other corporate proceedings. Andrew also regularly drafts and reviews commercial agreements including shareholders agreements, confidentiality agreemen...