Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021 
Mark Chu practises in the area of Tax Law, advising clients on a wide range of Canadian taxation matters, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, initial public offerings, corporate reorganizations, and tax dispute resolution. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mark represents businesses, public companies, and investors on complex tax and corporate matters across a variety of industries. His background as both external counsel and in-house executive provides clients with practical insight into legal, financial, and operational considerations.
Mark is a partner at Farris LLP and previously practised with the firm from May 2009 to March 2012 before rejoining in September 2018. In addition to his tax law practice, he has experience advising on corporate governance, secured project financing, public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions.
From March 2012 to August 2018, Mark served as General Counsel of Seaspan Corporation, a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE and one of the largest containership lessors globally. Beginning in July 2013, he also acted as Corporate Secretary and held several senior leadership positions during his tenure, including Vice President, Corporate Development, Interim Chief Financial Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
During his time at Seaspan, Mark advised on transactions involving approximately US $3.8 billion in newbuilding containership projects and US $4.8 billion in related long-term lease contracts. He also worked on the March 2018 acquisition of Greater China Intermodal Investments LLC, valued at approximately US $1.6 billion. His experience further includes financing transactions involving more than US $4.0 billion in secured financing from European, Asian, and North American lenders and investors, US $1.3 billion in public debt and equity offerings on the NYSE, and US $1.3 billion in private debt and equity placements, including Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited’s 2018 investment of US $1.0 billion.
Before joining Farris LLP, Mark was a tax partner at a Big Four accounting firm from October 2004 to May 2009. He is both a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), admitted in 1993, and a barrister and solicitor called to the British Columbia bar in 1997. Mark earned his business and law degrees from the University of British Columbia and completed the Advanced Management Program at Columbia Business School in 2015.
