Corporate Governance

Osler is the recognized thought-leader and a much sought-after legal advisor on corporate governance. Our Corporate Governance team comprises some of the most highly regarded experts in Canada. Osler has long been at the forefront of developments in corporate governance in Canada.

We leverage our experience and knowledge from our involvement of the evolution of Canadian governance rules and practice and our commitment to gaining a deep understanding of our clients and their businesses to offer practical and effective governance strategies tailored to the specific needs of each organization, regardless of type of organization, size or stage of development.

Unparalleled expertise

Our corporate governance practice supports clients headquartered across the country and in all industries and encompasses organizations in both the public and private sectors, including not-for-profit organizations, Crown corporations, trusts and partnerships. We regularly work with public company clients that are often at the forefront of new developments in corporate governance. And we also work with organizations which have very different relationships with stakeholders, as well as community welfare or public policy mandates.

We deliver strategic advice on:

• creating new corporate governance structures, charters, policies, and guidelines, including for new public companies
• reviewing and assessing, and updating, optimizing, and refining existing governance structures
• establishing and supporting independent committees and special committees
• conducting internal investigations, including to address whistleblower complaints
• shareholder rights and remedies, shareholder engagement, voting rights and shareholder rights plans
• shareholder activism and proxy contests
• stakeholder engagement
• new developments in corporate governance
• reviewing and assessing director insurance and indemnification.

Members of the Corporate Governance practice also support our Environmental, Social and Governance practice and our Risk Management and Crisis Response practice.

Osler lawyers have chaired or served on committees established by federal and provincial governments and regulatory bodies to improve governance rules and practices. We have also worked with industry groups in responding to governance initiatives by governments and regulators. We lecture and write extensively on emerging issues in the field and regularly share our knowledge with clients through useful educational tools and publications such as Directors’ Responsibilities in Canada.