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Private Equity

We provide clients advice and guidance regarding every facet of their domestic or international deals.

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In a challenging economic environment where attracting new capital can be difficult, private equity firms are becoming creative in their deal structuring to help mitigate risk and to find new ways to create value.

Market volatility has slowed deal activity, with less competition having an impact on asset valuations. Patient capital and selectivity have become a key focus for buyers. The private credit market has continued to expand with the decline in public financing. Despite current headwinds, long-term fundamentals for private equity remain strong.

Navigating the current economic and regulatory climate requires experienced legal counsel with knowledge of the evolving landscape and regulatory environment. Competition and Antitrust enforcement authorities around the world, including Canada, have taken an increased interest in private equity deals. As well, there is heightened focus in Canada on foreign investments in Canadian businesses, including national security screening and assessment.

How we can help

Whatever the sector or size of your private equity deal, you need legal advice with the right expertise to get your deal across the finish line. Our team of private equity legal advisors includes leading legal professionals with extensive sector knowledge and experience advising both domestic and international clients. Consistently ranked as the top M&A firm in Canada, Osler has the resources to execute on complex domestic and cross-border transactions, and have done so for some of the largest private equity firms and pension funds in the world. Our lawyers advise on all elements of investment, including fund formation and fund investment, co-investments, structuring, lending, leveraged buyouts, distressed investing and acquisitions through restructuring, carve-out transactions, cross-border support for global transactions, PIPEs (Private Investments in Public Companies) and IPO exits.

Our Private Equity team leverages Osler’s strengths across the Firm, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, corporate governance, taxation, competition/antitrust, financing, litigation, ESG, employment and labour, and privacy. Osler is at the forefront of all aspects of private equity investment and has extensive experience handling litigation related to tax disputes, trusts and other issues that private equity firms may encounter and need to prepare. We work closely with our private equity clients when putting together a sound strategy. Our team understands that managing the potential risk and maximizing your returns are top priorities.

Key Contacts

Chair

Brian Gray

Partner, Corporate, Toronto

View all team members

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Investment Funds (Band 1); Investment Funds: Fund Formation (Band 1); Private Equity: Buyouts; Tax (Band 1); Corporate/Commercial: The Elite (Ontario – Band 1; Alberta; Quebec)
    • “I enjoy working with them – they bring a level of technical expertise that is extremely deep. We get tremendous insight.”
    • “The quality of service is excellent. The team has a very good relationship with clients and is very prompt.”
    • “They’ve been exceptional and take a pragmatic view of issues.”
    • “They are an excellent firm and very strong across all areas. They’re very responsive, quick, concise and have deep subject matter expertise.”
    • “They are not only knowledgeable and smart but are also prepared to work hard, are business-like in their focus on legal issues and meet their commitments to clients.”
    • “They have a very good outlook on the market and are well known for their business judgement.”
    • “They’re an excellent firm and are incredibly good in terms of their level of expertise of legal counsel. The delivery of the services has been incredibly professional.”
  • Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Private Equity: Buyouts
    • “As a firm they make it a priority to know the client at a level which allows them to be creative and proactive. They’re very diligent in their efforts to get to know a client and provide proactive bespoke advice.”
    • “They are very good in business judgements and are very focused on client engagement and experience.”
    • “They are wise and practical. They understand transactions and what’s driving us in the deal.”
  • IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: Recognized in Private Equity

In the Media

  • Media Mentions Apr 22, 2024

    How to select board members who bring ‘discipline and rigour’ to family enterprises – The Globe and Mail

    Counsel Heidi Wong tells The Globe and Mail why family businesses should hire outside expertise.

    Read more
    How to select board members who bring ‘discipline and rigour’ to family enterprises – The Globe and Mail
  • Osler News Feb 26, 2024

    Osler builds capital market expertise in Calgary with addition of two partners

    Osler is pleased to welcome Dan Shea and Jessica Myers as partners in the firm’s Calgary office.

    Read more
  • Osler News Apr 4, 2023

    Lorraine Lynds joins Osler’s Corporate group in Toronto as a partner

    Osler welcomes Lorraine Lynds to the Corporate group as a partner.

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  • Osler News Mar 27, 2023

    Raphaël Amram joins Osler’s Corporate group in Montreal as a partner

    Raphaël’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, private equity, venture capital and real estate.

    Read more
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Osler is a leading business law firm practising internationally from offices across Canada and in New York. Our clients include industry and business leaders in all segments of the market and at various stages in the growth of their businesses. We have built our reputation on our commitment to our clients' success and the experience, expertise and collaborative approach for which we are recognized. We believe that our success is a reflection of our clients' success.