Brett is an experienced lawyer practicing in the area of mergers and acquisitions. He regularly advises public companies, private equity sponsors and Canadian pension plans on a diverse range of complex and strategic mandates, including public and private mergers and acquisitions, private equity fund investments and other corporate transactions.
In addition to transactional work, Brett also advises Canadian and international companies on continuous disclosure and other general corporate, securities law and commercial matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Brett practiced in the corporate department of another leading Toronto law firm, specializing in private company M&A and fund formation. Brett earned his J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Queen’s University, where he received medals for highest standing in the M.B.A. program and third highest standing in law. He also holds a B.Sc. from Queen’s University, where he graduated first in his electrical engineering class.
Representative Work
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Fusion Pharmaceuticals in its acquisition by AstraZeneca
- Excellon Resources Inc.
Excellon Resources Inc. in its US$50 million acquisition of La Negra Mine in Mexico
- Kinross Gold Corporation
Kinross Gold Corporation in its US$1.4 billion acquisition of Great Bear Resources
- Koch Strategic Platforms
Koch Strategic Platforms in its US$100 million investment in Standard Lithium
- Koch Real Estate Investments
Koch Real Estate Investments in connection with its preferred equity financing of the Canderel-led $5.7 billion acquisition of Cominar REIT
- VTS
VTS in its acquisition of Lane Technologies
- Battle North Gold Corporation
Battle North Gold Corporation in its acquisition by Evolution Mining Limited
- Drax Group plc
Drax Group plc in its acquisition of Pinnacle Renewable Energy
- Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board in its investment in Duo Bank of Canada in connection with Duo Bank of Canada’s acquisition of Fairstone Financial Holdings Inc.
- Koch Equity Development LLC
Koch Equity Development LLC in its preferred equity financing of the proposed Cerberus-led acquisition of Dorel Industries
- KingSett Capital
KingSett Capital on behalf of KingSett Real Estate Growth LP No.7, KingSett Canadian Real Estate Income Fund and other investors, in connection with its $4.9 billion acquisition, with Starlight Investments, of Northview Apartment REIT
- Entertainment One
Entertainment One in its US$4 billion acquisition by Hasbro
- Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands in connection with Canopy Growth’s right to acquire Acreage Holdings
- Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands in its $5.1 billion strategic investment in and partnership with Canopy Growth Corporation
- Blackstone Property Partners
Blackstone Property Partners in its acquisition of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust for $3.8 billion
Fusion Pharmaceuticals in its acquisition by AstraZeneca
Excellon Resources Inc. in its US$50 million acquisition of La Negra Mine in Mexico
Kinross Gold Corporation in its US$1.4 billion acquisition of Great Bear Resources
Koch Strategic Platforms in its US$100 million investment in Standard Lithium
Koch Real Estate Investments in connection with its preferred equity financing of the Canderel-led $5.7 billion acquisition of Cominar REIT
- VTS
VTS in its acquisition of Lane Technologies
- Battle North Gold Corporation
Battle North Gold Corporation in its acquisition by Evolution Mining Limited
- Drax Group plc
Drax Group plc in its acquisition of Pinnacle Renewable Energy
- Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board in its investment in Duo Bank of Canada in connection with Duo Bank of Canada’s acquisition of Fairstone Financial Holdings Inc.
- Koch Equity Development LLC
Koch Equity Development LLC in its preferred equity financing of the proposed Cerberus-led acquisition of Dorel Industries
- KingSett Capital
KingSett Capital on behalf of KingSett Real Estate Growth LP No.7, KingSett Canadian Real Estate Income Fund and other investors, in connection with its $4.9 billion acquisition, with Starlight Investments, of Northview Apartment REIT
- Entertainment One
Entertainment One in its US$4 billion acquisition by Hasbro
- Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands in connection with Canopy Growth’s right to acquire Acreage Holdings
- Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands in its $5.1 billion strategic investment in and partnership with Canopy Growth Corporation
- Blackstone Property Partners
Blackstone Property Partners in its acquisition of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust for $3.8 billion
Latest Insights
-
Osler Update Mar 11, 2024
Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal clarifies considerations for a private placement in the face of an unsolicited takeover bid in Aimia
The OSC has provided helpful guidance in assessing whether a private placement undertaken in the face of a take-over bid is an improper defensive...
Read more
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Osler Update Dec 11, 2023
Private equity: developments in subscription line lending
In recent years, subscription line facilities have become a well-accepted tool used by private equity sponsors to manage their liquidity, reduce and...
Read more -
Osler Update Sep 11, 2023
Ontario Superior Court rules on fair value in Baffinland dissent decision
In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) found that the price at which a takeover bid process was ultimately...
Read more -
Report Apr 1, 2022
PIPE Transactions in Canada
This guide provides a high-level overview of private investments in Canadian public equities (PIPE), including common areas of negotiation, strategic...
Read more
Media Mentions
-
Osler News Feb 16, 2021
Osler welcomes 12 new partners and 2 new counsel in 2021
Osler is proud to announce the addition of 12 new partners and two new counsel across five of our offices, effective March 1, 2021.
Read more
Community Involvement
- Board Member, Balance for Blindness (2014-2015)
Speaking and Writing
Published Work
- “Public Mergers and Acquisitions in Canada”, Acquisition Guide, Practical Law Institute.
Credentials
Education
- Queen's University, J.D.
- Queen's University, M.B.A.
- Queen's University, B.Sc. (Electrical Engineering)
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
