Chad Bayne

As a founder and Co-Chair of Osler’s Emerging and High Growth Companies Practice Group, he advises various emerging and growth companies across all technology sectors, the venture capital funds and investors that finance them and the strategic acquirors who buy them.

He advises clients in connection with a variety of transactions including acquisitions and divestitures, venture capital, growth equity and private equity financings, joint ventures, strategic alliances and initial public offerings.

Chad is widely recognized as the leading lawyer in Canada for startups and venture capital investors as one of the only Band 1 lawyers currently ranked in Chambers Canada’s Startup and Emerging Companies Category. Chambers notes that “Chad’s domain knowledge on how the startup and venture capital ecosystem works is unmatched in the country." He is also ranked in Chambers Canada’s Fintech sector where he is described as “occupying a unique position in the market — he is famous in the tech scene”.

Chad's computer engineering background provides him with a unique capability to leverage industry-related experience to provide his clients with top-tier strategic advice and guidance.

Chad has advised on some of the most seminal transactions involving technology companies in Canadian history, including IBM’s US$5B acquisition of Cognos, Hootsuite’s landmark US$165M Series B financing, Verafin’s landmark C$515M recapitalization and its US$2.75B sale to NASDAQ, Waabi’s US$83.5M Series A financing and Wealthsimple’s $750M financing.

Chad also plays a central role in Osler’s efforts in Rotman’s Creative Destruction Lab which we support at a national level, NEXT Canada (NEXT AI, NEXT 36 & NEXT Founders), C100, Deloitte’s Fast 50 Program and League of Innovators (formerly The Next Big Thing).


Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Startups and Emerging Companies (Band 1)
    • “Chad’s domain knowledge on how the startup and venture capital ecosystem works is unmatched in the country.”
    • “Chad Bayne is one of the most respected people in tech in Toronto. He’s always working hard for his clients.”
    • “Chad is one of the top lawyers in our ecosystem and an incredible partner to the companies he works with.”
    • “Chad’s an amazing lawyer.”
  • Chambers FinTech – Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers in FinTech: Recognized in FinTech Legal
    •  He is an influential figure in the Canadian FinTech ecosystem, and is described as “occupying a unique position in the market – he is famous in the tech scene.” Chad is well thought of by his clients for his responsiveness, knowledge and deal-making expertise
    • “Unbelievably commercial and understands what is happening in the market. His ability to articulate opportunities to technology companies is unbelievably strong.” 
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Mid-Market; Toronto’s top corporate mid-market lawyers; Mergers & Acquisitions; Technology Transactions; Ontario’s best technology transactions lawyers
  • The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Corporate Commercial Law; Technology
  • The Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-border Corporate Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Lawyers to Watch
  • Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in FinTech Practice; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Technology Law; Venture Capital Law; “Lawyer of the Year”, Venture Capital Law
  • Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Global Elite: Recognized in Fintech
  • Lexpert Special Edition: Recognized in Technology and Health Sciences

Credentials

Education

  • University of Ottawa, LL.B.
  • University of Waterloo, B.A.Sc. (Computer Engineering)

Languages

  • English

Professional Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Canadian Venture Capital Association