Private Equity

Up view in financial district.

Despite the economic uncertainties presented by the global pandemic, the private equity industry has remained resilient and adaptable, with expectations that it will continue to grow rapidly following the rebound of activity in the last half of 2020. Indications are that private equity deal-making will remain active in terms of deal count, value and financing.

With significant capital ready to invest, a low interest rate environment and new opportunities potentially arising out of distressed assets, it is expected that the private equity landscape will continue to be extremely competitive. From technology broadly, to healthcare tech, a spike in innovation during the last year is attracting new private equity investors in specific sectors. And while travel restrictions and economic upheaval persist, deal-making has remained steady especially as investors have become more comfortable evaluating prospective transactions remotely and adopting technology tools to complete transactions.

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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 to 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, we have 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. We 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. We use a collaborative, hands-on approach to providing private equity sponsors and other industry participants with advice on investment transactions across various asset classes, industry verticals and jurisdictions. 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 for.

At Osler, we work closely with our private equity clients when putting together a sound strategy. We understand that managing the potential risk and maximizing your returns are top priorities.

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  • 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