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
Partner, Corporate, Toronto
Latest Insights
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Osler Update April 25, 2025
New measures adopted by Canadian Securities Administrators aim to support Canada’s capital markets competitiveness
Continued efforts are being made by Canadian securities regulators to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden and support capital raising in Canada.
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Report March 24, 2025
Canadian public company mergers and acquisitions
A practical guide to the issues surrounding acquisitions of public companies in Canada.
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Osler Update December 18, 2024
Declining hostile bids, IPOs and public companies
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Report December 5, 2024
Private equity M&A: strong appetite for exchangeable share structures
Exchangeable share structures are expected to become increasingly popular in the coming years.
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SubscribeAwards and Recognition
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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.”
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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.”
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IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: Recognized in Private Equity
In the Media
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Osler News May 15, 2025
Osler named National Firm of the Year: Canada at the 2025 IFLR Americas Awards
The awards honour the leading law firms, lawyers and in-house teams working on the most innovative cross-border deals.
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Osler News April 16, 2025
Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2025 recognizes 44 Osler lawyers
Osler is proud to announce that 44 of our lawyers have been recognized as leaders in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A...
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Osler News January 29, 2025
(Ricco) A.S. Bhasin joins Osler’s Corporate group as a partner
Osler welcomes (Ricco) A.S. Bhasin to the Corporate group as a partner in Toronto and New York.
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Media Mentions April 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.
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