Frank  Turner

Frank Turner

Partner, Corporate

Key Contact: Asia 亚洲

Key Contact: Commercial Technology Transactions

Key Contact: Mergers and Acquisitions

Contact Information

fturner@osler.com

tel: 403.260.7017

Office

Calgary

Frank is Co-head of Osler’s Asia Pacific initiative and is the former National Co-Chair of the firm’s Corporate Group. Frank currently practices from the firm’s Calgary office in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He also serves as a leader of Osler’s emerging company practice in Alberta.  Frank routinely advises companies and other enterprises in the resource, financial services and technology sectors on matters involving acquisitions, dispositions, strategic alliances, governance and corporate finance. Frank has particular expertise advising clients in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world, including sovereign wealth funds, state-owned enterprises and public and private companies, on acquisitions and investments in Canada. Frank has previously worked in the firm’s New York and Toronto offices and has served on secondment with investment banks in both those cities (Morgan Stanley and BMO Nesbitt Burns).  Frank serves as a director on the boards of a number of public and private entities.  Frank has published numerous articles on investing in Canada and the Canadian Energy sector and often speaks on those topics. His leading expertise has been recognized by numerous publications including Chambers, Lexpert, International Financial Law Review (IFLR), and Best Lawyers.

    • Microsoft in its acquisition of Xandr
    • Microsoft in its acquisition of Two Hat
    • Suncor Energy Inc. in connection with the formation of Astisiy Limited Partnership to acquire TC Energy’s interest in the Northern Courier Pipeline Limited Partnership
    • M12 in Private AI’s $3.15 million seed funding round
    • Longbow Capital and BDC in Clir Renewables’ $27 million Series B financing
    • Suncor in its investment in Svante – a carbon capture technology company
    • Golder Associates Corporation in its $1.5 billion acquisition by WSP
    • MHR Fund Management LLC in Telesat Canada’s going public transaction
    • Suncor Energy Inc. in its takeover of day-to-day operations at Syncrude oil sands mining joint venture
    • Canada Infrastructure Bank in its $407.5 million loan to create additional irrigable acres in Alberta
    • Premium Near Beer Ltd. in its US$4 million Series A financing
    • Suncor in its US$15 million investment in LanzaTech
    • The Underwriters in Canadian Pacific Railway’s US$500 million offering
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of Mover
    • Interface Fluidics Limited in its $6 million Series A financing
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of Compulsion Games
    • Suncor in its acquisition of an equity interest in Canbriam Energy
    • Golder Associates Corporation in the acquisition of Pastor, Behling & Wheeler, LLC and in connection with various corporate, governance and transactional matters
    • TD Securities in its capacity as financial adviser to Kinder Morgan in the sale of the TransMountain Pipeline to the Federal Government of Canada
    • Syndicate of underwriters co-led by CIBC World Markets Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc. in Kinder Morgan Canada Limited's public offering of Series 3 Preferred Shares for $250 million
    • Syndicate of underwriters co-led by Scotia Capital Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and TD Securities Inc. in the $300 million public offering of preferred shares of Kinder Morgan Canada Limited
    • Syndicate of underwriters co-led by TD Securities Inc. and RBC Securities Inc. in Kinder Morgan Canada’s $1.75 billion IPO
    • MHR Fund Management LLC in its acquisition of a controlling interest in an Alberta corporation by way of subscriptions for preferred stock
    • Zephyr Sleep Technologies in its Series A financing
    • Start-Up Calgary in its strategic combination with Calgary Economic Development
    • Northern Silica Corporation in its acquisition of Heemskirk Consolidated Limited
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of Maluuba Inc
    • Yaletown Partners in the formation of Accelerate Fund II Limited Partnership, an early-stage venture capital fund in Calgary in which Alberta Enterprise Corporation invested as part of the fund’s formation
    • First Maximilian Associates Inc., in its sale of media properties, including the Banff Television Festival, to Brunico Communications Ltd
    • The Independent Committee of the Board of Directors of Husky Energy in its $1.7 billion disposition of midstream assets to related parties
    • Canadian Natural Resources Limited in its $1.8 billion sale of royalty properties to Prairie Sky Royalty Ltd. and subsequent plan of arrangement
    • Syndicate of underwriters in Birchcliff Energy’s $672 million financing
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of AppDepot Web Services
    • Microsoft Corporation, as Canadian counsel, in its €5.4 billion acquisition of Nokia Corporation’s devices and services business
    • The Gap, Inc. and Old Navy (Canada) Inc. in connection with a variety of Canadian governance, corporate and commercial matters
    • Blue Ant Media in its acquisition of the operating rights and intellectual property associated with the Polaris Music Prize
    • Hill-Rom Canada Respiratory Ltd., in its acquisition of Chestmaster Inc
    • URS Corporation in its $1.5 billion acquisition of Flint Energy Services Ltd
    • Thule Group of Sweden in its acquisition of Chariot Carriers
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of Datazen Holdings Inc
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of Inception Mobile Inc
    • Microsoft Corporation in its acquisition of InCycle Software
    • China Investment Corporation on its $1.26 billion investment in PennWest
    • Mongolia Minerals Corporation, based in Canada and operating principally in Mongolia and China, in its $160 million acquisition of joint venture interests and various other acquisitions, dispositions and financing activities as well as governance matters
    • Golden Crescent Investments Ltd., an affiliate of Egyptian-based Citadel Capital (now Qaala Holdings), in its proposed sale of National Petroleum Egypt Company Limited to Sea Dragon Energy Inc
    • Eastern Petroleum Limited and Spud Energy Pty. Limited (affiliates of Pakistani-based JS Group) in the reverse take-over of Jura Energy Corporation
    • Bukit Energy Inc., based in Singapore and operating principally in Indonesia, in connection with various M&A, financing and governance matters
    • Korea Investment Corporation in strategic investments in Canada
    • Buried Hill Energy, based in the U.K. and operating principally in Turkmenistan and The Gambia, on various M&A, financing and governance matters
    • Citadel Capital (now Qaala Holdings) and its portfolio company, National Oil Production Company S.A.E., based in Egypt, in the acquisition of Rally Energy and on various other projects and corporate and commercial matters
    • Dana Gas PJSC, based in the United Arab Emirates, in its acquisition of Centurian Energy International Inc
    • Killick Capital Inc. and its portfolio company, Avatas Aerospace, in a strategic investment by Alaris Royalty Corp. and in connection with various other corporate, governance and commercial matters
    • Black Gold Energy LLC, headquartered in Delaware and operating principally in Indonesia, in its acquisition by Niko Resources
    • Tristone Capital Global Inc. in its acquisition by Australian-based Macquarie Group
    • Fording Canadian Coal Trust in its $14 billion acquisition by Teck Cominco
    • Microsoft Corporation in connection with substantially all of its Canadian M&A activities including its acquisition of Opalis, Alacris, GeoTango, 90 Degree Software, AssetMetrix, DeepMetrix, Geodyssey and BigPark, its acquisition of the assets of Encore Business Solutions and Dundas DataVisualization, its disposition of assets to Greenfield Online, its strategic alliance with Ericsson and various other Canadian M&A activities; since 1999

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Corporate/Commercial (Alberta) (Band 1)
  • Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Corporate/M&A
    •  " 'exceptionally intelligent, very business-savvy and a superb negotiator' who is able to produce 'extraordinary results' for his clients."
    • "...[Frank] is a very accomplished M&A lawyer who gives excellent and practical advice."
    • "...Frank's technical knowledge is superb, and is complemented by a keen commercial sense, negotiating skills and ability to get things done efficiently and practically."
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Corporate Mid-Market
  • Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Corporate Governance Practice
  • IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: Recognized as Highly regarded, M&A
  • Who’s Who Legal Canada: Recognized in Canada - Capital Markets
  • Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders: Recognized in M&A and Governance
  • Legal 500: Recognized as a Recommended Lawyer, Corporate and M&A

  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Law Society of Alberta
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • International Bar Association
  • Inter Pacific Bar Association

  • Growth in Alberta Start-up Community Silver Lining of Commodity Downturn” – presented as part of Osler’s Breakfast Seminar Series, January 18, 2017.
  • “Growing Trends in Supply Chain Transparency – Measures to Combat Modern Slavery”, presented as part of Osler’s Breakfast Seminar Series – November 25, 2016, Presenter.
  • “Advice to an Emerging Ecosystem”, Start-up Calgary Launch Party, Panel Chair – November 17, 2016, Frank was joined by representatives from Microsoft, Silicon Valley Bank and Vanedge Capital.
  • Quoted: “Breaking Point”, Lexpert Energy Special Edition/Globe & Mail Report on Business, October 28, 2016, Anthony Davis.  Frank appeared on the cover of this publication.
  • Chaired panel on Emerging Investment Trends in Hong Kong, China and Asia, as part of the Hong Kong Canada Business Association National Conference, Calgary, June 3, 2016 (Panel Chair).
  • Quoted: Court ruling could have far-reaching implications for abandoned wells in Alberta, The Calgary Herald, June 2, 2016, Deborah Yedlin.
  • Chaired panel on Redwater Energy - Implications for Directors, part of the joint Osler/Deloitte series of seminars for directors, Calgary, June 1, 2016 (Panel Chair).
  • “Practical Considerations When Dealing with Bondholders and Other Creditors”– Calgary, April 19, 2016 (Panel Chair).
  • Quoted:  “Changing times, changing focus in Alberta”, The Lawyers Weekly, March 25, 2016, , Geoff Kirbyson.
  • “Investment in Canadian Oil & Gas – Time to Look Again?”, Inter-Pacific Bar Association Journal, March 2016.
  • “Lower for Longer – Boards will be challenged in 2016”, The Globe & Mail , January 29, 2016.
  • Quoted: “Canada’ oilpatch deal “famine”:  Alberta’s royalty review, uncertainty leave investors on edge” Financial Post, September 24, 2015, Yadullah Hussain.
  • Quoted:  “Dealmakers busy in a fragile oil market; The hunt for assets by dividend-paying companies is helping drive a wave of activity after a very lacklustre 2013”, National Post, October 2, 2014, Yadullah Hussain.
  • Quoted:  “Dynasty Gold Fights to Retain Assets in China”, Northern Miner, August 27th, 2014, Trish Saywell.
  • Follow the Money: Where to Invest in North America Energy, Bloomberg Canada Economic Summit, May 13, 2014 (Panel Participant).
  • Quoted:  “Mixed Expectations for Oil and Gas Mergers in 2014”, April 30, 2014,  National Post, Julius Melnitzer.
  • The Improving Climate for SEO Investment in Canada’s Resource Sector”, Acquisition International, April 2014.
  • Quoted: For China, an oil sands investment that can’t be blocked, March 11, 2014, The Globe & Mail, Nathan Vanderklippe.
  • “Changes, Challenges and Strategies for Chinese Investors in Canada’s Resource Sector”, Osler Seminar, Beijing and Hong Kong, February 2014 (Presenter).
  • Quoted: Osler Sees More Opportunities for PE & VC Funds in Canadian Financial Trends, PeHUB, January 20, 2014, Kirk Falconer.
  • Quoted: Billion Dollar empires in aisle four, Listed Magazine, December 16, 2013, Jim Middlemiss.
  • Quoted:  Demand for legal services reflects global economic activity, Best Lawyers Information Feature, The Globe and Mail, November 26, 2013.
  • Quoted: Canada’s slow oil, gas infrastructure development worry Chinese, minister says, The Globe and Mail, October 28, 2013, Shawn McCarthy.
  • “Big Law and the Future of M&A: Are Rumours of its Death Greatly Exaggerated”, Pipestone Conference, Banff, Alberta, October 2 – 4, 2013 (Moderator and Presenter).
  • Navigating Aboriginal Issues in Private Equity Transactions, Osler Update, September 30, 2013.
  • Quoted: SOE rules slow oil sands related investment, energy lawyers say, Financial Post, September 27, 2013, Yadullah Hussain.
  • The Australian Energy Sector – Lessons Learned, Joint Session with Corrs Chambers Westgarth, September 25, 2013 (Moderator and Presenter).
  • Quoted: Open for Business – some restrictions apply, The Calgary Herald, June 21, 2013, Brian Burton.
  • Mixed Results for Capital Markets in 2012, Introduction to Capital Markets Review, January 2013.
  • Asian Investment in Canada’s Resource Sector in 2012, Capital Markets Review, January 2013.
  • Mixed Messages: What does the Canadian government’s initial rejection of the Petronas/Progress deal signal for SOE investment, and CNOOC’s bid for Nexen?, International Financial Law Review, December/January 2013.
  • Quoted: Ottawa risks resources slowdown, The Globe and Mail, December 10, 2012, Shawn McCarthy.
  • Quoted: Now the bad news: Decision may jeopardize future investment in oilsands, The Calgary Herald, December 7, 2012, Deborah Yedlin.
  • Quoted: ‘Don’t hamstring energy deals with demands on China’, The Calgary Herald, November 30, 2012, Brian Burton.
  • Canada’s Petronas Rejection: miscommunication or new reality?, China Business Law Journal, November 2012.
  • Where Will the New Legal Jobs Be?, IBA Annual Conference, Dublin, October 2012 (Featured Speaker - Senior Lawyers Committee).
  • Quoted: Energy shares slide after Ottawa’s rejection of $5.9B Petronas bid for Progress Energy, Financial Post, October 21, 2012, Jameson Burkow.
  • Quoted: Petronas Move Spurs Fear of Investor Chill, Globe and Mail, October 21, 2012, Shawn McCarthy/Boyd Erman.
  • Quoted: Legal Experts Say Petronas Rejection Could Have Chilling Effect, The Wall Street Journal, October 22, 2012, Paul Vieira.
  • Quoted: Art of the Deal: What is it really like working on an energy deal? A look at how URS Corporation acquired Flint Energy Services Ltd. for $1.25 billion, Lexpert Magazine, September 2012, Marzena Czarnecka. Frank Turner was featured further through his appearance on Lexpert’s cover.
  • Quoted: Foreign Buyers Bound to Draw More Scrutiny, Financial Post, March 6, 2012, Peter Koven.
  • Foreign Investment in Canada – One Year After Potash Corporation, Capital Markets Review, 2012.
  • M&A Activity in the Pipeline Sector and the Politics of Moving Hydrocarbons,  Capital Markets Review, 2012.
  • Foreign Investment in the Natural Resource Sector in the Wake of Potash, Capital Markets Review, 2011.
  • The Mid-Market Remains the Main Driver of Canadian M&A Activity, Capital Markets Review, 2011.
  • Quoted: Business of Law, The Calgary Herald, June 22, 2011, Brian Burton.
  • Quoted: The Lights are on 24/7 for New Generation, The Calgary Herald, June 14, 2011, Brian Burton.
  • Quoted: Black Gold Rush, The American Lawyer, November 2010, Julie Triedman.
  • Developments in Canadian Securities Law – Defensive Tactics and Shareholder Rights Plans, Canadian Legislation Guide, 21st Anniversary Edition of the International Financial Law Review 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms.