Partner
For almost 20 years, clients have trusted Aaron to deliver strategic solutions for their critical business transactions.
Aaron’s practice focuses on public and private mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities, and corporate governance. Canadian and international corporations, underwriters and investors spanning a wide range of industry sectors – including mining, life sciences and financial services – count on Aaron for his business-minded and results-oriented approach to their complex legal issues.
A seasoned and strategic practitioner, Aaron has advised on some of the country’s most high-profile domestic and cross-border transactions, including contested matters such as unsolicited takeover bids and proxy contests, as well as financing transactions, negotiated acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships.
Well versed in corporate governance, Aaron is regularly called upon to advise boards and board special committees on transactional matters as well as internal investigations and complex governance issues.
Partner
For almost 20 years, clients have trusted Aaron to deliver strategic solutions for their critical business transactions.
Aaron’s practice focuses on public and private mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and securities, and corporate governance. Canadian and international corporations, underwriters and investors spanning a wide range of industry sectors – including mining, life sciences and financial services – count on Aaron for his business-minded and results-oriented approach to their complex legal issues.
A seasoned and strategic practitioner, Aaron has advised on some of the country’s most high-profile domestic and cross-border transactions, including contested matters such as unsolicited takeover bids and proxy contests, as well as financing transactions, negotiated acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships.
Well versed in corporate governance, Aaron is regularly called upon to advise boards and board special committees on transactional matters as well as internal investigations and complex governance issues.
Mantle Ridge LP
Acted for Mantle Ridge LP in its accumulation of a material equity stake in Aramark and subsequent agreement with Aramark providing for the appointment of 6 new directors, including John Zillmer who was also appointed CEO, and Paul Hilal, founder and CEO of Mantle Ridge LP, who was also appointed as Vice Chairman of the board.
BMO Capital Markets
Acted for BMO Capital Markets in connection with substantial issuer bids by each of Power Corporation and Power Financial Corporation by way of a modified Dutch auction.
Lundin Mining Corporation
Acted for Lundin Mining Corporation in its A$4.3-million subscription for 14.3% of the shares of PolarX Limited, which secures an option for Lundin Mining to earn a 51% interest in PolarX's Stellar Project by staged spending of US$24 million on exploration and staged payments to PolarX of US$20 million over three years.
M&G Investment Management Limited
Acted for M&G Investment Management Limited, a U.K.-based investment manager with US$338 billion of assets under management, in its proxy campaign with respect to Methanex Corporation at the company's 2019 annual general meeting. The contest was successfully settled with M&G gaining two seats on the board of Methanex.
Davies Governance Insights 2019, contributor
Oct. 03, 2019 - Davies Governance Insights 2019 is a comprehensive report that analyzes the governance trends and issues most important to Canadian public companies. Now in its ninth edition, Governance Insights is designed to be a playbook for navigating the diverse and complex challenges facing...
May 06, 2019 - A recent decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court in Russell v Synex International Inc. (Synex) validated a dissident’s floor nomination and the subsequent election of an entirely new board. Notably, the dissident cast his votes using the authority given to him by...
Moderator, 13D Monitor, Active-Passive Investor Summit, “Serving on a Board as a Result of an Activist's Initiative”; New York, NY
Apr. 16, 2019
The InterOil Saga Continues: Yukon Court of Appeal Asked to Rule on “Fair Value”
Mar. 21, 2019 - ExxonMobil has filed a notice of appeal to the Yukon Court of Appeal, appealing the lower court’s decision in Carlock v ExxonMobil Canada Holdings ULC. In the decision under appeal, the Yukon Supreme Court sided with dissenting shareholders in determining that the fair value of an InterOil...
Canadian Court Awards Significant Premium to Negotiated Deal Price in Determining “Fair Value”
Feb. 27, 2019 - Note: On March 18, 2019, ExxonMobil filed a notice of appeal to the Yukon Court of Appeal. We will be watching the progress of the appeal and will report on the decision once it is released. The 2017 acquisition of InterOil by ExxonMobil continues to generate cases of interest to M&A participants...
The Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators, 2017 National Business Valuation Conference, “Dual Class Share Structures and Double-Edged Swords: Observations on Value and Governance”; Québec City, QC
June 15, 2017
The Canadian Investor Relations Institute, “Responding to an Activist Shareholder: The Playbook”; Toronto, ON
Jan. 26, 2016
Activist Investing in Canada 2015 Conference, “Proxy Contests and Hostile Take-Over Bids in Canada: A Look at the Facts”; Toronto, ON
Oct. 06, 2015
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, Directors Source Webinar Series, “Special Committees: Bulletproofing Your Process”; Toronto, ON
Oct. 30, 2013
Canadian Bar Association, “Panel on Shareholder Activism”; Montréal, QC
Sept. 23, 2013
Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/Commercial: Ontario
IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Mergers and Acquisitions
Report on Business/Lexpert Special Edition Canada’s Leading Corporate Lawyers
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Finance and Securities; Corporate Mid-Market; Mergers and Acquisitions; Mining; Private Equity
The Best Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Governance Practice; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Law
Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40
Ontario, 2001
University of Windsor, LLB (Gold Medallist), 1999
University of Windsor, BA (Hons), 1996
Aaron was previously an instructor of Corporate Finance and M&A at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. He also taught “Mergers and Acquisitions: Emerging Strategies and Regulatory Issues” for the Intensive Course in Canadian Securities Law and Practice, part of Osgoode Hall Law School’s Professional Development Program.
