SEMAFO Inc.
Acted as counsel to SEMAFO Inc. in its US$2.1-billion business combination with Endeavour Mining Corporation by way of plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Québec).
Aaron J. Atkinson
Partner
Expertise
Bar Admissions
- Ontario, 2001
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.
Aaron J. Atkinson
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.
BMO Capital Markets
Acting for BMO Capital Markets, in its fairness opinion to the board of directors of Equinox Gold Corp., regarding its plan of arrangement with Leagold Mining Corporation.
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.
In the News
Aaron Atkinson Discusses the Future of Hostile Bids with The Globe and Mail
June 18, 2020 - Following the recent publication of Davies’ report, The Hostile Bid Is Dead. Long Live the Hostile Bid?, The Globe and Mail featured partner and author Aaron Atkinson for his insights on what lies ahead for Canadian public M&A activity in the post-pandemic world. The Davies report...
Guide
The Hostile Bid Is Dead. Long Live the Hostile Bid?
June 15, 2020 - With much of the world focused on the immediacy of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its heavy human and economic toll, we have cast our eyes optimistically on the (near, we hope) future when companies regain sufficient confidence to re-enter the public M&A market in large numbers. Although...
In the News
Aaron Atkinson Highlights Need for Improved Corporate Communications in Globe and Mail Op-ed
Jan. 02, 2020 - In an op-ed published in The Globe and Mail, Davies partner Aaron Atkinson sets out communications strategies that boards and management teams can adopt to avoid corporate scandal and promote better decision-making. Read the full article.
Speaking Engagement
Osgoode Professional Development, Advising the Public Company Board of Directors, “Shareholder Activism & Engagement: Strategies and Approaches”; Toronto, ON
Oct. 22, 2019
Guide
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...
Speaking Engagement
Osgoode Professional Development, Intensive Course in Canadian Securities Law and Practice, “Mergers & Acquisitions—The Essentials and Emerging Issues”; Toronto, ON
June 12, 2019
Bulletin
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...
Speaking Engagement
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
Bulletin
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...
Bulletin
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...
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
The Legal 500 Canada—Corporate and M&A (Recommended); Energy and Natural Resources: Mining (Recommended)
The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Mid-Market; Mergers and Acquisitions
Lexpert Special Edition: Agribusiness and Cannabis
Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A
Lexpert Special Edition: Mining
Lexpert Special Edition: Technology
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Commercial Law (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Finance and Securities; Corporate Mid-Market (Most Frequently Recommended); Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Frequently Recommended); Mining; Private Equity
The Best Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Governance Practice; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Law
Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40
Bar Admissions
Ontario, 2001
Education
University of Windsor, LLB (Gold Medallist), 1999
University of Windsor, BA (Hons), 1996
Teaching Engagements
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.
