Patricia L. Olasker

Partner

Patricia Olasker

Patricia L. Olasker

Partner

“She blends exceptional legal talent with an acute understanding of her clients’ business needs. She has an extremely sophisticated understanding of regulatory issues, terrific problem solving skills and the uncanny ability to anticipate potential problems down the road and ward them off.”
Client – Chambers Canada 2017

Patricia acts on many of Canada’s most complex mergers and acquisitions. Acquirers, targets and investors, in Canada and abroad, rely on her unparalleled expertise. She was lead counsel for Burger King Worldwide Inc. in its US$12.5-billion acquisition of Tim Hortons and for McKesson Corporation in its $3-billion acquisition of Rexall.

Clients appreciate Patricia’s extensive experience in advising parties on both sides of shareholder activism issues. Boards of directors, special committees and activist shareholders regularly consult her on their corporate governance and transaction-specific matters. She acted as lead counsel for Pershing Square Capital Management in its landmark campaign to change the board and management of Canadian Pacific Railway.

Known for her ability to develop innovative financing instruments, Patricia advises clients on public market derivatives and structured debt and equity products.

An adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, Patricia teaches the Advanced Business Law Workshop on mergers and acquisitions and the Regulation of the Canadian Cannabis Industry course. She is the founder of AIDSbeat, the Toronto legal community’s largest charity event.

Patricia L. Olasker

Partner

“She blends exceptional legal talent with an acute understanding of her clients’ business needs. She has an extremely sophisticated understanding of regulatory issues, terrific problem solving skills and the uncanny ability to anticipate potential problems down the road and ward them off.”
Client – Chambers Canada 2017

Patricia acts on many of Canada’s most complex mergers and acquisitions. Acquirers, targets and investors, in Canada and abroad, rely on her unparalleled expertise. She was lead counsel for Burger King Worldwide Inc. in its US$12.5-billion acquisition of Tim Hortons and for McKesson Corporation in its $3-billion acquisition of Rexall.

Clients appreciate Patricia’s extensive experience in advising parties on both sides of shareholder activism issues. Boards of directors, special committees and activist shareholders regularly consult her on their corporate governance and transaction-specific matters. She acted as lead counsel for Pershing Square Capital Management in its landmark campaign to change the board and management of Canadian Pacific Railway.

Known for her ability to develop innovative financing instruments, Patricia advises clients on public market derivatives and structured debt and equity products.

An adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, Patricia teaches the Advanced Business Law Workshop on mergers and acquisitions and the Regulation of the Canadian Cannabis Industry course. She is the founder of AIDSbeat, the Toronto legal community’s largest charity event.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Acted for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in its joint topping bid with Pan American Silver Corp. for the acquisition of Yamana Gold Inc., pursuant to which Pan American acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana and Agnico Eagle acquired Yamana's Canadian assets (including its interest in the Canadian Malartic mine).

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Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Acted for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in its all-cash acquisition of TMAC Resources Inc. by way of assignment to Agnico Eagle from Shandong Gold of an arrangement agreement between Shandong Gold and TMAC pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). The transaction had a total equity value of approximately C$287 million and, in connection with the acquisition, Agnico Eagle also retired TMAC's outstanding debt and deferred interest of approximately US$135 million.

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Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

Acted for Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. in connection with Pentwater Capital Management's activist campaign and proxy contest with respect to Turquoise Hill's contested 2020 annual and special meeting.

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Syndicate of Underwriters

Acted for a syndicate of underwriters, led by BofA Securities, Credit Suisse and Scotiabank, on the US$250-million initial public offering of Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp, a gold-focused streaming and royalty company offering bespoke financing solutions to the metals and mining industry and backed by Elliott Management. This 2021 offering is Canada's largest mining-related IPO in nine years.

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TransAlta Corporation

Acted for TransAlta Corporation in the strategic partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners, and the associated $750-million investment by Brookfield in TransAlta to advance TransAlta's transition to clean energy. The investment will occur in two tranches (i) $350 million in the form of exchangeable debentures at first closing expected in May 2019; and (ii) $400 million in the form of redeemable preferred shares at second closing expected in October 2020.

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TransAlta Corporation

Acted for TransAlta Corporation in connection with the activist campaign, threatened proxy contest and contested meeting by Mangrove Partners and Bluescape Energy Partners with respect to TransAlta's 2019 annual and special meeting.

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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.

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BMO Capital Markets

Acted as Canadian and U.S. counsel to BMO Capital Markets in an at-the-market equity offering by cannabis company Organigram Holdings Inc. in Canada and the United States under the multijurisdictional disclosure system.

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CIBC Capital Markets and Eight Capital

Acted for CIBC Capital Markets and Eight Capital as joint bookrunners, in the public offering of approximately $55 million of subordinated voting shares of Canopy Rivers Inc., an investment and operating platform structured to pursue investment opportunities in the emerging global cannabis sector, and the concurrent private placement, on an agency basis, of $30 million of subordinated voting shares of Canopy Rivers to Canopy Growth Corporation.

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Shareholders of MedReleaf Corp.

Advised the shareholders of MedReleaf Corp. in catalyzing the sale of MedReleaf to Aurora Cannabis Inc., bringing together two of Canada's largest cannabis companies, in an all-share transaction valued at approximately $3.2 billion.

Bulletin
Mobile Content:

OBCA Changes Could Be Used to Restrict Shareholder Rights

Apr. 28, 2023 - The Ontario government introduced an omnibus bill (Bill 91) on April 3, 2023 that proposes both welcome and concerning amendments to the Ontario Business Corporations Act’s (OBCA) regulation of shareholder meetings. The inclusion of a provision that authorizes corporations to limit the...

In the News
Mobile Content:

Forbes Interviews Patricia Olasker

Oct. 03, 2022 - Interviewed for Forbes, Patricia Olasker shares her perspectives on the role of activist investors in capital markets, the value she brings in representing both activists and the companies in which they invest, as well as how she came to be one of the few women lawyers in shareholder...

In the News
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10 Years After: The Proxy Contest at Pacific Railway Reverberates to This Day

June 09, 2022 - In this article originally published in Insightia Monthly, Patricia Olasker and Aaron Atkinson, who acted on opposing sides of the Pershing Square/Canadian Pacific proxy contest, reflect on the lasting impact of the landmark event a decade on. Download the article.

Bulletin
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If It Ain’t Broke… Davies Comments on Draft Capital Markets Act

Feb. 25, 2022 - Davies has submitted a comprehensive comment letter on a new Capital Markets Act (CMA) proposed by the Ontario Ministry of Finance, on the recommendation of the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce, to replace the Ontario Securities Act. Although some modifications to Ontario...

Guide
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Davies Governance Insights 2020, contributor

Oct. 05, 2020 - Davies Governance Insights 2020 provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends and developments that have shaped the corporate governance landscape and those that are expected to define the next decade. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s report explores key issues...

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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/M&A (Band 1)

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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/Commercial: Ontario (Band 1)

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IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Capital Markets: Equity; Mergers and Acquisitions

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IFLR1000: Women Leaders—Capital Markets: Equity; Mergers & Acquisitions

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The Legal 500 Canada—Capital Markets (Leading Individual); Corporate and M&A (Hall of Fame)

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WXN—Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award (2009 and 2017)

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Canadian Lawyer Magazine—Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers: Corporate-Commercial Law

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The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Finance and Securities; Corporate Commercial; Mergers and Acquisitions

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Lexpert Special Edition: Agribusiness and Cannabis

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Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

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Lexpert Special Edition: Mining

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Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Mergers & Acquisitions

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Lexpert Zenith Award—Celebrating Women Leaders in the Legal Profession

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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Finance and Securities (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Commercial Law (Most Frequently Recommended); Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Frequently Recommended); Mining

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Lexpert Magazine—Canada’s Top 25 Women Lawyers

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The Best Lawyers in Canada—Cannabis Law; Corporate Governance Practice; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Lawyer of the Year 2020, Toronto); Mining Law; Securities Law

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Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Capital Markets; Corporate Governance (Most Highly Regarded); Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Highly Regarded); Mining; Who’s Who Legal: Capital Markets—Debt and Equity; Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance—Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Governance (Global Elite Thought Leader); Who’s Who Legal: Mining; Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders—Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Governance; Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders Global Elite—Corporate Governance

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Expert Guides’ Women in Business Law; Expert Guides—Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A

Bar Admissions
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Ontario, 1979

Education
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University of California, Berkeley, LLM, 1981 (ABT)
Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 1977

Board Memberships
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Royal Ontario Museum, Board of Governors, Vice-Chair
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, Vice-Chair
Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Association Board, President

Community Involvement
Mobile Content:

AIDSbeat, founder and chair
Canadian Bar Association, Business Law Section, Executive Committee of the Securities Law Subcommittee, former member
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, Executive Committee
Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, former governor
Ontario Securities Commission, CEO Advisory Council
Ontario Securities Commission, Securities Advisory Committee, former chair

Teaching Engagements
Mobile Content:

Since 2002, Patricia has been an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, where she teaches the Advanced Business Law Workshop on mergers and acquisitions and the Regulation of the Canadian Cannabis Industry course.

“She blends exceptional legal talent with an acute understanding of her clients’ business needs. She has an extremely sophisticated understanding of regulatory issues, terrific problem solving skills and the uncanny ability to anticipate potential problems down the road and ward them off.”
Client – Chambers Canada 2017

Patricia acts on many of Canada’s most complex mergers and acquisitions. Acquirers, targets and investors, in Canada and abroad, rely on her unparalleled expertise. She was lead counsel for Burger King Worldwide Inc. in its US$12.5-billion acquisition of Tim Hortons and for McKesson Corporation in its $3-billion acquisition of Rexall.

Clients appreciate Patricia’s extensive experience in advising parties on both sides of shareholder activism issues. Boards of directors, special committees and activist shareholders regularly consult her on their corporate governance and transaction-specific matters. She acted as lead counsel for Pershing Square Capital Management in its landmark campaign to change the board and management of Canadian Pacific Railway.

Known for her ability to develop innovative financing instruments, Patricia advises clients on public market derivatives and structured debt and equity products.

An adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, Patricia teaches the Advanced Business Law Workshop on mergers and acquisitions and the Regulation of the Canadian Cannabis Industry course. She is the founder of AIDSbeat, the Toronto legal community’s largest charity event.

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Acted for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in its joint topping bid with Pan American Silver Corp. for the acquisition of Yamana Gold Inc., pursuant to which Pan American acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Yamana and Agnico Eagle acquired Yamana's Canadian assets (including its interest in the Canadian Malartic mine).

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Acted for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited in its all-cash acquisition of TMAC Resources Inc. by way of assignment to Agnico Eagle from Shandong Gold of an arrangement agreement between Shandong Gold and TMAC pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). The transaction had a total equity value of approximately C$287 million and, in connection with the acquisition, Agnico Eagle also retired TMAC's outstanding debt and deferred interest of approximately US$135 million.

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

Acted for Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. in connection with Pentwater Capital Management's activist campaign and proxy contest with respect to Turquoise Hill's contested 2020 annual and special meeting.

Syndicate of Underwriters

Acted for a syndicate of underwriters, led by BofA Securities, Credit Suisse and Scotiabank, on the US$250-million initial public offering of Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp, a gold-focused streaming and royalty company offering bespoke financing solutions to the metals and mining industry and backed by Elliott Management. This 2021 offering is Canada's largest mining-related IPO in nine years.

TransAlta Corporation

Acted for TransAlta Corporation in the strategic partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners, and the associated $750-million investment by Brookfield in TransAlta to advance TransAlta's transition to clean energy. The investment will occur in two tranches (i) $350 million in the form of exchangeable debentures at first closing expected in May 2019; and (ii) $400 million in the form of redeemable preferred shares at second closing expected in October 2020.

TransAlta Corporation

Acted for TransAlta Corporation in connection with the activist campaign, threatened proxy contest and contested meeting by Mangrove Partners and Bluescape Energy Partners with respect to TransAlta's 2019 annual and special meeting.

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.

BMO Capital Markets

Acted as Canadian and U.S. counsel to BMO Capital Markets in an at-the-market equity offering by cannabis company Organigram Holdings Inc. in Canada and the United States under the multijurisdictional disclosure system.

CIBC Capital Markets and Eight Capital

Acted for CIBC Capital Markets and Eight Capital as joint bookrunners, in the public offering of approximately $55 million of subordinated voting shares of Canopy Rivers Inc., an investment and operating platform structured to pursue investment opportunities in the emerging global cannabis sector, and the concurrent private placement, on an agency basis, of $30 million of subordinated voting shares of Canopy Rivers to Canopy Growth Corporation.

Shareholders of MedReleaf Corp.

Advised the shareholders of MedReleaf Corp. in catalyzing the sale of MedReleaf to Aurora Cannabis Inc., bringing together two of Canada's largest cannabis companies, in an all-share transaction valued at approximately $3.2 billion.

Bulletin

OBCA Changes Could Be Used to Restrict Shareholder Rights

Apr. 28, 2023 - The Ontario government introduced an omnibus bill (Bill 91) on April 3, 2023 that proposes both welcome and concerning amendments to the Ontario Business Corporations Act’s (OBCA) regulation of shareholder meetings. The inclusion of a provision that authorizes corporations to limit the...

In the News

Forbes Interviews Patricia Olasker

Oct. 03, 2022 - Interviewed for Forbes, Patricia Olasker shares her perspectives on the role of activist investors in capital markets, the value she brings in representing both activists and the companies in which they invest, as well as how she came to be one of the few women lawyers in shareholder...

Bulletin

If It Ain’t Broke… Davies Comments on Draft Capital Markets Act

Feb. 25, 2022 - Davies has submitted a comprehensive comment letter on a new Capital Markets Act (CMA) proposed by the Ontario Ministry of Finance, on the recommendation of the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce, to replace the Ontario Securities Act. Although some modifications to Ontario...

Guide

Davies Governance Insights 2020, contributor

Oct. 05, 2020 - Davies Governance Insights 2020 provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends and developments that have shaped the corporate governance landscape and those that are expected to define the next decade. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s report explores key issues...

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/M&A (Band 1)

Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/Commercial: Ontario (Band 1)

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Capital Markets: Equity; Mergers and Acquisitions

IFLR1000: Women Leaders—Capital Markets: Equity; Mergers & Acquisitions

The Legal 500 Canada—Capital Markets (Leading Individual); Corporate and M&A (Hall of Fame)

WXN—Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award (2009 and 2017)

Canadian Lawyer Magazine—Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers: Corporate-Commercial Law

The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Finance and Securities; Corporate Commercial; Mergers and Acquisitions

Lexpert Special Edition: Agribusiness and Cannabis

Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

Lexpert Special Edition: Mining

Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Mergers & Acquisitions

Lexpert Zenith Award—Celebrating Women Leaders in the Legal Profession

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Corporate Finance and Securities (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Commercial Law (Most Frequently Recommended); Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Frequently Recommended); Mining

Lexpert Magazine—Canada’s Top 25 Women Lawyers

The Best Lawyers in Canada—Cannabis Law; Corporate Governance Practice; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Lawyer of the Year 2020, Toronto); Mining Law; Securities Law

Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Capital Markets; Corporate Governance (Most Highly Regarded); Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Highly Regarded); Mining; Who’s Who Legal: Capital Markets—Debt and Equity; Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance—Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Governance (Global Elite Thought Leader); Who’s Who Legal: Mining; Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders—Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Governance; Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders Global Elite—Corporate Governance

Expert Guides’ Women in Business Law; Expert Guides—Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A

Bar Admissions

Ontario, 1979

Education

University of California, Berkeley, LLM, 1981 (ABT)
Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 1977

Board Memberships

Royal Ontario Museum, Board of Governors, Vice-Chair
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, Vice-Chair
Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Association Board, President

Community Involvement

AIDSbeat, founder and chair
Canadian Bar Association, Business Law Section, Executive Committee of the Securities Law Subcommittee, former member
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, Executive Committee
Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, former governor
Ontario Securities Commission, CEO Advisory Council
Ontario Securities Commission, Securities Advisory Committee, former chair

Teaching Engagements

Since 2002, Patricia has been an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, where she teaches the Advanced Business Law Workshop on mergers and acquisitions and the Regulation of the Canadian Cannabis Industry course.