Don is a seasoned M&A lawyer, having worked on transactions totaling around $1 billion of value to date. Don has successfully represented a very large number of business owners over a broad range of industries giving him an incredible depth of experience in M&A transactions. This depth of experience allows Don to provide sophisticated legal advice, anticipating and avoiding challenges and protecting clients from the pitfalls inherent in complex and sophisticated business sale and purchase transactions. But Don’s work does not stop there. In addition to M&A transactions, Don assists our clients with shareholder disputes, corporate reorganizations and general corporate matters.
Our clients regard Don highly for his expertise, responsiveness, and ability to explain complex legal issues in a clear and comprehensive manner, enabling them to make the best decisions possible based on grounded and timely advice. Don establishes key business strategies in advance of negotiations and advocates for those positions powerfully to accomplish our clients’ goals.
While Don routinely acts in the purchase and sale of some of the largest companies in British Columbia, his experience and expertise is accessible, whether a business is worth $100M or under $2M. Don’s role depends on the nature of the transaction and the budget. For larger and more complex matters, Don’s role will be very hands-on. For other transactions, Don will provide comprehensive conceptual oversight and lead the negotiating strategy, but day-to-day management and document drafting can be handled by lawyers at the appropriate level of experience under Don’s supervision, ensuring a cost-effective result. By choosing Don for the M&A transaction, our clients will receive high-quality legal services regardless of transaction size.
Don’s education (having a double degree, one in business and one in law) allows him to apply his knowledge of business and law for the benefit of our clients. Furthermore, having been involved in a successful business himself, Don understands the business owner’s mindset and fully appreciates the demands of managing and growing a company. From business start-up to business succession, Don employs legal strategies that help our clients succeed in business, while minimizing business risk.
Work Highlights
Roofing and Insulation Industry
- Acted for the owners in the sale of the business
Heavy Duty Truck Dealership
- Acted for the owner in the sale of the business to a competitor
Online Employment Service Provider
- Acted for the company in the sale of the business to a US buyer
Services
| Mergers and acquisitions and business succession planning | Incorporation of new businesses |
| General corporate and commercial law | Restructuring |
| Private company transactions | Private equity |
| Shareholder rights |
Don is also a contributor to the corporate community as a:
- Leader on the editorial board of the Due Diligence Deskbook, an authoritative guide for lawyers who practice in the M&A field
- Frequent lecturer on business succession planning and M&A. He has established a renowned seminar series on these topics
Don is the editor for our Business Succession Update. Articles for this newsletter cover topics related to business succession. This newsletter is valuable to anyone looking to buy and/or sell a company. The articles in this complementary newsletter are available for viewing through subscription only. Subscribe here.
Awards & Distinctions
- Appointed King's Counsel, 2023
- Best Lawyers® in Canada, Corporate Law, 2022-2025
