Commercial

We take an innovative and strategic approach to helping clients achieve their business goals. By collaborating with a range of professionals including accountants, specialized tax counsel and financial advisors, we maximize efficiencies and minimize risk.

We assist clients with general commercial work, including:

• business structuring for corporations, trusts, partnerships, limited partnerships and joint ventures;
• acquisitions and divestitures, including share purchase and asset purchase transactions;
• governance for corporations, trusts and partnerships, including regular records office and filing tasks, advising on shareholder disputes, and advising on possible director’s liability issues;
• commercial contract drafting, including leases, licensing agreements, service contracts, employment agreements, and sale, distribution and manufacturing agreements;
• financing and investment, for both lenders and borrowers.

Intellectual Property, Technology, and Entertainment and Gaming

Rapid changes in technology require the entertainment and gaming industries to adapt to ever evolving regulations and industry trends. Our clients include software developers, advertising businesses, e-finance companies, and social media platforms.

We assist with business agreements, employment contracts, intellectual property, licensing agreements, terms and conditions of use, franchise agreements, and purchase and sale of intellectual property rights. We also make sure that copyright, trademark and patent rights comply with consumer protection, privacy, and e-commerce laws, which strongly impact online businesses.

Franchising

Canadian businesses are increasingly turning to a franchise model to market their products and services in a competitive environment. We represent both franchisors and franchisees at all stages of the franchising arrangement, including negotiating and drafting franchise agreements and distribution contracts, assisting with day-to-day business matters, reporting requirements, and changes in operation, and advising on disputes and strategic opportunities.

Financing

We help lenders understand their financing options and how to minimize risks. We have experience with acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, multi-jurisdictional financings, development project financings, and commercial vessel and aircraft financing, in all stages of the process including renegotiating and amending financing arrangements.

When it comes to borrowing, each client has a unique set of circumstances. We assist with traditional financing, as well as with the financing of unique assets, including specialized equipment, commercial vessels and goodwill. We have a focus on specialized business, including commercial real estate, unionized businesses, and natural resource providers.

Mergers & Acquisitions and Reorganizations

With extensive mergers and acquisitions and divestitures experience in B.C. and across multiple jurisdictions, we advise on restructurings, competitive bids, joint ventures, reorganizations, amalgamations and other legal services affecting businesses in transition. We help clients navigate complex regulatory requirements and contested transactions to minimize risks and avoid future disputes.

Government Relations

A well-managed relationship with government can be crucial to the success of a business. Whether at the federal, provincial or municipal level, we help clients understand the governmental mechanisms that affect their business, and help them build and maintain strong relations with relevant departments and agencies.