Lawyer Profile
Desmond M. Balakrishnan
Vancouver, British Columbia
Overview
Desmond Balakrishnan is an experienced capital markets and securities lawyer with extensive experience advising clients in the cannabis, gaming, entertainment, hospitality, and food, beverage and agribusiness sectors. He is one of the leading lawyers in Canada in cannabis and gaming law and is recognized in numerous legal directories for his work in these industries.
With a broad scope of expertise, Desmond advises on private equity investments, public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and listed company maintenance. He also acts as counsel on new issues and listings on all Canadian stock exchanges and interlistings with several international exchanges. He is the national leader of McMillan’s Cannabis and Gaming groups.
Strong Roots in Stormy Weather: Federal Government Affirms Commitment to Legalize Cannabis by July 2018 in Light of Premier Uncertainty
On January 16, 2025, Great Canadian Gaming Corporate completed its previously announced definitive agreements to sell Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino Victoria to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd., a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation.
On May 13, 2024, Max Resource Corp. entered into an Earn-In Agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc, relating to Max’s wholly owned Cesar Copper-Silver Project in northwestern Columbia.
On November 7, 2022, Avcorp Industries Inc. (TSX:AVP) (“Avcorp”) closed its CAD$139 million acquisition by Latécoère S.A. (“Latécoère”). The acquisition was affected by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act, pursuant to which Latécoère acquired all the issued and outstanding common shares of Avcorp for considerations of $0.11 in cash per share.
In August 2022, McMillan’s Insolvency Litigation group obtained court approval of the plan of arrangement, which was necessary to address a payment default under a debenture.
McMillan acted for Sun Valley Investments LLC (“Sun Valley”) in connection with its opposition to the management and business direction of Canagold Resources Ltd. (TSX: CCM) (“Canagold”) and its proxy fight to change the board of directors by nominating a slate of three independent directors for election at Canagold’s Annual and Special General Meeting.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1998 (BC)