Overview

Derek has “the ability to concentrate on the real issues” and is “very practical, hard-working, diligent and a pleasure to work with.”

Derek advises clients on a broad range of corporate matters, including corporate finance, banking, private equity, public-private partnership transactions, corporate reorganizations and general corporate matters. He works in close partnership with his clients, advising banks, private equity firms, manufacturing and service businesses of all sizes – in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. Furthermore, Derek has significant expertise in advising clients on major syndicated credit facilities, acting for both borrowers and lenders. He regularly consults on public-private infrastructure projects.

Derek teaches the Advanced Business Law course at Osgoode Hall Law School and has also lectured at Western University and University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

Acted for Birch Hill Equity Partners and Brookfield Asset Management in their C$2.9-billion acquisition (and related financing) of First National Financial Corporation, one of Canada’s largest non-bank mortgage originators and underwriters.

Acted for Mastermind Toys, the largest independent specialty toy and children's book retailer in Canada, in its proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and sale of substantially all of its assets.

Acted for funds affiliated with Ironbridge Equity Partners in the acquisition and related financing of Gardner Glass Products, Inc., a North Carolina-based company that manufactures and distributes tempered, mirrored, backpainted, and laminated glass products.

Acted for Ironbridge Equity Partners in its acquisition (and related financing) of the Gesco Group of Companies, a leading specialty distributor of floor covering solutions across Canada, pursuant to a sale proceeding conducted under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

Acted for Ironbridge Equity Partners in its acquisition and related financing of Walker Glass Company Ltd., a Montréal-based company that manufactures mirror and acid etch-glazing substrates.

Practice Areas

• Banking/Finance
• Corporate & Commercial Law
• Securities

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1998 (ON)