WWW.LEXPERT.CA
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2016/17
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LEXPERT 9
think the air would be ripe with the scent of hostile take-
over bids. Wrong.
"ere's a reluctance for people to go hostile period
because it's a higher-risk scenario," says Gordon Cham-
bers, a Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP partner in Van-
couver who oen advises miners. "What happens if a
white knight comes in and you lose? You lose some cred-
ibility, it may be a bit embarrassing.
"Besides, hostiles only make sense if you believe val-
ues have come to a landing point — why should I buy
today if it may be cheaper tomorrow ? Unless you've got
confidence it's hit bottom and started to turn, so I know
what the values are, why should I commit my time and
resources to making an acquisition of any kind?"
It's not as though deals have completely dried up, says
Jeremy Fraiberg, Co-chair of the mergers and acquisi-
tions group in the Toronto office of Osler, Hoskin &
Harcourt LLP. ey're just not the massive headline-
grabbers of old.
e only 2015‒2016 deals involving Canadian com-
panies that surpassed the billion-dollar mark were Tahoe
Resources Inc. and its US$1-billion purchase of Rio Alto
Mining Ltd. and Barrick Gold Corp.'s $1-billion sale of
its 50 per cent interest in Zaldivar. Everything else has
been in the millions.
LEXPERT-RANKED LAWYERS
Benoit, Patrice Gowling WLG
(514) 392-9550 patrice.benoit@gowlingwlg.com
Mr. Benoit specializes in corporate restructuring, insolvency and commer-
cial litigation. He represents financial institutions, venture-capital corpora-
tions, accounting firms, trustees, trade creditors, and various companies.
He works in all insolvency-related fields, including corporate restructuring
and corporate reorganization. He appears before the Superior Court
and the Court of Appeal of Québec.
Bergner, Keith B. Lawson Lundell LLP
(604) 631-9119 kbergner@lawsonlundell.com
Mr. Bergner is a recognized authority on Aboriginal law and related environ-
mental and regulatory processes. He has extensive experience relating
to major natural resource projects in various industries, including mining,
hydroelectric generation and transmission, oil & gas, LNG, pipelines,
infrastructure and transportation projects. His project development
practice extends throughout Canada.
Bigué, AdE, Ann Dentons Canada LLP
(514) 878-8808 ann.bigue@dentons.com
Ms. Bigué practices regulatory, Aboriginal and environmental assessment
law in connection with mining, energy and industrial development projects
and forestry development activities in Canada. She represents corporate
clients in the negotiation of agreements between Aboriginal communities
and project proponents and provides strategic advice on complex issues
relating to Aboriginal rights.
Bilek, Ian B. Cox & Palmer
(902) 491-4127 ibilek@coxandpalmer.com
Mr. Bilek assists clients at all points in the mining cycle: from the com-
mencement of mine development, to production and closure. His experi-
ence includes surface title assembly, mineral tenement acquisition,
federal, provincial and municipal permitting, construction and engineering
contracts, expropriation, project financing, and negotiation of impact
benefits agreements with First Nations.
Boivin, André Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
(416) 860-6580 aboivin@casselsbrock.com
Mr. Boivin's corporate and securities practice focuses on assisting public
mining companies on equity financings, regulatory compliance and govern-
ance matters as well as M&A and other strategic transactions.
Booth, QC, Robert (Bob) T. Bennett Jones LLP
(403) 298-3252 boothb@bennettjones.com
Mr. Booth has a broad commercial practice in energy and resources.
He represents clients in the oil and gas, pipeline, LNG, uranium, mining
and electricity sectors. He advises on purchases, sales, new businesses,
joint ventures and partnerships.
