Lexpert Magazine

34 LEXPERT MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 MICHAEL ACEDO Open Text Corporation Toronto Michael Acedo is General Counsel – Cor- porate at Open Text Corp. Within weeks of joining Open Text, Acedo helped lead the successful execution of its inaugural $800-million offering of high-yield notes. His primary responsibilities at Open Text are legal in nature, plus he works closely with his colleagues in finance, treasury, tax, investor relations and human resources to ensure that relevant business consid- erations are carefully taken into account in all legal decisions. In honour of a close friend who passed away from ALS, Acedo and others organize an annual golf tourna- ment, which has raised both awareness and funds (over $75,000 to date) for the ALS Society of Canada. Acedo also sits on the organizing committee for Lucky Ball, an annual charity gala that benefits the Fort York Food Bank and has generated close to $160,000 since its inception five years ago. CARRIE AIKEN Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Calgary Carrie Aiken practises income tax law at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, where she focuses on advising and planning on the tax aspects of domestic and international transactions, including M&A, corporate reorganizations, divestitures and invest- ments by private-equity and pension funds. She advises international companies and state-owned enterprises looking to invest, commence or acquire business operations in Canada. She also advises public corpora- tions, trusts and investment funds in con- nection with a wide range of public share and debt offerings. roughout 2014 and 2015, Aiken co-chaired the firm's Calgary student committee and was responsible for all student recruitment and matters relat- ing to students throughout their articles. She is past President and former Director of the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society and an active and contributing member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Aiken is involved in broader community initiatives through pro bono work with the Calgary YMCA. She passionately supports Ovarian Cancer Canada and has recently been ap- pointed to its Board as a Director. AFSHAN ALI Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Toronto Afshan Ali is Senior Counsel (Litigation) at CIBC. Her nominator wrote: "Afshan has worked in a lead capacity on some of CIBC's most important litigation and regulatory matters. Perhaps most signifi- cantly, she led the representation of CIBC internally in the regulatory proceedings that resulted in CIBC's $73-million no- contest settlement with the Ontario Se- curities Commission of allegations that clients had been charged excess fees. To date, this settlement is the largest in the industry when compared to those reached by other bank-owned and independent dealers who have settled the issue, an in- dication of its significance, complexity and importance to CIBC." She is the cur- rent President of the Board of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, having served on the Board for six years in vari- ous capacities. Under the guidance of the Board, the Clinic participates regularly in groundbreaking litigation. SHERRI M. ALTSHULER Aird & Berlis LLP Toronto Sherri Altshuler is a partner at Aird & Berl- is LLP, in which she is a member of its Capi- tal Markets; Corporate/Commercial and Mining Groups as well as a member of the firm's Capital Pool Company, Startups and Cannabis Groups. Her legal practice is fo- cused on M&A, corporate reorganizations, public and private financings and ongoing corporate and commercial matters. She has developed specialized expertise in capital markets transactions, including advising real estate investment trusts with respect to board governance, securities and financing matters. She has been on the Board of Di- rectors of e Arthritis Society (Ontario) since 2012, and she is on the organization's Nominating Committee and All-In for Arthritis Poker Gala Committee. Alt- shuler was a Board Member of the Ontario Spondylitis Association and the Canadian Spondylitis Association. She chairs an an- nual event with PwC Canada for Holo- caust Education Week. She is also involved in Women in Capital Markets and Women Lawyers of Interlaw. JENNIFER A. ARCHER Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Vancouver Jennifer Archer is a partner in BLG's Cor- porate Commercial Group. She is the firm's client team lead for BC Hydro, working for them on a variety of matters, including complex supply and outsourcing arrange- ments, electricity purchase agreements, | RISING STARS |

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