What We Do Best

What This Really Means

Corporate governance sounds fancy, but it's really about making sure your business runs smoothly and stays out of trouble. We're talking about board structures, director duties, shareholder rights, and all those regulatory requirements that pile up as you grow.

Over the years, we've seen companies of all sizes trip up on governance issues - from startups with handshake agreements that go sideways, to established firms that haven't updated their bylaws since the 90s.

How We Help

• Setting up board governance frameworks that make sense for your size
• Drafting and updating corporate bylaws, policies, and procedures
• Compliance audits to catch issues before regulators do
• Director and officer training sessions
• Shareholder agreement negotiations

Why Contracts Matter More Than You Think

A good contract isn't just about covering your backside - though that's definitely part of it. It's about setting clear expectations so both parties know exactly what's happening. Bad contracts create confusion, disputes, and lost money.

We've been in enough negotiations to know when to push and when to compromise. Sometimes the other side's lawyer is being unreasonable, sometimes they've got a valid point. Knowing the difference saves time and preserves relationships.

Our Approach

• Supplier and vendor agreements that protect your interests
• Distribution and franchise contracts
• Joint venture and partnership agreements
• Licensing deals for technology and IP
• Service agreements that clearly define deliverables

The M&A Process (Simplified)

Buying or selling a business is probably the biggest transaction you'll ever do. It's stressful, time-consuming, and full of potential pitfalls. We've guided clients through acquisitions ranging from small competitor buyouts to major corporate mergers.

Due diligence is where deals often go south. Buyers find skeletons in closets, sellers realize their books aren't as clean as they thought. We dig into the details early so there aren't any nasty surprises at closing.

What We Do

• Transaction structuring for tax efficiency
• Comprehensive due diligence reviews
• Purchase and sale agreement drafting
• Negotiating representations, warranties, and indemnities
• Post-closing integration support

Employee Issues Need Quick Action

Employment law in Canada is complex and changes constantly. One wrong move during a termination or harassment complaint can cost you big time - both financially and reputationally. We help employers navigate these situations without stepping on legal landmines.

Prevention is huge here. Solid employment contracts, clear policies, and proper documentation can head off most problems before they start. When issues do pop up, having a lawyer who knows the Employment Standards Act inside out makes all the difference.

Services We Provide

• Employment contract drafting and review
• Termination strategies and severance negotiations
• Workplace investigations for harassment or misconduct
• HR policy development and updates
• Non-compete and confidentiality agreements

Protecting What Makes You Unique

Your intellectual property - trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets - is often your most valuable asset. Yet tons of businesses don't protect it properly until someone rips them off. By then, it's way more expensive to fix.

We work with everyone from tech startups protecting their software to manufacturers defending their product designs. IP law intersects with corporate strategy in interesting ways, and we've learned how to make it work for business goals, not against them.

How We Protect Your IP

• Trademark searches and registration in Canada and internationally
• Copyright protection and licensing agreements
• Trade secret protection and non-disclosure agreements
• IP due diligence for M&A transactions
• Infringement disputes and enforcement

When Things Go Wrong

Business disputes are inevitable. Partners disagree, contracts get breached, customers don't pay, competitors play dirty. Our job is to resolve these situations as efficiently as possible - ideally without burning bridges or bank accounts.

Litigation is expensive and unpredictable, so we always explore settlement options first. Mediation, negotiation, creative problem-solving. But when the other side won't be reasonable, we're not afraid to go to court and fight for what you're owed.

Disputes We Handle

• Contract breaches and enforcement actions
• Shareholder and partnership disputes
• Commercial debt collection
• Fraud and misrepresentation claims
• Injunctions and urgent court applications