- When did you first get involved with the OBA?
I first joined the OBA as a regular member in 2022, shortly after I was called to the bar.
- What is your role on the OBA Business Law Section?
I am a Member-at-Large.
- What is/are your specific area(s) of practice?
Private mid-market mergers and acquisitions and general corporate/commercial law.
- How long have you been practicing?
I have been practicing for five years now and was called to the Ontario bar in 2022.
- What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The most challenging aspect of my job is also the most exciting aspect of my job: working with transaction stakeholders, other lawyers, and other professionals to identify whether or not there is a zone of possible agreement, determining whether value can be created to expand or initiate a zone of possible agreement, and negotiating where, within that zone, the transaction will be finalized.
- What is the most interesting or fulfilling aspect of your job?
The most interesting aspects involve dealing with complex niche transactional issues such as regulatory, competition, structuring, or cross-border considerations. The most fulfilling aspect is successfully closing each transaction and participating in either helping the sellers realize the value of their investment or helping the buyers complete a new investment.
- If you were not practicing in your current area of law, what other area(s) of law could you see yourself in and why?
I would likely be a tax practitioner given the interconnectivity with private mid-market mergers and acquisitions and the many overlapping aspects between the two practices, including a high degree of complexity, value creation, and collaboration with other professionals.
- What are you excited for as an executive member of the OBA Business Law Section?
Being able to advocate for and assist with delivering new programming and events.
- What is the one thing you would like to see the OBA Business Law Section do this year?
Host a larger number of in-person events.
- Can you mention one exciting thing you have worked on recently?
As a growing trend among dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, and other regulated professionals, we have been taking traditional structures for professional corporations and separating them into a management company and a professional corporation in order to allow friends, family, and other non-professionals to contribute their lifetime capital gains exemption pool, participate in ownership, and invest in the business.
- Where did you go to law school?
Robson Hall, Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba.
- What was the most helpful thing you learned in law school?
Don't go home after class (or work); stick around, get involved, and stay involved.
- What is the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were still a student?
You can always pivot but start out by committing to a practice area and specializing early.
- What is your go-to mental health wellness activity?
Either playing squash or attending group fitness classes at the Toronto Athletic Club.
- What is your go-to coffee order?
I am more partial to a cup of Earl Grey or Masala Chai.
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