Lexpert identifies and reports on emerging business issues and practice areas in the business of law. Whether online, in our magazine or in the DealsWire e-newsletter, we chronicle deals and lawsuits of interest, and cover issues of broad concern to the legal profession and those who purchase legal services. We hope you enjoy this sampling of our latest content.
From the DealsWire: Brookfield buys Enbridge assets | Chevron starts North Sea sale | Energy deals top M&A
The Lexpert DealsWire (subscribe here) documents facts, figures and key legal players behind recent deals. This week’s announced deal spotlight features the key players and figures in Baytex Energy’s merger with rival Raging River Exploration in an all-stock deal.
In our closed deals section, we look at Toys “R” Us Canada’s emergence from creditor protection and Transcontinental acquiring Coveris Americas for $1.72 billion.
We also look at First Majestic in its acquisition of Primero Mining Corp. as well as the US$135-million IPO of BSR REIT.
The trade divorce of the century is an ocean away. As the UK prepares to leave the European Union on March 29, many Canadian businesses are watching closely to see whether it will be Deal or No Deal. A soft Brexit or a hard Brexit, in which the UK leaves the EU without a signed deal, is of major concern to Canadian companies. The EU is Canada’s second largest trading partner, major Canadian financial institutions have a UK office and many other Canadian companies use the UK as an gateway to the EU.
This year’s Lexpert Zenith Awards celebrate “Mid-Career” success. They include lawyers who have continued in one firm for their career, and those that have made several changes. The intention was to include a group of lawyers for whom their career is still dynamic, writes Lexpert’s editor-in-chief Jean Cumming.
Will the US trade wars affect Canada?
Canada is for the time being exempt from the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed on US imports from a number of countries, including China. Still, the US will likely ramp up its scrutiny of Canadian products that include aluminum and steel components originating in the countries affected. A new NAFTA might even include an obligation to ensure that Canadian companies don’t morph prohibited materials into products that simply bear another name.
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