666 Burrard St, Suite 2500, Park Place, Vancouver, BC
Year called to bar: 1986 (BC)
Co-head of the firm's Corporate Department, Jonathan has been practising corporate and securities law for more than 30 years. A focus of his practice is private equity transactions, acting on behalf of both fund sponsors and institutional investors in organizing domestic and international private equity funds to invest in buyouts, mezzanine, venture capital, merchant banking, infrastructure and timber assets. He is familiar with all aspects of structuring, negotiating and completing such investments and with standards for investment policies, fees, returns and governance in this emerging asset class. He has significant experience in assisting such funds with transactions, including investments, mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations and exits. Jonathan was a founding partner of McCullough O’Connor Irwin LLP prior to Bennett Jones and his firm joining forces in 2018. Jonathan speaks regularly, including at numerous legal education conferences, and publishes articles on corporate law issues. He is recognized as a leading practitioner in Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers in Canada, Expert Guides – Private Equity, International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, IFLR’s Guide to the World’s Leading Private Equity Lawyers, Lexpert Magazine, and PLC’s Cross-Border Private Equity Handbook.
On Sept. 28, Appnovation announced the closing of a Series B financing, raising $10.55 million from its previous investors, the Canadian Business Growth Fund (“CBGF”) and UK-based Business Growth Fund (“BGF”), as well as new investor crown corporation Export Development Canada (“EDC”) through its investment program
On April 2, 2019, an investor consortium comprised of Anamered Investments Inc., ANTA Sports Limited, FountainVest Partners and Tencent Holdings Limited completed its acquisition of substantially all of the outstanding securities of Amer Sports Corporation for approximately €5 billion in a tender offer on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.
On April 22, 2015, Petra Petroleum Inc, (Petra) completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Mitra Energy Limited, a private Bermuda incorporated company. The transaction constituted a reverse takeover transaction of Petra Petroleum Inc. pursuant to TSX Venture Exchange Policies.
Lion Capital and IVEST Consumer Partners acquired the business and assets of Spence Diamonds Ltd. in an all equity transaction. As part of the transaction, the Spence Diamonds Group shareholders will maintain a minority interest in the reconstituted company. Canada’s premier diamond retailer, Spence Diamonds was founded in 1978 and operates out of seven locations across Canada including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto.
TriWest Capital Partners and Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund completed their acquisition of a majority interest in NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Corporation (“NCSG”) from existing shareholders on August 25, 2014. NCSG is one of the largest providers of fully operated and maintained crane and heavy haul services in North America.
Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global firms dedicated to private equity acquired an approximate 14 per cent stake in lululemon athletica inc. from lululemon founder Dennis “Chip” Wilson for US$845 million on September 9, 2014. In connection with the transaction, Advent, lululemon and Mr. Wilson entered into a support agreement relating to certain governance matters.
