Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
A lawyer since 1998
Based on 1 Reviews
In the legal arena, Steven McKoen stands out with a dynamic portfolio focusing on securities and corporate law, showcasing expertise in a multitude of areas including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, financing, and governance. He serves an eclectic mix of clients ranging from issuers and underwriters to private equity firms, across diverse sectors such as technology, mining, biotech, and forestry. Within the mining sector, Steven's counsel extends to intricate transactional and commercial agreements covering streams, offtakes, royalties, and options.
His legal prowess is channelled through the Steven McKoen Law Corporation, where he has played pivotal roles in several high-profile transactions. For instance, he guided Absolute Software Corporation through a monumental US$870 million deal with Crosspoint Capital Partners, LP, and facilitated Azarga Uranium Corp.'s significant C$170 million merger with enCore Energy Corp. His advisory role was crucial in Correvio Pharma Corp.'s US$76 million sale to ADVANZ Pharma Corp. Limited, and he steered Nevsun Resources Ltd. through a C$1.86 billion acquisition by Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., alongside managing a complex unsolicited proposal worth C$1.5 billion.
Steven's expertise also shines in private target acquisitions, where he has overseen notable transactions like Later.com's merger with Mavrck, backed by Summit Partners, and the strategic US$340 million acquisition of NetMotion Software, Inc. by Absolute Software Corporation. His financial acumen was instrumental in various financings, including D-Wave Systems Inc.'s groundbreaking merger valued at US$1.2 billion and Thinkific Labs Inc.'s C$160 million IPO.
His contributions to the mining sector are profound, with significant achievements in negotiating commercial agreements for critical resources across global markets. Steven's ability to negotiate complex offtake, stream, royalty, and joint venture agreements underscores his expertise and strategic foresight in the mining industry.
Recognition for Steven's excellence and leadership in law is widespread, marked by his appointment as King's Counsel in 2018 and receiving the national Lexpert Zenith Award. His reputation is further endorsed by listings in prestigious legal directories, highlighting his influence in corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and mining law.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Steven is deeply involved in the legal community, serving as a life bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia and contributing to legal education as an adjunct professor. His commitment extends to philanthropy, evidenced by his leadership role in the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
Educationally, Steven's background is as diverse as his practice, with a JD from the University of Victoria, a BA in Cognitive Science from Simon Fraser University, and bar admissions in both New York State and British Columbia.
Steven McKoen's legal practice intersects innovation with tradition, encompassing a broad spectrum of services in capital markets, governance, and technology, across sectors like forestry, mining, and technology innovation, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to corporate law.