David Chaikof

David leads Torys' New York office as its managing partner, excelling as a consultant for both public entities and private equity ventures on a variety of legal fronts. His expertise encompasses mergers and acquisitions, deftly handling shareholder activism, along with corporate and securities law. He's orchestrated a multitude of domestic and international transactions, offering sage advice to corporations, their boards, and special committees on M&A strategies, securities regulation, and corporate governance across diverse sectors.

His experience is notably profound in the cross-border capital markets arena, having facilitated over 250 equity and debt offerings globally, amassing capital north of US$35 billion. David stands as the principal external counsel for giants like Fairfax Financial and BlackBerry, steering them through significant corporate financings and M&A activities, including BlackBerry's strategic review and financing efforts, and Fairfax's acquisition ventures totaling billions.

David's repertoire of significant projects includes the strategic acquisition of Toys "R" Us Canada, guiding Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Ullico in their billion-dollar acquisition of Student Transportation Inc., and leading Fairfax through various high-stake acquisitions and private placements. His acumen in M&A and capital markets has earned him accolades from prestigious legal directories, highlighting his influence and expertise in these domains.

Beyond his remarkable professional contributions, David is deeply engaged in speaking engagements and scholarly publications, sharing his insights on a myriad of legal topics, from private equity trends to corporate governance. His previous tenure with the Ontario Securities Commission and his directorship at Leitch Technology underscore his comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape.

David's commitment extends to the non-profit sector, evidenced by his leadership roles and educational endeavors, enriching both the legal and broader communities. His educational background, with an LLB from the University of Western Ontario, coupled with his bar admission in Ontario, forms the cornerstone of his distinguished career in law.