Justin Drake

Justin thrives in the corporate sphere, directing his expertise primarily towards mergers, acquisitions, and pivotal strategic investments. His role as corporate counsel sees him guiding numerous clients through the complexities of corporate governance and equity compensation, demonstrating a keen ability to tackle a vast array of issues across different sectors and scales. His approach is notably pragmatic and business-savvy, earning him accolades from clients for his adeptness at steering transactions and addressing crucial concerns with an astute eye for practical solutions.

His skill set shines in orchestrating strategic dealings, especially between large-scale entities and burgeoning technology startups, marking him as a go-to advisor in competitive corporate landscapes.

Justin’s recent contributions include pivotal roles in significant mergers and acquisitions. He was instrumental in Mackenzie Financial Corporation's collaborative venture with Great-West Lifeco Inc., facilitating their acquisition of a substantial interest in Northleaf Capital Partners. His advisory prowess was also central to Mackenzie Financial Corporation's purchase of Greenchip Financial Corp., and he played a key role in Kognitiv Corporation’s strategic merger with Aimia's Loyalty Solutions business.

His strategic insight benefitted Sagard Holdings in its investment in Grayhawk Investment Strategies, and he was crucial in FLIR Systems, Inc.'s acquisition of Aeryon Labs Inc. Justin’s expertise also extended to aiding The Toronto-Dominion Bank in its acquisition ventures, including an artificial intelligence firm and an asset management company, among other high-profile transactions.

In the realm of private equity, Justin’s guidance has been invaluable. He has facilitated numerous transactions, including the establishment and expansion of a dental service organization, OmniTRAX’s sale of strategic assets, and Sagard Holdings’ significant acquisition alongside Fairfax.

Venture capital initiatives also bear Justin's mark, with his involvement in the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board's substantial Series D financing of ApplyBoard, and supporting Koru LP's venture foundry in launching innovative startups.

His accolades include recognition in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023 for his contributions to the corporate mid-market sector. Justin's educational background, with a law degree from Dalhousie Law School and a commerce degree from Saint Mary's University, underpins his solid foundation in corporate law.

Justin's practice areas span a broad spectrum, from corporate and commercial law to cross-border mergers and acquisitions, reflecting his versatility and expertise in navigating the intricate world of financial services, emerging companies, and technological innovation.