Our Services

Responsive service. Great outcomes. Exceptional client satisfaction.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Our firm represents entrepreneurs, corporations, financial sponsors and family offices in share transactions, asset transactions, hybrid transactions and sale of equity to financial and strategic buyers. As the leading mid-market M&A legal services provider in BC, we have acted in large (over $700 million enterprise value) and small (under $5 million enterprise value) deals. Over the years, we have represented many winners of the prestigious Dealmaker of the Year awards sponsored by the BC Association for Corporate Growth.

Regularly referred by leading M&A advisors, we are known for getting our transactions closed, often in complex circumstances. We are dedicated to M&A with a large team of very experienced M&A professionals. Because of this focus, we are up-to-date on what is “market” for both Canadian and cross-border transactions. With our efficient and well-managed transaction processes, we are able to offer clients high value, fixed fee arrangements.

  • Purchase by Securiguard Services of Russell Security Services.

  • Purchase by Great Little Box Company of Ideon Packaging.

  • Purchase by CIMS of 101 Industries.

  • Purchase by Fasteel Industries of Titan Industrial Plate Processing.

  • Purchase by Pinkbike of Fireroad Holdings.

  • Purchase by Foley’s Candies of Brockmann’s Chocolates.

  • Purchase by CopperTree Analytics of BuildPulse.

  • Purchase by Alive Publishing Group of Delicious Living.

  • Purchase by Jim Treliving of 50% of Boston Pizza International.

  • Purchase by Westcoast Sightseeing of Dinner in the Sky.

  • Purchase by Roper Technologies of Phase Technology.

  • Purchase by TYCROP of Total Equipment and Service.

  • Sale of the Protec Dental Group of Companies to Equicapita.

  • Sale of Weatherhaven Global Resources to White Wolf Capital.

  • Sale of the Matcon Group of Companies to Breakwater Equity Partners.

  • Sale of ESC Automation to Ainsworth, a subsidiary of GDI Integrated Facility Services.

  • Sale of Trailer Wizards to TIP Trailer Services, a portfolio company of I Squared Capital.

  • Sale of Waypoint Insurance Services to Navacord.

  • Sale of MacKay CEO Forums to Yellow Point Equity Partners.

  • Sale of Fine Choice Foods to Swander Pace Capital.

  • Sale of IPAC Chemicals to Dubois Chemicals.

  • Sale of Axis Insurance to the Vertical Insurance Group.

  • Sale of Prairie Mushrooms to Highline Mushrooms.

Private Equity

A significant part of our practice consists of guiding and assisting private equity funds, family offices and other stakeholders on a variety of transactions and other matters throughout the private equity life cycle, such as:

  • Structuring, formation, governance and administration of PE funds, including funds of funds
  • Financing and co-investment, including private placements and senior and subordinated debt financing
  • M&A, including platform and bolt-on acquisitions
  • Restructurings and reorganizations
  • General corporate and commercial support for portfolio companies
  • Recapitalizations and exit transactions

We have vast experience acting from the perspective of all private equity participants – funds (and fund managers), investors, founders and management teams – within Canada and in connection with inbound and outbound cross-border transactions.

As a result, we consider all angles and are uniquely positioned to advise our clients, offering principled and pragmatic solutions and a deep understanding of the ever-changing marketplace.

  • Investments by Yellow Point Equity Partners in Securiguard Services, Canadian Appliance Source, Foley’s Candies, Viper Innovation and Nature’s Emporium.

  • Investments by Headwater Equity Partners in VIP Soap Products, Pinkbike, Armtec, Phoenix Fence, Frost Fighter, 911 Industrial Response, Precision Mounting and Pumps & Pressure.

  • Investment by Tiny Capital in AeroPress.

  • Investments by Gladius Partners in NDL Industries, High Country Cold Storage, Dynamic Reforestation, M.D. Charlton and Thermo King of British Columbia.

  • Acquisitions by Regimen Partners of K&C Silviculture and Radial Engineering.

  • Investments by Mosaic Capital in Circle 5 Tool & Mold, Cedar Infrastructure Products and Bassi Construction.

  • Investments by Alder Bay Equity Partners in Foster’s Agri-World, Coniston Products, Canadian Alliance Terminals and Enermax Mountain Manufacturing.

  • Acquisitions by Noverra Capital Partners of Victory Fire Protection and Troy Forming Concrete.

  • Investment by the Promerita Group in Zest Communities.

  • Acquisition by Sedulus Capital of Fasteel Industries.

  • Acquisition by Simetra Ventures of Mantech Enterprises.

I have worked with Peter, and MDS, for over 10 years on a variety of projects. Peter has been a key member of our strategic teams whether on a transaction or addressing challenges and opportunities in the operating businesses. Critical to us is the direct contact with key advisors and their understanding of the commercial and strategic dimensions of business above and beyond the plumbing and wiring of legal work. Prompt, effective and efficient service without the glitz, glitter and overhead of larger firms is the hallmark of MDS.

George Leroux
Chairman of the Board, Vitalus Nutrition Inc.

We had the pleasure of working with Nathan and Peter on a large and fairly complex transaction. They were both very hands on and helped our client understand all the important legal issues of the purchase and sale agreement, including the pragmatic negotiation of key provisions in that agreement. They also did a great job of managing the closing process, including coordinating the collection of over 50 customer consents, to expedite the closing on a tight timeline. We would have no problem recommending them to future clients.

Andrew Kemper
Partner, Capital West Partners

Skidmore Group has had a close working relationship with MDS for over ten years. We treat their firm like a partner at the table and value all their insight and expertise. All of our business dealings have been handled extremely well with a keen eye for detail. We are glad to have them as part of our team.

Garry Skidmore
President & CEO, Skidmore Group

Over the past 10 years our company, August Corporate Partners, has experienced significant growth, mostly through acquisition. We could not have achieved the success in this area without Peter Mogan and MDS. Peter and his team provide more then legal assistance they become part of our team. I rely on Peter for opinion, advise and guidance in most corporate areas. As CEO he has become an important confidant and a good friend.

Brad Johansen
President & CEO, August Corporate Partners, Welco Lumber Ltd. & Everest Group of Companies

Strategic Business Law Advice

Our strengths and deep experience in M&A and private equity allow us to provide high value and strategic business services and input to entrepreneurial enterprises that are growing organically, through acquisitions, or which are taking on equity partners or other financing.

We are pleased to serve entrepreneurs with existing products or services, or those who are in the process of developement of products and services, that are making a positive, transformational impact on our planet and its people.

Our strategic business services include:

  • Providing blended business/legal advice in relation to traditional “SWOT” analysis, including, for example, helping our clients to understand the current market environment for financing or potential M&A transactions
  • Assisting with strategic thinking and documentation around sophisticated corporate and tax-driven reorganizations
  • Advising on and preparing documentation for a broad range of business arrangements, including shareholders’ agreements, partnership agreements, joint venture agreements, partner buyouts, confidentiality agreements, restrictive covenants, agency agreements and distribution arrangements, and unique, “one off” agreements which might be key to the growth and/or protection of a business
  • Developing, understanding and implementing employee ownership and incentive programs, including option programs and employee share purchase plans

Our lawyers also have extensive networks of other practical and seasoned business veterans to support our clients for all of their other advisory needs, including in relation to tax/accounting/audit, IP, investment banking, employment, commercial and industrial real estate, environmental and financing matters.

Industry Expertise

At MDS, we pride ourselves on understanding our clients’ businesses. Our knowledge and experience spans a wide range of industries, including the following:

Construction

Defence

Energy

Food & Beverage

Franchising

Health & Life Services

Insurance

Leisure & Hospitality

Manufacturing

Retail

Technology

1

Transportation

Meet our Team

 

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