Lexpert Roundup on the business of law
Lexpert identifies and reports on emerging business issues and practice areas in the business of law. Whether online, in our magazine or in the DealsWire e-newsletter, we chronicle deals and lawsuits of interest, and cover issues of broad concern to the legal profession and those who buy legal services. We hope you enjoy this sample of our latest content.
From the DealsWire: Linamar buys from France, Barrick sells to China
The Lexpert DealsWire (subscribe here) documents facts, figures and key legal players behind recent deals. This week's announced deal spotlight features the key players and figures in GFL Environmental's acquisition of the solid waste division of TransForce.
In our closed deals section, we look at the creation of Northview Apartment REIT as well as Plentyoffish Media's sale to Match.com for $575-million (U.S.).
We also look at the players behind Spin Master acquiring Cardinal Industries, a puzzle and game company based in New York. Finally, we give you the legal teams on Concordia Healthcare's purchase of UK-based Amdipharm Mercury Limited from private equity firm Cinven.
CPP expansion would throw a wrench into pension plans in Ontario Companies in Ontario may have to backpedal on plans to modify their pension arrangements if the new Ontario Registered Pension Plan scheduled for 2017 is supplanted by a proposal from the federal Liberals to enhance the Canada Pension Plan. Lexpert spoke with senior pensions lawyers about the potential impact on companies who are trying to plan around the political uncertainty.
Lexpert publishes 2015 energy special edition in The Globe and Mail's Report on Business
Lexpert published its special edition on energy in The Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine on Oct. 30. It includes the following feature articles:
Private equity poised for greater role in energy market: Flush with cash from investors seeking to outperform public markets, private equities are directing increased attention to Calgary.
Aligning with aboriginal interests tricky but vital part of energy development: Understanding aboriginal interests has become an issue that companies and their advisers play down at their peril.
Regulators pressing energy companies for more disclosure in challenging markets: The last thing energy companies want to deal with is more rules to disclose more details about their financial affairs.
Environmental rules increasingly affecting energy development: Environmental law developments have created both challenges and opportunities for Canadian energy companies.
When the Bottom Falls Out: In the summer of 2014, with Brent crude hovering around $110 U.S. a barrel, the Spanish energy giant Repsol approached Talisman Energy with the beginnings of an acquisition offer. It was right around then that the price of oil began its precipitous descent.
An unsustainable business model
Over the past 10 years, corporate counsel have become more closely tied with their business units, giving them operational support and general advice. Fundamentally, this is a relationship-based business model for the law department, not unlike the "trusted adviser" law firm business model. It is a state of affairs that, according to Richard Stock in his Law Departments column, is unsustainable.
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