He stepped into the role this month
DLA Piper has named Toronto-based corporate partner Russel Drew as its new Canada managing partner.
He took the helm on January 1, succeeding Robert Seidel. Drew also joins the US executive committee in the process.
As managing partner, Drew guides DLA Piper’s strategic vision in the country. He is also tasked with encouraging cross-border collaboration and innovation.
He commenced with the firm in April 2016, making partner in January 2018 according to LinkedIn. He focuses on mergers and acquisitions, including hostile and friendly take-over bids and plans of arrangement, initial public offerings, cross-border acquisitions and divestitures, financing transactions, high yield bond, and private equity investments.
Drew has also tackled issues involving secondary and primary securities offerings, commercial, and corporate governance. His clients have included private equity sponsors, venture capital fund sponsors, financial institutions, and multi-national corporations.
He has worked across the energy, infrastructure, technology, telecommunications, transportation, natural resources, mining, real estate, advertising, financial services, professional services and pharmaceuticals sectors. He represented Société BIC in relation to its acquisition of semi-permanent tattoo producer inkbox ink incorporated.
Drew was also The Coca-Cola Company’s M&A counsel on the company’s divestment of its Canadian bottling and distribution subsidiary. He guided Rolls-Royce on an agreement to sell its its Naval Propulsors & Handling business to Arcline Investment Management portfolio company Fairbanks Morse Defense.
He acted for Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. as it acquired NUVIA for US$1.4 billion and advised Ecolab on its acquisition of Ovivo Inc.’s electronics ultra-pure water business. He also assisted Emerald X with its pickup of Generis Global Partners and Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. with its acquisition by Blue Ant Media Corp.
Drew previously worked with Bennett Jones LLP as a lawyer for over nine years. He is part of the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Ontario Bar Association.
Drew’s predecessor Seidel has transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus. He had led the firm as Canada managing partner since 2015.
Two partners from Canada will also take seats on the US executive committee this year.
