John Godber
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John Godber

Client Innovation Partner

Montréal
JGodber@blg.com
514.954.3165

Expertise

Diane Makos

Practice Assistant - Team Leader

Montréal
dmakos@blg.com
514.954.1905
514.954.2555
John specializes in corporate law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and large scale infrastructure projects

He advises clients on and participates in:

  • Public and private company mergers and acquisitions
  • Large scale infrastructure projects
  • Corporate finance transactions such as private placements and public financings
  • Corporate reorganizations and international joint ventures

He is also BLG’s Client Innovation Partner. He works with clients and relationship partners to create innovative solutions and services that deliver greater value and efficiency. He is also a past member of the firm’s Partnership Board and past National Practice Group Leader of the firm's Corporate Commercial Group.

John provides legal services through a Law Corporation.

Experience

  • NouvLR in the procurement and construction of Montreal's Light Rail Train Project (Réseau Express Métropolitain).
  • Signature on the Saint-Laurent in the procurement and construction of the New Champlain Bridge.
  • Independent Committee of Trustees of Medisys Health Income Fund in the fund's going-private transaction.
  • Miranda Technologies Inc., on its initial public offering and secondary offering of securities.
  • SNC-Lavalin Inc. in the sale of its facilities management business to Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions.
  • The Co-operators Group Limited with its public acquisition of Addenda Capital Inc.
  • BMO Nesbitt Burns and CIBC World Markets in the IPO of securities of Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
  • The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in connection with its purchase of rights in an undersea fibre-optic network between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
  • MAAX Inc. with its public auction and sale process.

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Institute of Corporate Directors (Québec Chapter)

Community Involvement

  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Institute of Corporate Directors (Québec Chapter)
  • Member, Board of Directors, Adaptative Sports Foundation
  • Former Member, Board of Directors and President, Montréal General Hospital Corporation
  • Past Chair, Board of Directors, Heritage Georgeville Inc.
  • Past President, Canadian Club of Montréal
  • Former Member, Management Committee and Board of Directors, Institute of Corporate Directors (Québec Chapter)
  • Former Member, Board of Directors and Treasurer, Montréal Indoor Tennis Club
  • Member, Board of Directors and Treasurer, Hermitage Club (Magog, Québec)
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Weredale Foundation
  • Former Member, Board of Governors, Lower Canada College
  • Past President, Lower Canada College, Alumni Association
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Constance Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre
  • Former Member, Board of Directors and Vice-President, McGill Society of Montréal
  • Former Member, Faculty Advisory Board, McGill University Faculty of Law

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada® (and since 2012) (Corporate Law). Also recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2013) (Mergers and Acquisitions Law) and in the 2025 edition (and since 2017) (Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law) and in 2024 (Project Finance Law). Also named "Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law Lawyer of the Year – Montréal" in the 2018 edition.
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2022) of Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Corporate Mid-Market), 2023 edition (and since 2019) (Corporate Commercial Law), 2020 edition (Mergers and Acquisitions) and 2019 (since 2013) (Corporate Mid-Market, Biotechnology, Corporate Commercial Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2017) as well as the 2015 and 2014 editions of the Lexpert®/Report on Business Special Edition – Canada's Leading Infrastructure Lawyers.
  • Recognized in the 2021 edition of Lexpert Special Edition: Health Sciences.
  • Recognized as a 2019 and 2017 Acritas Star.
  • Recognized in the 2019 edition (and since 2014) of the Lexpert®/ American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Mid-Market).
  • Recognized as a leading corporate lawyer in the 2017, 2016 and 2015 editions of the Lexpert®/Report on Business Corporate Special Edition.
  • Recognized in the 2018 edition of the Lexpert® Guide to US/Canada Cross-border Lawyers in Canada.
  • Recognized in the 2016 edition of the Lexpert® Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Finance and Securities).
  • Martindale-Hubbell® BV® Distinguished™ 4.4 out of 5 Peer Review Rated.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Québec, 1989
  • In-Depth Tax Course, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, 1989-1992
  • BCL/LLB, McGill University, 1988
  • BBA, Ryerson University, 1984