Nick practises corporate and commercial law, and serves as a trusted advisor to key clients of the Firm.
He has been recognized for his practical business and legal advice, and for leading teams of professionals to successfully implement large legal projects.
Nick has significant expertise handling mergers & acquisitions, financings, joint ventures, partnerships, reorganizations and divestitures. He also advises U.S. and international businesses on entering the Canadian market, and he is skilled at coordinating national teams of subject matter experts to ensure clients receive expert advice on all aspects of doing business in Canada, whatever the sector, and across provinces and territories.
In recent years, a significant portion of his practice has involved representing large charities, not-for-profits and other “broader public sector” organizations on a variety of strategic transactions, including:
- Public Hospitals and other Health Services Providers
- developing system capacity during COVID-19 through the establishment of temporary hospital sites, and contractual collaborations between various health services providers, municipalities and other stakeholders to provide COVID-19 related support and services.
- structuring and implementing transactions that integrate Ontario’s health care system or further patient care by expanding collaborations across organizations and practitioners, including the formation of Ontario Health Teams
- capital redevelopment projects and public-private partnerships
- developing alternative revenue generation strategies that do not jeopardize tax exempt status
- financing (both traditional borrowing facilities and capital markets/debenture financing)
- real property acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships
- research collaborations (including university/hospital arrangements, commercialization of intellectual property, and investments in early-stage tech startups)
- arrangements with foundations, auxiliaries, volunteer associations, research institutes and other similar entities
- governance matters
- Higher Education
- structuring arrangements between universities and their foundations
- structuring revenue generation activities (including: executive education, student housing, commercialization of research, etc.)
- financings
- Municipal
- Advising municipalities of their rights and obligations under the Housing Services Act, including exercising statutory remedies (managing projects in difficulty) and restructuring housing services providers
Within BLG, Nick is the Regional Manager of the Corporate Commercial Group. He is a member of the firm's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiative.
He is also the Co-Chair of BLG's Health Sector Services Group, and regularly provides advice to boards, committees and senior management on sensitive, complex or strategically imperative matters.
He is also a sought-after speaker and educator, having participated as a member of the Ontario Hospital Association's teaching faculty where he has taught the “Essentials Certificate in Governance for New Directors” and other governance courses since 2014.
Nick summered and articled with BLG, and as a student he was seconded to Scotiabank's General Counsel's Office.
Nick provides legal services through a Law Corporation.
M&A Mandates
- St. Joseph’s Health System in the sale of its Group Purchasing Organization, a provider of capital equipment and food and nutrition procurement services for the health sector, to Mohawk Medbuy Corporation.
- Triple M Metal in its joint venture with ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada to create Integrated Metal Recycling Inc.
- Day & Zimmermann of Canada Corporation, a provider of construction, engineering, maintenance, staffing, and defense solutions, on its strategic acquisition of EMC Power Canada Ltd., provides specialized construction management and multi-discipline trade services for transmission and generation power sector clients.
- Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, a Connecticut-based casino operator, in the acquisition of Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and related matters.
- Sensus Canada Inc. in the sale of Sensus, a provider of smart meters, network technologies and advanced data analytics services for the water, electric and gas industries, to Xylem Inc.
- Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants in an equity investment by the Katz Group and related matters.
- Scenario Learning Canada ULC in the sale of Scenario Learning to Vector Solutions, a portfolio company of Providence Equity.
- Brennan Industries, Inc. in its acquisition of Versa Fittings Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of fittings and tubing across Canada.
- Wakefield Canada Inc. in its acquisition of Castrol Canada Inc. from BP Lubricants USA Inc., in its negotiation of exclusive Canadian distribution rights to all SuperClean branded products, and with respect to various commercial matters.
- Evonik Degussa Corporation and Evonik Canada Inc. in the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Kemira Chemicals Canada Inc.
- A U.S. investment fund in its acquisition of a steel manufacturing facility in Welland, Ontario, and in connection with the negotiation of various revolving and term credit facilities and related matters.
- A Norwegian public company on the divestiture of its Canadian and U.S. construction and engineering businesses.
- A Toronto-area Volvo and Jaguar dealership on the sale of the dealership business, redevelopment of the real property, and related matters.
- Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital and its tenant specialty practices in connection with a sale to Associated Veterinary Clinics and related matters.
- Train Trailer Rentals Limited, a national trailer leasing company, in connection with its sale to an affiliate of West Van Inc.
- Trailer Wizards Ltd., a national trailer leasing company, in connection with multiple acquisitions and related matters.
- St. Joseph’s Health System in the sale of its Group Purchasing Organization, a provider of capital equipment and food and nutrition procurement services for the health sector, to Mohawk Medbuy Corporation.
- Triple M Metal in its joint venture with ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada to create Integrated Metal Recycling Inc.
- Day & Zimmermann of Canada Corporation, a provider of construction, engineering, maintenance, staffing, and defense solutions, on its strategic acquisition of EMC Power Canada Ltd., provides specialized construction management and multi-discipline trade services for transmission and generation power sector clients.
- Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, a Connecticut-based casino operator, in the acquisition of Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and related matters.
- Sensus Canada Inc. in the sale of Sensus, a provider of smart meters, network technologies and advanced data analytics services for the water, electric and gas industries, to Xylem Inc.
- Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants in an equity investment by the Katz Group and related matters.
- Scenario Learning Canada ULC in the sale of Scenario Learning to Vector Solutions, a portfolio company of Providence Equity.
- Brennan Industries, Inc. in its acquisition of Versa Fittings Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of fittings and tubing across Canada.
- Wakefield Canada Inc. in its acquisition of Castrol Canada Inc. from BP Lubricants USA Inc., in its negotiation of exclusive Canadian distribution rights to all SuperClean branded products, and with respect to various commercial matters.
- Evonik Degussa Corporation and Evonik Canada Inc. in the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Kemira Chemicals Canada Inc.
- A U.S. investment fund in its acquisition of a steel manufacturing facility in Welland, Ontario, and in connection with the negotiation of various revolving and term credit facilities and related matters.
- A Norwegian public company on the divestiture of its Canadian and U.S. construction and engineering businesses.
- A Toronto-area Volvo and Jaguar dealership on the sale of the dealership business, redevelopment of the real property, and related matters.
- Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital and its tenant specialty practices in connection with a sale to Associated Veterinary Clinics and related matters.
- Train Trailer Rentals Limited, a national trailer leasing company, in connection with its sale to an affiliate of West Van Inc.
- Trailer Wizards Ltd., a national trailer leasing company, in connection with multiple acquisitions and related matters.
Health Sector Integrations
- Providence Healthcare Foundation in its amalgamation with St. Michael's Hospital Foundation.
- St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare in the amalgamation forming Unity Health Toronto.
- Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph of the Hotel Dieu of Kingston (Hotel Dieu Hospital Kingston) in its integration with Kingston General Hospital forming Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
- The McCausland Hospital and Wilson Memorial General Hospital in the amalgamation forming North of Superior Healthcare Group.
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in the formation and governance of Kids Health Alliance and related matters.
- Groves Memorial Community Hospital and North Wellington Health Care Corporation in the strengthening of the governance structure underpinning the Wellington Health Care Alliance.
- The Hospital for Sick Children in the development of the SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health.
- Oshawa Community Health Centre and the Barbara Black Centre for Youth Services in the amalgamation forming Carea Community Health Centre.
- Parkdale Community Health Centre and Central Toronto Community Health Centres in the amalgamation forming Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.
- The Scarborough Hospital (TSH), Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) and Lakeridge Health (LH) in the Minister-ordered amalgamation of TSH and RVHS forming Scarborough Health Network, and the related voluntary asset transfer of the Ajax/Pickering site of RVHS to LH.
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre in its acquisition of seniors and community services and programs offered by Call-a-Service Inc.
- Thirteen of the 14 Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) in the compulsory transfers of all assets and liabilities to the corresponding Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).
- Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC) in the compulsory transfer of all assets and liabilities to Health Shared Services Ontario and the subsequent dissolution of OACCAC.
- Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Sydenham District Hospital Foundation and the Public General Hospital Foundation of Chatham (jointly) in the three-way amalgamation forming Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation and related matters.
- The Supervisor of Brockville General Hospital in integrating pathology and laboratory services with Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
- The Ontario Hospital Association in a variety of ongoing corporate, commercial and governance matters, including advice and representation in connection with transitioning to and compliance with the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (Ontario) (“ONCA")
- Providence Healthcare Foundation in its amalgamation with St. Michael's Hospital Foundation.
- St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare in the amalgamation forming Unity Health Toronto.
- Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph of the Hotel Dieu of Kingston (Hotel Dieu Hospital Kingston) in its integration with Kingston General Hospital forming Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
- The McCausland Hospital and Wilson Memorial General Hospital in the amalgamation forming North of Superior Healthcare Group.
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in the formation and governance of Kids Health Alliance and related matters.
- Groves Memorial Community Hospital and North Wellington Health Care Corporation in the strengthening of the governance structure underpinning the Wellington Health Care Alliance.
- The Hospital for Sick Children in the development of the SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health.
- Oshawa Community Health Centre and the Barbara Black Centre for Youth Services in the amalgamation forming Carea Community Health Centre.
- Parkdale Community Health Centre and Central Toronto Community Health Centres in the amalgamation forming Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre.
- The Scarborough Hospital (TSH), Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) and Lakeridge Health (LH) in the Minister-ordered amalgamation of TSH and RVHS forming Scarborough Health Network, and the related voluntary asset transfer of the Ajax/Pickering site of RVHS to LH.
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre in its acquisition of seniors and community services and programs offered by Call-a-Service Inc.
- Thirteen of the 14 Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) in the compulsory transfers of all assets and liabilities to the corresponding Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).
- Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC) in the compulsory transfer of all assets and liabilities to Health Shared Services Ontario and the subsequent dissolution of OACCAC.
- Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Sydenham District Hospital Foundation and the Public General Hospital Foundation of Chatham (jointly) in the three-way amalgamation forming Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation and related matters.
- The Supervisor of Brockville General Hospital in integrating pathology and laboratory services with Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
- The Ontario Hospital Association in a variety of ongoing corporate, commercial and governance matters, including advice and representation in connection with transitioning to and compliance with the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (Ontario) (“ONCA")
Broader Public Sector/Charity & Not-for-Profit Transactions
- Advised CorHealth Ontario in connection with its compulsory transfer under the Connecting Care Act to Ontario Health by Minister's order.
- YMCA Sudbury and YMCA North Bay (jointly) in the amalgamation forming YMCA of Northeastern Ontario and subsequent amalgamation with YMCA Timmins.
- DeafBlind Ontario Services in its merger with Array Community Support Services and related matters.
- A Toronto-area university in the transfer of substantially all assets of its foundation to the university, and integration of the operations and staff of the foundation into the university's division of advancement.
- A Toronto-area university in the establishment of an executive education and innovation program and related matters.
- The Toronto Region Board of Trade in the sale of The Country Club golf course in Woodbridge, Ontario and related matters.
- The Regional Municipality of Halton and The Regional Municipality of Peel (jointly) in the restructuring of the not-for-profit housing provider known as Union Housing Opportunities (Peel-Halton) Inc.
- YMCA Greater Toronto in the formation of YMCA Academy, an independent urban high school and related matters.
- YMCA of Kingston and YMCA of Brockville (jointly) in the amalgamation forming YMCA of Eastern Ontario and related matters.
- Restaurants Canada in various ongoing governance, corporate and commercial matters and special projects.
- Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in a national governance restructuring.
- The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada in various fundraising, commercial and revenue generating activities.
- Advised CorHealth Ontario in connection with its compulsory transfer under the Connecting Care Act to Ontario Health by Minister's order.
- YMCA Sudbury and YMCA North Bay (jointly) in the amalgamation forming YMCA of Northeastern Ontario and subsequent amalgamation with YMCA Timmins.
- DeafBlind Ontario Services in its merger with Array Community Support Services and related matters.
- A Toronto-area university in the transfer of substantially all assets of its foundation to the university, and integration of the operations and staff of the foundation into the university's division of advancement.
- A Toronto-area university in the establishment of an executive education and innovation program and related matters.
- The Toronto Region Board of Trade in the sale of The Country Club golf course in Woodbridge, Ontario and related matters.
- The Regional Municipality of Halton and The Regional Municipality of Peel (jointly) in the restructuring of the not-for-profit housing provider known as Union Housing Opportunities (Peel-Halton) Inc.
- YMCA Greater Toronto in the formation of YMCA Academy, an independent urban high school and related matters.
- YMCA of Kingston and YMCA of Brockville (jointly) in the amalgamation forming YMCA of Eastern Ontario and related matters.
- Restaurants Canada in various ongoing governance, corporate and commercial matters and special projects.
- Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in a national governance restructuring.
- The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada in various fundraising, commercial and revenue generating activities.
