Lawson Lundell's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog follows new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Practice Expertise
- Commercial Law
- Corporate and Business
- Joint Ventures
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Areas of Practice
- Commercial Law
- Corporate and Business
- Joint Ventures
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Public Private Partnerships and ...
- Technology
- Venture Capital View More
WSG Practice Industries
Corporate & Business
Financial Services
Real Estate & Construction
Technology
Crossborder Trade & Investment View More
WSG Leadership
- Antitrust Group - Member
- WSG Coronavirus Task Force Group - Member
Profile
Valerie is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance practice, and the former Managing Partner of Lawson Lundell. Her practice is transactional as well as advisory. Valerie (Val) is the Chair of the firm's Technology law group and Co-Chair of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions practice group. After obtaining an honours bachelor of commerce degree, Valerie worked in marketing management with a large US based consumer packaged goods company, prior to obtaining her law degree.
She has been involved in transactions for private and public companies including mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate reorganizations as well as licensing, strategic alliances and joint ventures.
Her practice includes acting for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through to public companies as well as for those who finance technology ventures including venture capital companies. Clients in the technology sector include hardware manufacturers, software developers, e-commerce companies, new media ventures and biotechnology companies as well as venture capital companies.
Val sits on various boards, and received her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (Canada) in 2017.
She has been involved in transactions for private and public companies including mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate reorganizations as well as licensing, strategic alliances and joint ventures.
Her practice includes acting for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through to public companies as well as for those who finance technology ventures including venture capital companies. Clients in the technology sector include hardware manufacturers, software developers, e-commerce companies, new media ventures and biotechnology companies as well as venture capital companies.
Val sits on various boards, and received her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (Canada) in 2017.
Bar Admissions
British Columbia (1992)
Education
Queen's University (B.Comm (Hons)., 1986)
Osgoode Hall Law School (J.D., 1991)
Registered Trade Mark Agent (1996)
Areas of Practice
- Commercial Law
- Corporate and Business
- Joint Ventures
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Public Private Partnerships and Infrastructure
- Technology
- Venture Capital
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
In addition to acting as counsel to clients engaged in the technology, manufacturing, forestry, and financial management industries, Valerie's recent M&A experience includes advising:
OnCore BioPharma on Canadian matters in its announced merger with Tekmira Pharmaceuticals
Catalyst Paper Corporation in connection with its acquisition of two US paper mills.
Private equity firm in its acquisition of a rail services business
Venture Capital general partner in the formation of a fund focused on social impact business investing including in food manufacturing and renewable energy
Private equity general partner in the formation of a fund focused on the real estate sector
Venture capital fund in its acquisition of an interest in a security technology company
Dassault Systemes in its acquisition of Gemcom Software
Ballast Nedam N.V., a publicly traded Dutch infrastructure and construction company in its sale of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
Management, in a buy-out of a collection services business backed by a BC based private equity firm
Temenos Group AP in its acquisition of Primisyn, a business intelligence software company
Institutional investors in a joint takeover of a publicly traded timberlands company
Dialogic Corporation in its acquisition of Veraz Networks, Inc.
Taleo Corporation in its acquisition of Cytiva Software Inc.
An electric utility in the $825 million acquisition of an interest in a hydroelectric dam and related assets
An institutional investor in a $100 million private placement in a forestry company
An alternative energy company in its financing and acquisition activities
A US based public clean energy company in a strategic acquisition in Western Canada
A resort company in its financing activities in Canada and the United States and its operational activities in Canada
A private equity fund in acquisitions of manufacturing businesses in Western Canada
A large publicly traded European construction company in its BC-based activities in the resort industry
A food products manufacturer and brand company in its strategic acquisitions in North America and internationally
Institutional investors in a $1.0 billion forestry acquisition
A newsprint and directory company in its acquisition of a recycled paper facility
A pension fund in a series of acquisitions in the hotel industry
A BC public company in its $1.2 billion acquisition of a newsprint and directory manufacturing business
A venture capital fund in the formation of a new $235 million venture capital fund which invests in technology companies
Numerous investments by venture capital investors in early-stage technology companies
A large forestry company in the outsourcing of information systems and other non-core functions
In addition, Valerie's experience includes:
Private placement financings for non-reporting technology companies
Numerous licensing agreements on behalf of technology developers and customers of technology
Corporate and technology law advice including clinical trial agreements and material transfer agreements to a publicly-traded
biotechnology company
Business formation, structuring and early-stage financings for several technology companies involved in wireless applications, software development and new media
Numerous pre-merger notification applications and other competition advice in respect of transactions in the forestry, mining, manufacturing and real estate sectors
Professional Associations
*British Columbia Business Council, Board of Governors
*Queen's School of Business Advisory Board
*Association for Corporate Growth, Director and Corporate Secretary; Chair of the 2013 Capital Connections Conference
*Canadian IT Law Association, Director (2004-2008) and Co-Chair Private Equity Sub-Committee
*Vancouver Board of Trade, Member - Economic Development Committee
*Institute of Corporate Directors, Member
*B.C. Law Society's Bar Admission Program, regular guest lecturer on corporate and commercial law
*Business in Vancouver's CFO of the Year Awards, 2011 through 2015, Selection Committee
*"Women In" Series - Minerva Foundation 2012 through 2014, Selection Committee Member
*Wired Woman Society, Director and Secretary (2004-2008)
*CanWIT, BC Chapter, Director - Finance/Sponsorship (2008-2012)
*Best Lawyers Advisory Board, Member
Recognition and Ranking
*Named by BC Business Magazine (June, 2015) as one of BC's most influential women in Business in the Province.
*Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for mergers & acquisitions law and technology law
*Named by the Women's Executive Network as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ three times
*2013 Lexpert Zenith Award: recognized as a leading woman lawyer in Canada
Seminars/ Presentation
Speaking engagements include:
"Acquisition Agreements", 20th Negotiating Major Business Agreements Conference, Vancouver, BC (May 25-26, 2015), Speaker
"Deal Spoilers the 5 Most Common Factors that Derail Commercial Deals" Keynote Panel, Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (September 26-27, 2013), Co-chair and Panel Moderator
12th ACG Vancouver Capital Connection Western Canadian Growth Conference, Vancouver, BC (April 9, 2013), Chair
"The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement Essential Clauses" and "Managing the Client/Counsel Relationship in Business Transactions" Keynote Panel, Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (October 15-16, 2012), Co-chair, Speaker and Panel Moderator
"General Counsel's role in M&A Transactions", 11th General Counsel's Role in Maximizing Corporate Performance, Federated Press, Calgary, AB (March 13, 2012), Speaker
"Making Waves in Technology and Law", Circle of Wisdom, Canadian Women in Technology (CanWit), Vancouver, BC (January 26, 2012), Speaker
"The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement - Essential Clauses for Acquisitions" and "M&A Trend Watch Panel", 5th Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (September 20-21, 2011), Co-chair, Speaker and Panel Moderator
"The General Counsel and Corporate Acquisitions", 9th General Counsel's Role in Maximizing Corporate Performance Course - Doing Your Part to Ensure Good Corporate Governance, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC (April 13-14, 2011), Chair and Speaker
"Investment Canada Act Under Examination - A Review of Recent Events", 8th Annual Insight Information Advanced Mergers & Acquisitions Course, Vancouver, BC (December 6, 2010), Speaker
Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Dealmaker of the Year Awards, Vancouver, BC (December 1, 2010), Co-moderator
"The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement - Essential Clauses for Asset, Stock and Merger Deals", 4th Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (September 27-28, 2010), Speaker
"Negotiating Acquisition Agreements", 10th Annual Negotiating & Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC (November 2-3, 2009), Chair and Speaker
"Looking Out for Your Own: Tips for Directors and Officers in Tough Economic Times", Practical Tips for Tough Economic Times Seminar, Vancouver, BC (May 20, 2009), Speaker
"Purchase and Sale: Asset, Stock and Merger Agreements", 3rd Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (March 2-3, 2009), Speaker
Canadian Financing Forum, Vancouver, BC (2008 and 2009), Speaker
2007 IT Can Annual Conference on Technology Law in Canada, Co-Chair
"Buying and Selling a Businessâ€Â, Law Society of British Columbia bar admission course, Frequent Lecturer and Author
In addition to acting as counsel to clients engaged in the technology, manufacturing, forestry, and financial management industries, Valerie's recent M&A experience includes advising:
OnCore BioPharma on Canadian matters in its announced merger with Tekmira Pharmaceuticals
Catalyst Paper Corporation in connection with its acquisition of two US paper mills.
Private equity firm in its acquisition of a rail services business
Venture Capital general partner in the formation of a fund focused on social impact business investing including in food manufacturing and renewable energy
Private equity general partner in the formation of a fund focused on the real estate sector
Venture capital fund in its acquisition of an interest in a security technology company
Dassault Systemes in its acquisition of Gemcom Software
Ballast Nedam N.V., a publicly traded Dutch infrastructure and construction company in its sale of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
Management, in a buy-out of a collection services business backed by a BC based private equity firm
Temenos Group AP in its acquisition of Primisyn, a business intelligence software company
Institutional investors in a joint takeover of a publicly traded timberlands company
Dialogic Corporation in its acquisition of Veraz Networks, Inc.
Taleo Corporation in its acquisition of Cytiva Software Inc.
An electric utility in the $825 million acquisition of an interest in a hydroelectric dam and related assets
An institutional investor in a $100 million private placement in a forestry company
An alternative energy company in its financing and acquisition activities
A US based public clean energy company in a strategic acquisition in Western Canada
A resort company in its financing activities in Canada and the United States and its operational activities in Canada
A private equity fund in acquisitions of manufacturing businesses in Western Canada
A large publicly traded European construction company in its BC-based activities in the resort industry
A food products manufacturer and brand company in its strategic acquisitions in North America and internationally
Institutional investors in a $1.0 billion forestry acquisition
A newsprint and directory company in its acquisition of a recycled paper facility
A pension fund in a series of acquisitions in the hotel industry
A BC public company in its $1.2 billion acquisition of a newsprint and directory manufacturing business
A venture capital fund in the formation of a new $235 million venture capital fund which invests in technology companies
Numerous investments by venture capital investors in early-stage technology companies
A large forestry company in the outsourcing of information systems and other non-core functions
In addition, Valerie's experience includes:
Private placement financings for non-reporting technology companies
Numerous licensing agreements on behalf of technology developers and customers of technology
Corporate and technology law advice including clinical trial agreements and material transfer agreements to a publicly-traded
biotechnology company
Business formation, structuring and early-stage financings for several technology companies involved in wireless applications, software development and new media
Numerous pre-merger notification applications and other competition advice in respect of transactions in the forestry, mining, manufacturing and real estate sectors
Professional Associations
*British Columbia Business Council, Board of Governors
*Queen's School of Business Advisory Board
*Association for Corporate Growth, Director and Corporate Secretary; Chair of the 2013 Capital Connections Conference
*Canadian IT Law Association, Director (2004-2008) and Co-Chair Private Equity Sub-Committee
*Vancouver Board of Trade, Member - Economic Development Committee
*Institute of Corporate Directors, Member
*B.C. Law Society's Bar Admission Program, regular guest lecturer on corporate and commercial law
*Business in Vancouver's CFO of the Year Awards, 2011 through 2015, Selection Committee
*"Women In" Series - Minerva Foundation 2012 through 2014, Selection Committee Member
*Wired Woman Society, Director and Secretary (2004-2008)
*CanWIT, BC Chapter, Director - Finance/Sponsorship (2008-2012)
*Best Lawyers Advisory Board, Member
Recognition and Ranking
*Named by BC Business Magazine (June, 2015) as one of BC's most influential women in Business in the Province.
*Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for mergers & acquisitions law and technology law
*Named by the Women's Executive Network as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ three times
*2013 Lexpert Zenith Award: recognized as a leading woman lawyer in Canada
Seminars/ Presentation
Speaking engagements include:
"Acquisition Agreements", 20th Negotiating Major Business Agreements Conference, Vancouver, BC (May 25-26, 2015), Speaker
"Deal Spoilers the 5 Most Common Factors that Derail Commercial Deals" Keynote Panel, Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (September 26-27, 2013), Co-chair and Panel Moderator
12th ACG Vancouver Capital Connection Western Canadian Growth Conference, Vancouver, BC (April 9, 2013), Chair
"The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement Essential Clauses" and "Managing the Client/Counsel Relationship in Business Transactions" Keynote Panel, Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (October 15-16, 2012), Co-chair, Speaker and Panel Moderator
"General Counsel's role in M&A Transactions", 11th General Counsel's Role in Maximizing Corporate Performance, Federated Press, Calgary, AB (March 13, 2012), Speaker
"Making Waves in Technology and Law", Circle of Wisdom, Canadian Women in Technology (CanWit), Vancouver, BC (January 26, 2012), Speaker
"The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement - Essential Clauses for Acquisitions" and "M&A Trend Watch Panel", 5th Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (September 20-21, 2011), Co-chair, Speaker and Panel Moderator
"The General Counsel and Corporate Acquisitions", 9th General Counsel's Role in Maximizing Corporate Performance Course - Doing Your Part to Ensure Good Corporate Governance, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC (April 13-14, 2011), Chair and Speaker
"Investment Canada Act Under Examination - A Review of Recent Events", 8th Annual Insight Information Advanced Mergers & Acquisitions Course, Vancouver, BC (December 6, 2010), Speaker
Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Dealmaker of the Year Awards, Vancouver, BC (December 1, 2010), Co-moderator
"The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement - Essential Clauses for Asset, Stock and Merger Deals", 4th Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (September 27-28, 2010), Speaker
"Negotiating Acquisition Agreements", 10th Annual Negotiating & Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC (November 2-3, 2009), Chair and Speaker
"Looking Out for Your Own: Tips for Directors and Officers in Tough Economic Times", Practical Tips for Tough Economic Times Seminar, Vancouver, BC (May 20, 2009), Speaker
"Purchase and Sale: Asset, Stock and Merger Agreements", 3rd Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC (March 2-3, 2009), Speaker
Canadian Financing Forum, Vancouver, BC (2008 and 2009), Speaker
2007 IT Can Annual Conference on Technology Law in Canada, Co-Chair
"Buying and Selling a Businessâ€Â, Law Society of British Columbia bar admission course, Frequent Lecturer and Author
Articles
Foreign Investment Review - A Warning in the Time of COVID-19
By Valerie Mann |May 2020Responses to Gaps in Government Programs for Growth Stage Innovation Companies
By Valerie Mann, Kellan McKeen |April 2020
Tervita v. Canada (Commissioner of Competition): Supreme Court of Canada Merger Analysis Case (January 26, 2015)
"Tech startups: How law firms are getting their business", Lexpert, April 2014 (April 2014)
Valerie Mann featured in Business in Vancouver, "Ask the experts: What do I need to know when going through a merger or acquisition?" (January 1, 2013), Author
Team of Lawson Lundell lawyers recognized in Lexpert Magazine's Big Deals for their role in the Keyera acquisition of Alberta EnviroFuels (May 11, 2012)
Valerie Mann named one of Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100â„¢ by Women's Executive Network (December 5, 2011)
"Reverse Break Fees - Breaking up is hard (and expensive) to do" (November 22, 2011), Author
"The Launch of the .xxx Top Level Domain Name - Protecting Your Brand's Reputation" (September 6, 2011), Co-Author
"Canada Takes on Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act" (February 9, 2011), Author
"Competition Update: Waste Not, Want Not... Canadian Competition Bureau Challenges Merger" (January 28, 2011), Author
"Is There a Chill in the Air? Recent Decisions under the Investment Canada Act (Canada)" (December 6, 2010), Author
"Is Canada Open for Business?" (November 16, 2010), Author
New Conspiracy / Cartel Law in Effect (March 29, 2010)
Lawson Lundell represents BC Hydro in the $825 million purchase of a 1/3 interest in the 493 megawatt Waneta Dam from Teck Metals Ltd. (March 22, 2010)
Federal Budget 2010 Taxation Measures of Interest to Technology Companies, Private Equity and Venture Capital (March 17, 2010)
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Transition Disclosure Update (February 25, 2010)
Purchase and Sale Agreements (November 5, 2009)
Getting The Deal Through (September 11, 2009)
Practical Tips for Tough Economic Times (May 20, 2009)
Purchase and Sale Agreements (March 21, 2009)
Acquisition Agreements (Federated Press, 2007)
“Electronic Signatures Law, 2nd Edition,†Co-author of chapter on Canadian Law (2007)", Co-author
Venture Capital Investment Terms - Comments to the NVCA Term Sheet (October 27, 2005)
Maintenance and Support Agreements: "By the Way - Sign Here" (May 7, 2002)
Venture Capital Financing: The Canadian Perspective (March 10, 2001)
Blogs
Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog
Lawson Lundell's Environmental, Indigenous and Natural Resources Blog focuses on environmental, indigenous and natural resources law, as well as related litigation. Included are summaries of significant cases from Canadian appellate courts, changes in the legal framework governing resource development including energy and climate change policy, and key decisions from the more influential regulatory bodies in Canada.
North of 60 Blog
Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.
Pensions and Employee Benefits Law Blog
Lawson Lundell's Pension and Employee Benefits Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting pension and employee benefit plans. We cover a range of topics, including recent case law and changes to relevant provincial and federal legislation.
Privacy & Data Management Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Privacy & Data Management Department. We follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. We follow emerging issues, legal developments, and new technology as they impact privacy and data management. We will focus on how organizations can protect, manage and innovate with information considering the various risks, regulatory and governance requirements.
Real Estate Law Blog
Our Real Estate Law Blog provides brief commentary on current legal trends and developments affecting your business. The topics addressed in Lawson Lundell’s Real Estate Law Blog are of interest to commercial real estate developers, real estate and strata agents, investors, landlords and tenants, as well as a variety of industry groups.
The Business Law Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
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