Skip Navigation

About Christopher

Christopher's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and finance transactions, and advising on governance and general corporate and securities law matters. His clients include private equity and venture capital funds and companies ranging from publicly traded multinationals to early-stage ventures that operate in a variety of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, technology, manufacturing and mining.

Many of Chris's clients are in the life sciences and technology industries, and he is a founder of Nitro powered by Blakes, an initiative that focuses on providing accessible legal services to emerging technology and life sciences companies and supporting the ecosystem through dedicated programming, involvement in community events and partnerships.

Prior to joining Blakes, Chris spent five years practising law in the United States.

Select Experience

Recent representative matters include acting for:

  • Strategic and financial investors including Schneider Electric Industries, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Borealis Capital, Lifelabs, Juniper Networks, Lazard Freres, Fortress Investment Group, BHP Billiton, Alberta Investment Management Corporation and Accedo Invest AB in connection with their acquisitions of publicly traded and private companies

  • Private equity and venture funds including Banyan Capital, Radar Capital, Avego Healthcare Capital, Highland Capital Partners, Khosla Ventures, Elephant Partners, CTI Capital, Porchlight Equity Management and Manufacturers Life Insurance Company in connection with their investments and acquisitions

  • A diverse range of clients that include Lazard Freres, Evercore, HCL Technologies, Lifelabs, Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine, Element Fleet Management Corp., Metamaterials Technologies, Orion Health Group, Encycle Therapeutics, KD Pharma Bexbach, Scalar Decisions, Nanology Labs, Cryptiv Inc. and PolicyMe Corp. in connection with providing general corporate and securities law advice

Awards & Recognition

Chris is recognized in the following publications:

  • The Legal 500 Canada 2025 (AI)

  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2021 (Private Equity)

Professional Activities

Some of Chris's recent activities include speaking and moderating discussion panels on management buy-outs, venture fund formation and investing and governance best practices for privately held companies, as well as developing a legal education program for companies involved in Johnson & Johnson's JLabs.

Education

Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar – 2001
Admitted to the Ontario Bar – 1997
LLB, Dalhousie University – 1995
MA, University of Victoria – 1992
BA (Hon.), University of Toronto – 1990

More insights

Save Profile

Select sections to customize your PDF

Cancel