Biography
Derek practises corporate and commercial law, with a primary focus on mergers and acquisitions, as well as intellectual property and technology, and commercial real estate.
He advises purchasers, vendors, management teams, and investors on a wide range of domestic and cross-border transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations, and strategic investments. With more than 30 years of experience, Derek brings a practical, commercially focused approach to complex transactions at all stages of the business life cycle.
Derek also has deep experience in intellectual property and technology matters that are often central to M&A transactions. He is a registered trademark agent, licensed by the Canadian Association of Patent and Trademark Agents, and regularly advises technology-driven businesses.
In addition, Derek advises on commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, development, financing, and leasing, both as stand-alone mandates and as part of broader corporate and M&A transactions.
Derek leads the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology practices and serves as Chair of the firm’s Technology Committee.
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in Canada, Information Technology Law
Select Experience
- Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures of privately held businesses
- Share and asset purchase transactions, corporate reorganizations, and post-closing integrations
- Leveraged and management-led buyouts
- Corporate finance, secured lending, and acquisition financing
- Intellectual property strategy, trademark application and prosecution, and IP licensing
- Information technology contracting, including cloud and SaaS arrangements, software and data licensing, cybersecurity and data protection, artificial intelligence–enabled solutions, managed services, and other technology-enabled commercial agreements
- Franchising and trademark licensing
- Commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, development, financing, and leasing
- Corporate governance and the structuring of shareholder, partnership, and ownership arrangements
Education
- Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 1992
Bar Admissions
- Manitoba, 1993
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Canadian Bar Association, Manitoba Branch
- Registered Trademark Agent, Canadian Association of Patent and Trademark Agents