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Aaron E. Sonshine

Partner

Partner | Email

T: 416.777.6448

Email

Toronto

Sonshine Aaron
 
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

T: 416.777.6448


Email

Toronto

  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

Aaron Sonshine practises corporate and securities law with particular emphasis on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate governance matters. In his M&A practice, Aaron advises acquirors and target companies involved in friendly and hostile takeover bids, plans of arrangement, reverse takeovers and other business combination transactions. In his corporate finance practice, Aaron represents issuers, securities dealers and institutional investors in a wide range of financing transactions, including IPOs, secondary offerings, private placements, and other forms of debt and equity financing. Aaron's corporate governance experience includes advising management and boards of directors on executive and board compensation, director and officer liability, and regulatory compliance matters.

What Clients Say

"Aaron is a fantastic lawyer. He could not be more insightful about the industry and is ultra responsive."

Aaron has extensive experience in agribusiness and life sciences, mining, power and utilities, and tech, among others.

Aaron is ranked Band 1 by Chambers Canada as well as being named a Lexpert Rising Star for 2017, as one of Canada’s leading lawyers under 40, a leading energy lawyer in Lexpert's Special Edition—Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers and a leading mining lawyer in Lexpert’s Report on Business Special Edition – Canada’s Leading Global Mining Lawyers. He is also repeatedly recommended for Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance and Securities in Lexpert.

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 2006

Bar Admissions

Ontario, 2007

Recent Experience

A syndicate of underwriters, led by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, in the $15.9-million bought deal short form prospectus offering of The Flowr Corporation.
A syndicate of underwriters, led by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, in the $22.7-million bought deal offering of units of Aleafia Health Inc.
VIVO Cannabis Inc. in its $8-million overnight marketed public offering of 38,333,334 units, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
A syndicate of underwriters, led by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, in the $33.4-million bought deal equity financing of units of MediPharm Labs Corp.
Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., leading the syndicate of underwriters in connection with Orla Mining Ltd.’s $75-million brokered bought deal of common shares.
Cresco Labs Inc., in its acquisition of Tryke Companies, including the Reef Dispensary Portfolio, for US$252.5 million for Tryke operating assets plus US$30 million for Tryke real estate assets.
Cresco Labs Inc., in a public offering of 7,350,000 units at a price per unit of $10.00 for gross proceeds of $73,500,000.
TerrAscend Corp., in its non-brokered private placement of common shares for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $69 million.
48North Cannabis Corp., in its bought-deal short-form prospectus offering of units for gross proceeds of $28.75 million.
Lead investor in MedMen Enterprises' IPO round of financing. 
Lead investor in Cura Partners Inc./Cura Cannabis Solutions' private round of financing. 
Cresco Labs, in its $1.1-billion acquisition of Origin House, the largest public company acquisition in the history of the U.S. cannabis sector.
A syndicate of agents, led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., in the brokered private placement of units of LiveWell Foods Canada Inc. for aggregate gross proceeds of $10 million.
Canaccord Genuity Corp., as sole agent and sole bookrunner, in the brokered private placement of special warrants of CLS Holdings USA, Inc. for aggregate gross proceeds of $13 million.
Canaccord Genuity Corp., as sole agent and sole bookrunner, in the brokered private placement of convertible debentures of Central Coast Agriculture, Inc. for aggregate gross proceeds of up to US$25 million.
A syndicate of agents, led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., in the brokered private placement of convertible debentures of CLS Holdings USA, Inc. for aggregate gross proceeds of up to US$20 million.
48North Cannabis Corp., in its supply agreement with, and ultimate acquisition of, Good & Green.
48North Cannabis Corp., in its go-public transaction with Kramer Capital Corp.
FV Pharma Inc., in its amalgamation with Century Financial Capital Group.
Indiva Limited, in its completed $60-million reverse takeover transaction, resulting in the company's listing on the TSX Venture Exchange which was supported by a $23-million financing.
Lead counsel to Harvest One Cannabis, a global cannabis company servicing both the medical and recreational cannabis markets, in Canada and internationally, in their C$60-million Canadian listing which was supported by a C$25-million financing, and in C$65 million of subsequent bought deal financings.
Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp., in a $50-million special warrant and convertible debenture financing led by Mackie Research Capital.
Harvest One Cannabis, in its $70-million listing on the TSX Venture Exchange and concurrent $25-million financing led by Mackie Research Capital.
Beleave Inc., in a non-brokered private placement of units at a price of $1.50 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $9.95 million.
Algonquin Power Co., in completion of $300-million private placement offering of 4.09% senior unsecured debentures.
Ascendant Resources Inc., in its $20-million public offering of units containing common shares and warrants through a syndicate of underwriters led by Eight Capital.
Ascendant Resources Inc., in its acquisition of the El Mochito Mine from Nyrstar N.V.
Supreme Pharmaceuticals Inc., in a $55 million private placement of convertible debenture units. 
A syndicate of agents, led by GMP Securities L.P., in Orla Mining Ltd.'s $50-million brokered private placement of subscription receipts in conjunction with Orla's merger with Pershimco Resources Inc. by plan of arrangement.
Syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets and Scotiabank, in a secondary sale by Emera Inc. on a "bought block trade" basis of 50.1 million common shares of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. for aggregate gross proceeds to Emera Inc. of Cdn.$544 million.
A syndicate of underwriters, co-led by CIBC World Markets Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc., in Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp.'s $1.1-billion offering of convertible debentures on an installment basis to partially.
The Special Committee of Silver Bullion Trust, in SBT's conversion to an Exchange Traded Fund in partnership with Purpose Investments Inc.
BMO Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets, as co-lead underwriters of the $155-million initial public offering of TMAC Resources Inc.
The Special Committee of Central GoldTrust, in Sprott Asset Management's $1-billion hostile takeover bid for all the outstanding Units of Central GoldTrust
The Special Committee of Silver Bullion Trust, in the Trust's successful defense against a dissident unitholder meeting requisition and subsequent proxy contest.
The Special Committee of Silver Bullion Trust, in Sprott Asset Management's $62-million hostile takeover bid for all the outstanding Units of Silver Bullion Trust.
The Special Committee of Central GoldTrust, in the Trust's successful defense against a dissident unitholder proposal and subsequent proxy contest.
Syndicate of underwriters led by GMP Securities L.P, in Jemi Fibre Corp's. $13-million bought deal equity financing.
A syndicate of agents, co-led by CIBC World Markets and BMO Capital Markets, in TMAC Resources Inc.'s $44-million private placement of common shares and flow-through common shares.
A syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc. and TD Securities Inc., in Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.'s $172.5-million common share offering.
Agents in TMAC Resources Inc.'s $78-million equity financing to advance the Hope Bay Project.
A syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc., in Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.'s public offering of Cumulative Rate Reset Preferred Shares for gross proceeds of $100 million.
A syndicate of agents led by National Bank Financial and Scotia Capital, in a private placement of $200 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured debentures of Algonquin Power Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp.
Canaccord Genuity Corp., RBC Dominion Securities and BMO Nesbitt Burns as co-lead underwriters in the $75-million bought deal prospectus offering of trust units of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust.
Klondex Mines Ltd., in its US$83-million acquisition of the Midas mine and mill complex in Nevada from Newmont Mining Corporation, and related acquisition financings.
A syndicate of underwriters co-led by GMP Securities L.P. and National Bank Financial Inc., in the $18 million marketed prospectus deal of units of NorthWest International Healthcare Properties REIT.
A syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., RBC Capital Markets and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. in connection with a bought deal offering of $184 million of subscription receipts of Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (PIRET). Proceeds of the offering will be applied toward the purchase by PIRET of a $358 million portfolio of industrial properties from an affiliate of Slate Properties Inc.
C2C Industrial Properties Inc., in its $226-million acquisition by Dundee Industrial REIT.
Syndicate of underwriters co-led by National Bank Financial Inc. and GMP Securities Ltd., in the $20-million bought deal prospectus offering of 6.50% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures of NorthWest International Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust.
CIBC World Markets Inc., in the brokered private placement of common shares and flow-through common shares of TMAC Resources Inc. for aggregate gross proceeds of $35 million and concurrent acquisition of the Hope Bay Gold Project from a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation.
The syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., in Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust's public offering of trust units for gross proceeds of $69.7 million.
A syndicate of agents led by National Bank Financial and BMO Nesbitt Burns, in a private placement of $150 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured debentures of Algonquin Power Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp.
The syndicate of underwriters co-led by GMP Securities L.P. and National Bank Financial Inc., in NorthWest International Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's public offering of trust units for gross proceeds of $25 million.
A syndicate of underwriters led by Scotia Capital and TD Securities, in Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.'s public offering of Cumulative Rate Reset Preferred Shares for gross proceeds of $120 million.
Crius Energy Trust, in its $100 million initial public offering of trust units.
Glencore International, in its acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Viterra for approximately $6.1 billion by way of a plan of arrangement and the sale of certain assets of Viterra to each of Agrium and Richardson International for aggregate proceeds of approximately $2.6 billion.
Glencore International, in its sale to CF Industries of Viterra's 34% stake in Canadian Fertilizers Limited following closing of Glencore's supported $6.1-billion acquisition of Viterra Inc.
Glencore International, in the Canadian aspects of its proposed US$90 billion all share merger with Xstrata.
Marathon PGM Corporation, a former TSX issuer, in its $130-million acquisition by Stillwater Mining Company, an NYSE listed palladium and platinum producer, and the concurrent spinout and TSX listing of Marathon's wholly-owned subsidiary, Marathon Gold Corporation, under a plan of arrangement. (2011)
Key institutional shareholders of Mediterranean Resources Ltd., a TSX issuer, in a proxy dispute that successfully resulted in changes to the company's board of directors and management. (2011)
Desert Gold Ventures Inc., a TSX Venture Exchange issuer, in a subscription receipt financing and the concurrent acquisition of development stage gold assets in Rwanda, Mali and Senegal. (2011)
Brigus Gold Corp., in its $50-million short form prospectus offering and listing of convertible debentures on the TSX. (2011)
Brigus Gold Corp., in its $57.5-million short form prospectus offering of flow-through shares and non flow-through units. (2010)
World Point Terminals Inc., an operator of oil terminals formerly listed on the TSX, in its going private transaction by way of a management buy-out which valued the company at $500 million. (2010)
Special Committee of Spider Resources Inc., a former TSX Venture Exchange issuer and co-owner of the "Ring of Fire" chrome deposit in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario, in its negotiated $125-million takeover bid by Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (2010)
Apollo Gold Corporation, in its merger, by way of a plan of arrangement, with Linear Gold Corp., resulting in the formation of Brigus Gold Corp., a mid-tier gold producer listed on the TSX and NYSE Amex. (2010)
Syndicate of agents in a $60 million private placement of units of Aurcana Corporation, a silver producer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. (2010)
Aquiline Resources Inc., a former TSX issuer, in its acquisition by Pan American Silver Corp. by way of a negotiated cash and stock takeover bid for total consideration of $625 million. (2009)
Polaris Geothermal Inc., in a plan of arrangement involving the amalgamation of Polaris, Western GeoPower Corp. and GTO Resources Inc. and the acquisition of Ram Power Inc., resulting in the formation and TSX listing of Ram Power, Corp., together with a concurrent $180-million subscription receipt financing. (2009)

Recent Recognition

Chambers Canada
Ranked Band 1, Cannabis
The Legal 500 Canada
Recognized as a leading lawyer
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Consistently Recommended, Corporate Finance & Securities
Repeatedly Recommended, Mergers & Acquisitions
Repeatedly Recommended, Mining
Lexpert Rising Star
Rising Star winner
Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers
Recognized as a leading energy lawyer
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Global Mining Lawyers
Recognized as leading mining lawyer in Canada
Lexpert Special Edition on Agribusiness & Cannabis
Recognized as one of Canada's leading lawyers in Agribusiness and Cannabis
Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading Finance and M&A Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Finance and M&A lawyer

Insights, News & Events

Announcements

36 Bennett Jones Lawyers in Lexpert's Special Edition on Finance and M&A

April 16, 2021
       

Speaking Engagements

Canadian SPACs and IPOs for Israeli Tech Companies

March 09, 2021
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Leads Canada in Energy Law

October 27, 2020
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Recognized in Chambers Canada 2021

September 10, 2020
       

Announcements

21 Bennett Jones Lawyers in Lexpert's Agribusiness and Cannabis 2020

June 11, 2020
       

Blog

Health Canada Provides Update to Cannabis Licence Holders on Temporary COVID-19 Relief Measures

May 08, 2020
       

In the News

Aaron Sonshine on the Cannabis and Alcohol Industries in Business Insider

January 30, 2020
       

Blog

Securities Regulators Provide Guidance to Improve Transparency for Reporting Issuers in the Cannabis Industry, Providing Lessons for All

December 16, 2019
       

In the News

Aaron Sonshine in Lexpert on Cannabis: One Year Later

November 19, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones is Top-Tier in The Legal 500

November 18, 2019
       

In the News

Aaron Sonshine on Cannabis 2.0 in Canada

October 17, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones' Leading Lawyers in Chambers Canada 2020

September 19, 2019
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Leads Canada in Energy Law

September 03, 2019
       

Articles

CSA issues revised staff notice issuers with US marijuana-related activities

June 06, 2018
       

Articles

Hot Opportunities in Cannabis 2.0

June 06, 2018
       

Articles

Trends Canadian cannabis companies need to know

June 06, 2018
       

In the News

Aaron Sonshine in Ottawa Citizen on Cannabis Branding

April 03, 2018
       

Blog

CSA Issues Revised Staff Notice Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities

February 14, 2018
       

Blog

Canada 2018 Cannabis Regulation: P.E.I. Releases New Details

January 18, 2018
       

Blog

Canada 2018 Cannabis Regulation - Provincial Update

January 15, 2018
       

Announcements

David McKinnon and Aaron Sonshine Lexpert Rising Stars 2017

November 17, 2017
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Featured in The American Lawyer: Cannabis in Canada

November 15, 2017
       

Blog

Ontario Becomes First Province to Introduce Cannabis Legislation

November 07, 2017
       

Blog

New Guidance Provided for Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities

October 20, 2017
       

Blog

Bennett Jones and Global Public Affairs Host Round Table on the State of Canadian Politics on Cannabis

October 12, 2017
       

Blog

Alberta Releases Proposed Cannabis Framework

October 06, 2017
       

Blog

Standing Committee on Health Amends Cannabis Act to Include Edibles and Concentrates

October 05, 2017
       

Blog

Ontario Provincial Government Announces Recreational Cannabis Retail and Distribution Framework

September 11, 2017
       

In the News

Hugo Alves and Aaron Sonshine in Canadian Press on Investing in U.S. Cannabis Sector

June 12, 2017
       

Blog

Four Key Takeaways from the Lift Cannabis Expo

June 07, 2017
       

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