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Lucas Stevens-Hall

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Steve Balon

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

In recent years, family offices have evolved from indirect, secondary and/or background investors into highly active and influential players in the private equity space. In 2025, this shift is no longer a trend, it is a defining feature of the market with family offices at the forefront of new investment trends and strategies.

Family Offices Driving Change in PE

Family Offices Driving Change in Private Equity: Key Trends and Investment Structures

Andrew N. Disipio

Securities, Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Steven Bodi

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jeff Taylor

Corporate Commercial Lawyer, Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) has announced updates to its policy on escrow and resale restrictions. The immediately effective updates amended and renamed Policy 5.4 – Capital Structure, Escrow and Resale Restrictions (New Policy 5.4)

TSX Venture Exchange Updates Escrow Policy for New Listings

Christopher J. Doucet

Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Against the current backdrop of global market uncertainty, on April 17, 2025, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) announced new incremental measures aimed at reducing regulatory burden for reporting issuers, facilitating capital raising for new reporting issuers and supporting the competitiveness of Canadian capital markets (collectively, the CSA Measures).

Canadian Securities Regulators Take Further Incremental Steps to Promote Access to Capital Markets

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Corporate Commercial and Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Julia Amelio

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Luke Stretch

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

G2S2 Capital Inc., under its banner Armco Alberta, has announced the acquisition of Bow Valley Square, an iconic four-tower, LEED Platinum-certified office complex in the heart of downtown Calgary. Bennett Jones is acting as legal counsel to G2S2 Capital Inc.

G2S2 Capital Inc Acquires Bow Valley Square in Calgary

G2S2 Capital Inc. Acquires Bow Valley Square in Calgary

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit

Bennett Jones Welcomes 12 New Partners

About Bennett Jones

Authors


Bennett Jones Announcement Bennett Jones Welcomes 12 New Partners March 11, 2024 Authors Steven BodiPartner Denise BrunsdonPartner, Trademark Agent David CassinPartner Nicholas A. EmterPartner Alex PaynePartner Benjamin K. ReingoldPartner Matt RiskinPartner Michael SelnesPartner Lucas Stevens-HallPartner Adam W. TaylorPartner Jeff TaylorPartner Ian W. ThompsonPartner Bennett Jones is pleased to announce 12 new partners. These remarkable individuals and leaders at the firm serve clients from our offices across Canada in our key industry groups and practice areas. Steven Bodi—Corporate Law, Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions Denise Brunsdon—Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property and Health Law David Cassin—Employment Services Nicholas Emter—Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Alexander Payne—Commercial Litigation and Class Action Litigation Benjamin Reingold—Intellectual Property Litigation Matthew Riskin—Commercial Litigation and Employment Services Michael Selnes—Restructuring and Insolvency, Health Law and Commercial Litigation Lucas Stevens-Hall—Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Adam Taylor—Banking and Secured Transactions Jeff Taylor—Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Ian Thompson—Commercial Litigation About Bennett Jones Bennett Jones is one of Canada’s premier business law firms and home to 500 lawyers and business advisors. With deep experience in complex transactions and litigation matters, the firm is well equipped to advise businesses and investors with Canadian ventures and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world. Serving clients since 1922, we are proud to be the firm that businesses trust with their most complex legal matters. Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Steven Bodi, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3048 • bodis@bennettjones.com Denise Brunsdon, Partner, Trademark Agent Calgary • 403.298.3060 • brunsdond@bennettjones.com David Cassin, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5523 • cassind@bennettjones.com Nicholas A. Emter, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3217 • emtern@bennettjones.com Alex Payne, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5512 • paynea@bennettjones.com Benjamin K. Reingold, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4662 • reingoldb@bennettjones.com Matt Riskin, Partner Edmonton • 780.969.2659 • riskinm@bennettjones.com Michael Selnes, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3311 • selnesm@bennettjones.com Lucas Stevens-Hall, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4685 • stevens-halll@bennettjones.com Adam W. Taylor, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5515 • taylorad@bennettjones.com Jeff Taylor, Partner Vancouver • 604.891.5340 • taylorje@bennettjones.com Ian W. Thompson, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5516 • thompsoni@bennettjones.com