John Roberts

​

I have a Bachelor of Science from Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto.

I have over 23 years of extensive legal experience advising and assisting business clients on wide-ranging areas of legal and business issues.

I have acted for hundreds of international, national, and provincial corporations (both public and private), partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, and charitable organizations.  From owner-operated to multi-national, I have provided support to these businesses, contributing positively to their growth and success.

I have deep and broad experience in the following transactions:
 

     -    Corporate restructuring
     -    Estate and tax planning reorganizations
     -    Business sales, acquisitions and mergers
     -    Joint ventures
     -    Commercial land acquisition and development, including zoning and environmental assessments
     -    Commercial leases
     -    Debt financing, including general and specific security.

I have actively negotiated such transactions, prepared agreements, performed due diligence, advised on tax implications and ensured timely and high quality completion.

I have acted for businesses in diverse industries, including:

     -    Transportation: trucking, water shipping, railway
     -    Construction: developers, general contractors and specialized subcontractors
     -    Manufacturing: chemicals, plastics, technology, foods (processed and perishable)
     -    Services: professionals and consultants
     -    Agricultural: livestock and grains
     -    Mining and energy.

For these clients, I have provided general corporate counsel to facilitate strategic business objectives, operational efficiency, tax minimization and risk management.

I have advised cross-border clients on contracts, shipping, sale of goods, insurance, bonding, tax, and jurisdictional issues.  I have collaborated with specialized lawyers, accountants, consultants and staff to assist clients in realizing their desired goals and results.  I have more recently provided guidance to clients on hedging for currency and commodity volatility.

From 1998 to 2005, I acted for a number of construction clients involved in the “leaky condo” cases in British Columbia.  I assisted those clients on insurance coverage issues, minimizing financial exposure and developing business practices to reduce future risk.  These files required coordinating outside counsel and negotiating multi-party dispute resolutions in complex litigation.

I have acted for a public oil and gas exploration corporation by providing general corporate counsel and securities regulatory compliance.

​

With respect to human resource issues, I have provided advice on employee/management and contractor/consulting issues.  In addition to general corporate counsel, I have assisted in the timely and cost-effective resolution of cases involving employee theft, human rights complaints and employment arbitration.

In approximately 2002, I assisted a corporate client with the drafting of recommendations to the Government of British Columbia for the regulation of onsite sewage systems.  The Government adopted many of these recommendations that allowed for my client to produce proprietary systems that are now exported worldwide.

I have extensive personal and professional experience with charitable organizations.  I have facilitated the creation of a private foundation and a charity.  I believe in the importance of contributing to the health and well-being of our community by giving financially and volunteering.
I credit my ability to achieve results for my business clients, and personally, on:

     -    Hard work
     -    Effective time-management skills
     -    Ability to prioritize projects and assignments
     -    Creative problem-solving.

I believe that even in difficult circumstances, by working and collaborating with others to find solutions, positive outcomes can be achieved.