Tom Theodorakis is a business lawyer and provides practical advice to assist clients in achieving their business goals. Tom has been highly recommended as leading lawyer in Agribusiness: Forestry by Chambers and Partners. He is also included in The Best lawyers in Canada in Natural Resources Law and is ranked as a leading lawyer in Forestry Law by Lexpert.
Tom practices corporate, commercial and natural resources law. He has significant experience working with public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, forest products and mining industry projects. He also
has experience with corporate and debt restructurings and reorganizations, and with acquisitions of distressed companies. He has acted as lead counsel on numerous transactions. He also provides ongoing advice on corporate governance and
regulatory and compliance matters.
What led you to pursue a career specifically in business law?
During law school I took a corporate transactions course which kicked off my interest in mergers & acquisitions and business law. I became intrigued by the dynamics in large M&A deals. Although I started off wanting to practice tax, during my first few years in practice I was fortunate to work on some large transactions like the BC Tel/Telus merger and that sealed the deal for me as my chosen practice area. It’s the team work and interaction that I find most satisfying.
What attracted you to Forestry Law and in the natural resources?
I sort of fell into forestry law. I’m primarily a business lawyer and as part of the M&A work I did early on in my career I was fortunate to work with some of the larger forest products companies in British Columbia and gained experience that way. I am by no means a forestry law expert, I am a business lawyer and have learned as I go by helping clients navigate various business and regulatory challenges. The practice of law is truly a continuing education process.
What do you enjoy most about your current position at your firm?
I enjoy the diversity of my practice and team work. I work with a few clients and help them on a broad range of diverse topics and legal and business issues, from commercial contracts, to finance, M&A, corporate governance and regulatory issues and work with great team at our firm to do so. The breath and diversity of what I do is what keeps it interesting and challenging.
Why did you decide to join the Centre for Business Law Dean's Advisory Committee?
Our firm has been a supporter of the Center for Business Law and is grateful in being involved and helping to support the Centre and the law school and its contributions to business law and the next generation of business lawyers.
What piece of advice do you wish you had received before entering the legal profession?
The importance of keeping an open mind and being flexible in your approach to legal issues and client challenges. In many cases there is no one right answer and there is lots of grey and our role as business lawyers is to help clients to achieve their goals while minimizing their legal risks. In this profession, mentorship is key and new lawyers should never underestimate the importance of working with a good mentor early in their careers.
Last Updated: Summer 2020
