Robert Farmer

Robert Farmer

Partner
Toronto

Robert Farmer is a partner in Dickinson Wright’s Toronto office, where he focuses his practice on banking and finance and corporate law. Before practicing law, Robert was a senior officer with Royal Bank of Canada, president of an investment bank, and head of an investment fund. His practice builds upon his 20-year career in finance and investment banking, and he represents clients in banking and finance law, real estate matters, corporate law, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and administrative and regulatory matters. Robert leverages his business background to provide practical and experience-based legal advice to his clients.

Education & Credentials

Education

Saint Mary's University

B. Com, B.A., 1988
  • cum laude
  • Dean's List

 

Dalhousie University

LL.B., M.B.A, 1992
  • Entrance Scholarship (LL.B./M.B.A)
  • Fellowship from Canadian Department of International Business & External Affairs (M.B.A)

CFA Institute

Chartered Financial Analyst, 2001

Areas Of Practice

Administrative & Regulatory Banking & Financial Services Corporate Corporate Finance Gaming & Hospitality Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity Real Estate Real Estate Finance Securities

Prominent Assignments

Robert’s practice builds upon his 20 year career in finance and investment banking.  Robert leverages his business background to provide practical and experience-based legal advice to his clients.

Previously Robert was a senior officer with Royal Bank of Canada, president of an investment bank and head of an investment fund.

Banking & Financial Services / Real Estate

Robert represents Canada’s largest bank as lead counsel in major real estate development financings (both syndicated and non-syndicated), including financing of land acquisitions, servicing and construction.

Robert also represents clients in the capacity as both landlord and tenant, with respect to commercial lease agreements.

Robert represents the Canadian subsidiaries of prominent foreign-based financial institutions with respect to participation in large Canadian syndicated financings.

Robert is lead counsel representing a foreign based group engaged in development of large-scale student housing projects.

Robert represents a privately held lending company engaged in operations across Canada.

 
Corporate / Corporate Finance / Securities / Private Equity
 
Robert represents privately held clients with respect to their capital requirements, including senior debt, subordinated debt and equity financings, and in regards to compliance with financing agreements, securities laws and regulations.
 
Robert is part of the DW legal team representing an issuer of more than $500 million in prospectus-exempt debenture private placements.  Legal services include: incorporation of issuer companies; drafting of offering memorandums, subscription agreements, trust indentures and operational agreements; and regulatory filings.
 
Robert has negotiated and drafted a wide variety of corporate documents, including complex shareholder agreements, shareholder loan & investment agreements, operating / management agreements, employment agreements and regulatory registrations.
 
Mergers & Acquisitions
 
Robert advises Canadian based companies and foreign companies on acquisitions of Canadian companies, involving both asset purchases and share purchases.  The representations include: drafting of the purchase and sale agreements; negotiating and drafting complex buy-out agreements, on-going management agreements, third party supply agreements, lease agreements & IP license agreements; and CRA filings.
 
Administrative & Regulatory / E-Commerce
 
Robert represents a variety of clients on compliance with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, privacy laws, and consumer laws.
 
Robert has significant experience in advising clients in the area of E-commerce, including website documents (terms of use, account agreements, privacy policies), Internet agreements (conducting sales through the Internet, including compliance with Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act), and internal compliance guidelines / protocols.

Professional Involvement

  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Canadian Bar Association

Publications/Presentations

Insights

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