Cynthia Sargeant Photo
Cynthia Sargeant Photo
Cynthia Sargeant Photo

Cynthia Sargeant is a highly respected business lawyer proficient in dealing with sophisticated legal issues in the areas of Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, and Corporate Governance.

She is unique in her area of expertise bringing the experience of holding senior legal positions at two major banks prior to joining McMillan; at one bank, her responsibilities included supervising and managing all legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions and dispositions for the bank on a global basis and at the other bank, she focused on regulatory matters related to the Canadian wealth business. Prior to these two in-house positions she was a partner at one of the country’s largest law firms. Cynthia also brings an advanced financial understanding to her practice from her previous work as a chartered accountant.

Her practice involves acting for public and private companies and underwriters in connection with public offerings, private placement financings, purchase and sale transactions and negotiating complex commercial agreements, and associated governance. She has also provided advice to public issuers with respect to corporate governance requirements, securities laws, continuous disclosure obligations and stock exchange matters.



Representative Matters

  • Represented Thoma Bravo on its approximately $1.8 billion acquisition of Magnet Forensics Inc. by way of a plan of arrangement
  • CryptoStar Corp. on its acquisition of Neuro Digital Inc.
  • Fax Capital Corporation on its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, which included a ~$120M private placement, a ~$70M prospectus offering, and a share consolidation
  • Energizer Holdings Inc. in support of its acquisition of the battery and lighting business from Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. in Latin America and Asia
  • H.I.S. Co., Ltd. on its acquisition of Red Label Vacations Inc.
  • Evonik Corporation on its acquisition of the surface modification business of Interactive Investors
  • Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. on its contested acquisitions of Freewest Resources Inc. for $240M and Spider Resources Inc. for $107M
  • Wescast Industries Inc. on its $200M acquisition by Sichuan Bohong Industry Co., Ltd.
  • Gennum Corporation on its $500M acquisition by Semtech Corporation
  • Easyhome Ltd.’s on its $10.2M acquisition of Insta-Rent Inc.
  • The underwriters in connection with the $1B initial public offering of REIT units and senior unsecured debentures of Choice Properties REIT in 2013
  • CI Financial Corp. on its $450M public offering of debentures and renewal of its $1.5B shelf prospectus
  • Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership in connection with the renewal of its $1.B medium term note shelf prospectus and subsequent public offerings of notes

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Board Member, Member of Governance Committee, Canadian Mental Health Association York and South Simcoe (2018-2021)
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Board Member, Member of Governance Committee, Clarendon Foundation (2009-2011)

Education & Admissions

2004
Called to the Ontario bar
2003
Bachelor of Laws & Master of Business AdministrationOsgoode Hall Law School and Schulich School of Business, York University
1996
Master, AccountingThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1995
Bachelor of ArtsThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Publications

Insights (13 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Capital Markets Podcast: Everything You Need to Know About Going Private Transactions

What advantages do private companies have over public companies and why would a public company decide to go private? This podcast episode dives into the implications of going private transactions in Canada.

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May 31, 2023
Featured Insight

OSC Seeks Extension of Relief for Well-known Seasoned Issuers

OSC Seeks Extension of Relief for Well-known Seasoned Issuers.

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May 31, 2023
Featured Insight

Is the Sun Setting on Dual Class Share Structures?

This bulletin discusses the basic components of a DCSS, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as common shareholder protection measures.

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May 16, 2023
Featured Insight

CSA Seeks Comments on Two New Approaches to Diversity Disclosure

The Canadian Securities Administrators is seeking comments on the proposed amendments to the corporate governance disclosure rules and policies (Form 58-101F1)

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May 10, 2023
Featured Insight

A Look at Some Key Findings by the Alberta Securities Commission in Re Bison Acquisition Corp.

On December 21, 2021, a panel of the Alberta Securities Commission issued its written decision providing its reasons for the oral ruling it made on July 12, 2021 regarding applications brought by Bison Acquisition Corp. and Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation Exchange Limited Partnership, as well as Inter Pipeline Ltd. and Pembina Pipeline Corporation.

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Mar 20, 2023
Featured Insight

TSX Provides Guidance on Voting Agreements

TSX Staff Notice Provides Guidance on Voting Agreements.

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Mar 14, 2023
Featured Insight

Don’t put your LIFE on the line: US Securities Law Considerations for the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption

Considerations for issuers who intend to use the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption in connection with an offer and sale of securities in the United States.

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Feb 9, 2023
Featured Insight

Capital Markets: 2022 Legal Year in Review

McMillan LLP's Capital Markets & Securities Group discuss the key legal developments in Canadian capital markets in 2022.

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Feb 1, 2023
Featured Insight

Prospectus Exemption for Self-Certified Investors now available in Ontario

Qualifying investors can participate in prospectus-exempt distributions of Ontario issuers for up to $30,000 per year, regardless of income or assets.

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Nov 9, 2022
Featured Insight

“Project Maple” – Considerations when Buying a Canadian Public Company

Some initial considerations for foreign acquirors of Canadian public companies.

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May 4, 2022
Featured Insight

Alberta Securities Commission Provides Guidance On Shareholder Rights Plans, Break Fees and Use of Equity Swaps in Take-over Bid Context

An Alberta decision has held that the use of swaps in a hostile take-over bid can be abusive, and added guidance on shareholder rights plans and break fees.

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Jan 12, 2022
Featured Insight

Will a Billion Dollar Termination Shift the M&A Landscape?

The authors discuss the Ontario Superior Court of Justice's decision in Cineplex v. Cineworld, a "busted deal" case about interim operating covenants.

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Dec 17, 2021
Featured Insight

Pilot Well-Known Seasoned Issuer Program Announced

Canadian securities regulators announce pilot program permitting a "well-known seasoned issuer" to streamline the filing of a base shelf prospectus process.

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Dec 13, 2021