Vanessa Grant

Senior Partner Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Toronto +1 416 216 4056

Vanessa Grant

Vanessa Grant is a Senior Partner in the business law group of our Toronto office and Co‑Head of the firm’s Private Equity practice in Canada. Known for her strategic insight and cross-sector expertise, Vanessa is a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex corporate and financial transactions.

Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, fund formation, corporate finance, corporate governance, and private equity and venture capital matters for both public and private companies. Vanessa regularly advises on high-stakes transactions and financings across industries, with particular strength in sectors where value is driven by intellectual property, including technology, life sciences, agribusiness, entertainment, consumer markets, and other capital‑intensive sectors.

Vanessa’s clients range from emerging companies to established corporates, and emerging managers to established managers, all of whom value her ability to combine deep legal expertise with practical, results-oriented counsel.

Clients rely on Vanessa not only for her technical knowledge but also for her capacity to anticipate challenges, structure innovative solutions, and guide transactions. Her track record and industry insight help her support clients looking to maximize value and achieve their strategic objectives.

Professional experience

Rankings and recognitions

Best Lawyers in Canada: Venture Capital Law, 2023-2026; Technology Law, 2024-2026; Private Funds Law, 2026
Chambers Canada, Nationwide: Life Sciences - Corporate/Commercial, Chambers and Partners, 2020-2026
Chambers Canada, Nationwide: Startups & Emerging Companies, Chambers and Partners, 2019-2024, 2026
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, 2016-2025: Corporate Finance & Securities, Corporate Mid-Market, Mergers & Acquisitions, Life Sciences & Health, Private Equity, Technology Transactions; 2023-2025: Corporate Commercial Law
Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: Corporate Mid-Market, 2024
Who's Who Legal: Canada - Life Sciences, Private Funds 2017, 2020

Education

LL.B., Queen's University, 1995
B.Mus., University of Toronto, 1992
B.A., University of Toronto, 1996

Admissions

Ontario 1997

Publications

M&A in Uncertain Times: The Opportunity in Canada https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/knowledge/publications/002335f1/m-a-in-uncertain-times-the-opportunity-in-canada
Tariff Uncertainty in M&A Deals https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-ca/knowledge/publications/e0b75101/tariff-uncertainty-and-ma-deals
Mitigating Tariff Risks for Healthcare in the US and Canada https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-ca/knowledge/publications/b086b4be/mitigating-tariff-risks-for-healthcare-in-us-and-canada

Speaking engagements

Deloitte CFO Academy (September 2025)
Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association: Understanding the Shifting Economic Landscape and its Impact on Private Capital (May 2025)
Undisputed: Closing with Confidence (Podcast) (December 2024)
Economic Club of Canada: Healthcare Horizons: Navigating the Future of Canadian Wellness (May 2024)

Memberships and activities

Chair, Board of Directors, UTS Foundation
Chair, Board of Directors, Arctic Basecamp
Adjunct Faculty Member, York University (Commercializing Intellectual Property)
Coach, Queens University Faculty of Law, Davies Corporate and Securities Law Moot