Evelyn Li
Evelyn Li
Biography
Evelyn Li is a corporate and securities law partner, and a member of the firm's top-ranked special situations team, which has played a leading role in Canada's most high-profile shareholder activist and defence mandates. She has a broad business law practice, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, corporate governance and general corporate and commercial matters. With extensive experience managing cross-functional and cross-border client and project teams, she is able to quickly identify issues and solutions for clients by leveraging our firm's global platform and resources.
Evelyn has advised clients, including management teams, boards and special committees, private equity and other investors, on complex and high-stakes purchase and sale transactions, financings, corporate reorganizations, take-over bids and proxy contests. She also has experience working with clients in various industries, including in the financial, retail, pharmaceutical, technology and mining sectors.
Evelyn is a member of our Canadian partnership committee and Toronto student committee, and a supporter of our Women in Norton Rose (WiN) network and PRIDE network. She has participated as a speaker and moderator in both firm and external corporate governance, career development and diversity and inclusion panels.
Professional experience
Representative experience
Representative experience
Evelyn acted recently for the following clients:
Special Situations
- Aimia Inc. with its successful private placement in the context of a hostile take-over bid by Mithaq Canada Inc.
- The concerned shareholders of TSX-listed Guyana Goldfields Inc. in connection with a successful settlement of a requisitioned meeting to reconstitute the issuer's board of directors and the replacement of its CEO
- Special committee of KEYreit in connection with its defence against a hostile take-over bid by Huntingdon Capital Corp.
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Nordstar Capital LP with its acquisition of Torstar Corporation pursuant to a plan of arrangement
- Smoothwater Capital Corporation with its acquisition of Haventree Bank (formerly Equity Financial Holdings Inc.) and its OSFI-regulated mortgage lending business
- Icahn Enterprises LP with its US$340 million acquisition of the US automotive aftermarket product distribution business of TSX-listed Uni-Select Inc.
Corporate and Commercial Matters
- Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited in connection with various projects in and outside of Canada and day-to-day corporate and commercial matters
- A global pharmaceutical client in connection with the global reorganization of its business in Canada, and ongoing corporate matters
Corporate Finance and Securities
- The initial public offering of VerticalScope Holdings Inc. and its listing on the TSX
- The underwriting syndicate in connection with multiple prospectus offerings of trust units by InterRent REIT for gross proceeds of over C$635 million
Rankings and recognitions
Rankings and recognitions
- Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers, 2025
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, 2021: recommended in Mergers & Acquisitions
Education
Education
LL.B., Queen's University, 2005
B.Com., University of British Columbia, 1999
Admissions
Admissions
- Ontario 2006
Memberships and activities
Memberships and activities
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
- Ontario Bar Association
- Alumni mentor for Queen's Law Professional Network (ProNet)
- Alumni Ambassador for UBC Sauder Alumni Community in Toronto
- Board of directors, The National Club, Toronto (2017-2023)
Insights and news
Insights
News
