Overview
Jon Feldman is a partner and heads a business law group at Goodmans. His practice focuses on corporate and securities law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Jon has extensive experience acting for buyers and sellers in a wide range of industries in both private and public M&A transactions.
Jon’s market leading practice in Canada in the area of shareholder activism is highlighted by his involvement in a number of the most high profile proxy contests representing both dissident shareholders and boards of directors. Jon also provides strategic advice in litigation matters requiring corporate and securities law knowledge.
Before joining Goodmans in 2004, Jon was an associate in the M&A Group of White & Case LLP in New York, where he represented clients in a broad range of M&A transactions.
Jon is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer by publications including: Chambers Canada (corporate/commercial – Ontario), The Legal 500 Canada (corporate M&A), IFLR1000 (M&A), Euromoney's Banking, finance and transaction Expert Guide (M&A), The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (M&A, private equity and corporate finance & securities), The Lexpert/ALM Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (M&A), and Best Lawyers in Canada (corporate governance, M&A, corporate, leveraged buyouts and private equity). He is featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A, and has also been honoured as one of Lexpert’s Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40.
Expertise
Awards & Recognition
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Chambers Canada Recognized, Corporate/Commercial Ontario 2025
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The Legal 500 Canada Leading Individual, Corporate and M&A 2025
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Governance Practices, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities Law 2025
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Chambers Canada Recognized, Corporate/Commercial Ontario 2024
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The Legal 500 Canada Next Generation Partner, Corporate and M&A 2024
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Lexpert/American Lawyer Media Guide Most Frequently Recommended, Mergers & Acquisitions 2024
Credentials
Professional Involvement
Jon frequently authors and lectures on Canadian M&A market developments, the evolution of shareholder rights plans and the rise of shareholder activism in Canada.
Jon is an active member of the community. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Baycrest Foundation Board of Directors. He also sits on the board of directors of the York School and is a co-founder of the Barrie to Baycrest 100km annual bike ride. He has been instrumental in helping raise over $10 million for the Baycrest hospital in Toronto.
Jon has served as an Adjunct Professor and as President of the Alumni Association at the University of Toronto Law School, and was awarded the Arbor Award for outstanding voluntary service by the University of Toronto.
Credentials
- University of Toronto, LL.B., 1999
- McGill University, M.A., 1996
- L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, PIER, 1995
- McGill University, B.A., 1994
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- New York Bar Association
Call to Bar
- 2005 Ontario
- 2000 New York
Insights
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Capital Markets
Clarification on Rules Relating to the Removal of Directors by Shareholders
In OneMove Capital Corporation v. Dye & Durham Limited (“OneMove v. D&D”), the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “Court”) held that shareholders may not submit a proposal under section… -
Capital Markets
Delaware Court Finds Advance Notice Bylaw Amendments Unenforceable, But Denies Relief Based on Dissident Shareholders’ Deceptive Conduct
The Supreme Court of Delaware’s recent decision in Kellner v. AIM ImmunoTech Inc. provides important guidance on the limits of a board’s authority to amend an “advance notice” bylaw in the context of… -
Shareholder Activism
'The Shareholder Activism Phenomenon is Strong and Will Remain Strong for the Foreseeable Future', Lexpert
In a recent article for Lexpert.ca, author Jonathan Feldman discusses the state of shareholder activism in Canada and delves into what's top-of-mind for him as we head into the 2024 proxy… -
Capital Markets
CSA and CIRO Publish Summary of Comments and Responses to Short Selling Consultation
On November 16, 2023, the Canadian Securities Administrator (CSA) and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (now, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Association) (CIRO) published a… -
Capital Markets
Canadian Securities Administrators Proposes Amendments and Changes to Corporate Governance Disclosure Practices and Guidelines
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has published for comment proposed amendments and changes to: (i) Form 58-101F1 Corporate Governance Disclosure (Form 58-101F1) of National Instrument… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Sandpiper Calls the Tune – Ontario Court Examines Shareholder Meeting Timing Requirements
How much time can a board take to convene a requisitioned meeting of securityholders? The recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Sandpiper Real Estate Fund 4 Limited Partnership v…
News & Events
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Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Once Again Receives Top-Tier Recognition from The Legal 500 Canada
We are pleased to announce Goodmans LLP has once again received top-tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2025 Guide released today.Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on independent… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Chambers and Partners Once Again Honours Goodmans with Top-Tier Recognition
We are delighted to announce Goodmans LLP continues to receive top-tier recognition from Chambers and Partners in the Chambers Canada 2025 Guide.Recognition from Chambers and Partners is based on… -
Shareholder Activism
Jon Feldman featured in "Behind the Scenes: The ISS Dress Rehearsal", The Deal
Goodmans partner Jon Feldman shares his insights in the article published by The Deal, "Behind the Scenes: The ISS Dress Rehearsal". "Normally in Canada you have two or three people…