Overview
Michael is a partner and co-head of the Tax Group at Goodmans.
His practice focuses on all aspects of income taxation that arise in corporate and commercial transactions, including public and private mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, financings, and corporate reorganizations. In addition to his transactional practice, he advises clients on structuring and implementing tax-efficient executive compensation plans.
Michael is recognized by the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada and The Legal 500 Canada for Tax Law.
Expertise
-
Cross-Border and International Tax
-
Executive Compensation
-
Tax
Featured Work
Michael’s select recent representative work includes acting for:
- Tricon Residential Inc. in its US$1.4 billion acquisition of Starlight U.S. Multi-Family No. 5 Core Fund and its US$3.5 billion acquisition by Blackstone
- 9 Story Media Group in its C$250 million acquisition by Scholastic Corp.
- Algoma Steel Group Inc. in its US$1.7 billion "go public" merger and its US$400 million substantial issuer bid
- Rogers Communications Inc. in its C$26 billion acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc.
- Onex Corporation in its C$5 billion acquisition of WestJet Airlines Ltd.
- Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. in its US$190 million acquisition of Variperm Energy Services
- Coinsquare Ltd. in its "go public" merger to create Canada's largest regulated crypto asset trading platform
- Pon Holdings in its US$810 million acquisition of Dorel Sports
- Andlauer Healthcare Group Inc. in its IPO and subsequent acquisitions and financings
- Dye & Durham Ltd. in its IPO and subsequent acquisitions and financings, including its C$500 million acquisition of TELUS' Financial Solutions Business
- Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited in its acquisition of The Coca-Cola Co.’s Canadian bottling business
- Invesque Inc. in its IPO and subsequent financings and acquisitions, including its US$425 million acquisition of Care Investment Trust, its US$128 million acquisition of Mohawk Medial Properties REIT and its joint venture with Autumnwood Lifestyles
- Student Transportation Inc. in its US$1.1 billion acquisition by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Ullico Inc.
- The Miller McAsphalt Group in its C$913 million acquisition by Colas Canada Inc.
- Milestone Apartments REIT in its US$2.9 billion acquisition by Starwood Capital Group
Awards & Recognition
-
The Legal 500 Canada Recommended, Tax 2025
-
Best Lawyers in Canada Ones to Watch, Tax Law 2024
-
Best Lawyers in Canada Ones to Watch, Tax Law 2023
-
Best Lawyers in Canada Ones to Watch, Tax Law 2022
Credentials
Credentials
- Western University, J.D., 2012
- Laurentian University, B.B.A, 2008
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Tax Foundation
- International Fiscal Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
Call to Bar
- 2013 Ontario
Insights
-
Acquisition Finance
In-Depth: Acquisition and Leveraged Finance - Edition 10 - Canada
David Nadler, David Wiseman, Dan Dedic, Caroline Descours, Michael Royal, Cathy Costa-Faria and Zhiyao Chen have co-authored the Canada Chapter in Lexology's In-Depth: Acquisition and Leveraged… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Lending and Secured Finance Review 8th Edition - Canada Chapter
Jean Anderson, David Wiseman, David Nadler, Caroline Descours, Michael Royal, Kyle Gerow and Cathy Costa-Faria co-authored the Canada Chapter of The Law Reviews' Lending and Secured Finance Review 8th… -
Environmental
Canadian Government to Broaden Canadian Exploration Expense and Extend Mineral Exploration Tax Credit
On March 1, 2015, the Canadian Government announced that it would broaden the definition of Canadian exploration expenses and extend the availability of the mineral exploration tax credit. These…
News & Events
-
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… -
Private Equity and Venture Capital
100+ Goodmans lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada: 2024 Edition
Goodmans is delighted to announce we have been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada with 101 lawyers ranked across 41 practice areas.Congratulations to Harry Radomski… -
Private Equity and Venture Capital
100+ Goodmans lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada: 2023 Edition
Goodmans is delighted to announce we have been recognized by the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada with 101 lawyers ranked across 41 practice areas.Congratulations to Dale H. Lastman, C…