Overview
Sheldon Freeman is a partner in a business law group at Goodmans. He has developed a leading practice in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and securities law. He is recognized for his successes in completing sophisticated transactions with efficiency and precision, and has a reputation for resolving complex issues in a practical manner. Sheldon is also known for his regular involvement in high-profile transactions and expertise in corporate governance.
Sheldon’s strong corporate and securities law practice and significant expertise in completing a wide range of multi-faceted transactions have provided him with numerous opportunities to act on behalf of underwriters and issuers in IPOs and subsequent offerings.
Sheldon has built a substantial general corporate practice, advising various clients on issues ranging from formation to shareholder disputes and liquidity events. He is placed in the top tier of his peers in terms of his exposure to complex, high-profile proxy contests, public take-over bids and other merger and acquisition transactions, many of which were highly contested.
Sheldon is recognized as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers in Canada in the areas of corporate, leveraged buyouts and private equity, mergers and acquisitions and securities law, and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in the areas of corporate finance & securities, private equity, and M&A. He is also featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A.
Awards & Recognition
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities Law 2025
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Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A Canada's Leading Finance and M&A Lawyers 2024
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Recognized, Corporate Finance & Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity 2024
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities Law 2024
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Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A Canada's Leading Finance and M&A Lawyers 2023
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Recognized, Corporate Finance & Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions 2023
Credentials
Professional Involvement
Sheldon is a former member of the Securities Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). SAC advises the OSC on legislative and policy initiatives and capital markets trends.
Credentials
- Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B., 1995
- Wilfrid Laurier University, B.A., 1987, Political Science, Diploma in Business Administration
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
Call to Bar
- 1997 Ontario
Insights
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Capital Markets
The Legal Status of Board Observers in Canada
As part of an equity investment or financing transaction, investors often seek the right to appoint a board observer in addition to or in place of receiving an actual seat on a company’s board. These… -
Technology
Financial Support for Technology Companies in Canada: A Guide
In 2017, the Government of Canada launched a multi-year Innovation and Skills Plan aimed at substantially redesigning the innovation policy landscape in Canada. The Plan features an updated… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Delaware Court Allows Buyer to Walk due to Material Adverse Change
In a recent high-profile decision, Akorn, Inc. v. Fresenius Kabi AG, et al. C.A. No. 2018-0300-JTL (Del. Ch. Oct. 1, 2018), the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that German healthcare company… -
Capital Markets
“Facilitation Payments” Exception Repealed under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act
On October 31, 2017, certain changes were made to the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) – Canada’s international anti-bribery and corruption legislation – to make the payment of… -
Technology
Goodmans Technology Startup Guide
The Goodmans Technology Startup Guide provides an overview of the following primary legal issues that founders of technology startups should consider:Choosing the right business structureProtecting… -
Capital Markets
Canadian Foreign Anti-Bribery Law
Canada, like other jurisdictions, has had in place for several years anti-bribery and corruption legislation – the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (the “CFPOA”) – that prohibits payments…
News & Events
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100+ Goodmans lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada: 2025 Edition
We are delighted to share Goodmans has once again been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada with 105 lawyers featured across 43 practice areas.Congratulations to Andrew Brodkin… -
Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Lawyers Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2024
We are delighted to announce the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2024 once again features Goodmans lawyers among Canada's experts.Congratulations to our 33 featured lawyers:Alan… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 Continues to Recognize Goodmans
We are proud to announce Goodmans LLP has once again been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.91 Goodmans lawyers have been recognized as top-tier in their…