Strategic frameworks,
built to scale.
From incorporation to complex governance. We act as outside corporate counsel for founders, family enterprises, and growth-stage operators across Ontario.
The practice, in brief.
VanWest Law advises Ontario businesses on the matters that determine how a corporation is formed, governed, and grown. Engagements range from incorporation and shareholder documentation to ongoing corporate counsel, commercial contracts, and reorganizations.
Each file is handled directly by the principal. Documentation is prepared with the discipline required to support diligence, financing, and audit at later stages. Where a matter has tax or accounting implications, those are coordinated alongside the legal work rather than left to be reconciled after the fact.
The work, in detail.
Incorporation & organization
Federal and Ontario incorporations, articles, by-laws, organizing minute books, share issuances, and director and officer appointments — prepared to the standard required for downstream financing, investment, or sale.
Shareholder & partnership agreements
Drag-along, tag-along, vesting, deadlock, and exit provisions — drafted in clear language so that the parties understand the obligations they have agreed to.
Commercial contracts
Master services agreements, vendor and supplier contracts, NDAs, intellectual property assignments, and distribution agreements. Turnaround is prompt, with a written summary identifying the provisions that warrant negotiation.
Governance & ongoing counsel
Director and officer advice, annual corporate maintenance, board resolutions, shareholder meetings, and minute-book upkeep. Maintained current so that diligence and audit do not become an exercise in reconstruction.
Reorganizations & restructurings
Share exchanges, amalgamations, holdco/opco structures, asset rolls, and continuances — coordinated with the client's accountant so that the tax outcome aligns with the legal one.
Commercial dispute support
Pre-litigation strategy and resolution for contract breach, supplier failures, and partnership disputes. The firm seeks resolution where reasonable and prepares the file properly when litigation becomes necessary.
The right fit.
The firm accepts engagements where it can deliver the highest standard of work. Matters outside this scope are referred or supported through trusted external counsel.
- Founders incorporating a first Ontario business and wanting the cap table right from day one.
- Family enterprises planning succession, governance, or a generational handover.
- Growth-stage operators preparing for an investment round, a credit facility, or a strategic sale.
- Established businesses that need outside corporate counsel without the cost of a Bay Street retainer.
- Vendors, distributors, and service providers needing well-drafted master agreements that hold up under diligence.
From first call to final invoice.
Intake & conflict check
Secure digital intake. We confirm there's no conflict, scope the matter, and quote a fixed fee or transparent hourly estimate before we start.
Structure & strategy
We map the legal structure and the commercial outcome you want. For tax-driven matters, our accounting partner is looped in at this stage.
Drafting & negotiation
Documents in clean drafts you can read, comments you can act on. Counter-party negotiations handled directly or alongside your team.
Close & maintain
Execution, filings, and minute-book updates. We stay engaged for the routine corporate maintenance so nothing slips through the cracks.
What pairs well with this work.
Matters rarely sit in a single category. Files that cross practice areas are either handled directly by the firm or coordinated with trusted external counsel so nothing is missed.
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