Sherri M.
Altshuler
Partner
Sherri earns the trust of her clients by adeptly managing complex and time-sensitive corporate finance transactions and by providing relevant, business-focused solutions to corporate/commercial and capital markets issues. Her depth of perspective and understanding of corporate and securities law matters comes from her ongoing representation of clients ranging from small and medium enterprises to established multi-billion dollar corporations. Sherri effectively prioritizes issues on complex and time-sensitive transactions, and works diligently to ensure that outcomes align with her clients’ overall business goals.
Sherri is Co-Leader of the Cannabis, Capital Markets and Life Sciences Groups and a member of the Corporate and Mining Groups. Her practice is focused on mergers, acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, public and private financings and ongoing corporate and commercial matters. She has developed specialized expertise in capital markets transactions in the REIT, cannabis, technology, psychedelics and mining sectors, including with respect to board governance, securities and financing matters.
Sherri regularly advises corporations on public offerings, private placement financings, flow-through financings, reverse takeovers, stock exchange listings, continuous disclosure, corporate governance and the formation and completion of qualifying transactions for companies established under the TSX Venture Exchange Capital Pool Company Program.
Sherri is a member of the TSX Venture Exchange Ontario Advisory Committee and a former member of the Ontario Securities Commission Small and Medium Enterprises Committee. Sherri previously completed a six-month term of secondment with the Corporate Finance Branch of the Ontario Securities Commission where she was responsible for reviewing and clearing prospectuses and considering applications for relief from the requirements of the Securities Act (Ontario). Sherri also instructs Corporate Finance at Windsor Law School and is a frequent public speaker. Additionally, Sherri is called upon by the media to comment on the legal, regulatory and investment issues surrounding psychedelics in Canada.
Sherri is recognized by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading lawyer in the areas of Corporate Finance & Securities and Corporate Mid-Market, after previously being named one of Lexpert magazine’s Rising Stars: Canada’s Leading Lawyers under 40. Sherri is also recognized as a leading lawyer in Cannabis Law, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Securities Law by The Best Lawyers in Canada and Cannabis Law by Chambers Canada.
Professional Involvement
Professional Activities
- President's Counsel, The Duke of Edinburgh's Emerging Leaders' Dialogues Canada
- Member, Osgoode Certificate in Cannabis Law and Regulation Advisory Board
- Member, TSX Venture Exchange Ontario Advisory Committee
- Member, the Ontario Securities Commission's Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- International Cannabis Bar Association
- Women in Capital Markets
- Women Lawyers of Interlaw
Community Involvement
- The Arthritis Society (Ontario), Board of Directors
- Planning Committee, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, Freedom Day event
- Event host/coordinator, Holocaust Education Week, education program
Teaching Engagements
- Special Lecturer, "Corporate Finance," University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Panellist, "Anticipating and Navigating Legal Risks in International Transactions," Cannabis Law Institute 2024, July 25-26, 2024.
Panellist, "Women Professionals & Lawyers Discuss the "Second Shift" as Family Caregivers," Aird & Berlis Women’s Initiative, November 30, 2023.
Panellist, "Canada: What Federal Legalization Looks Like 4 Years Later and What Have We Learned," Cannabis Law Institute 2023, June 10, 2023.
Speaker, "Medical Marijuana and Other Issues Relating to Cannabis," Interlaw 2023 EMEA Regional Meeting, June 8, 2023.
Speaker, "Psychedelics: A Complex and Changing Regulatory Landscape Focused on Scientific Research and IP Protection," Aird & Berlis LLP Psychedelics Webinar, January 18, 2023.
Panellist, "Raising Money: Inside and Outside the Box," The Cannabis Law Sessions, MJBizCon Las Vegas, November 15, 2022.
Panellist, Third Annual Psychedelics/Biotech Risk Management Panel by Purves Redmond Limited, June 6, 2022.
Speaker, "Update on Psychedelics: Science and Capital Markets," Aird & Berlis LLP Psychedelics Webinar, November 23, 2021.
Speaker, "Cannabis Sector Update: M&A, Financing, Legal Matters & More," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, October 28, 2021.
Speaker, "Business Law - Finance 201: Business Fundamentals - Finance and M&A," International Cannabis Bar Association webinar, October 15, 2021.
Co-moderator on "The Science of Psychedelics: How Law & Science Support the Sector," Aird & Berlis LLP Virtual Industry Update Webinar, September 22, 2020.
Speaker, "Unpacking Cross-Border Cannabis Sector Class Action Risks," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, June 16, 2020.
Speaker, "The Rise of the Psychedelics Sector," Aird & Berlis LLP Virtual Industry Update Webinar, June 10, 2020.
Speaker, "The Cannabis Sector’s Public Policy Response to COVID-19: Canada, U.S. and International Impact," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, May 21, 2020.
Speaker, Mayer Brown's "All Things Canada Webinar", February 27, 2020.
Moderator, "Raising Capital: What Investors Are Looking For," Lift & Co. Cannabis Business Conference, January 8, 2020.
Speaker, “Current Challenges and Opportunities for M&A Activity in the Cannabis Industry,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, December 5, 2019.
Speaker, "International Cannabis Bar Association Webinar," November 21, 2019.
Speaker, "Capital Markets and Public Offerings," International Cannabis Bar Association, The Cannabis Law Institute, October 4, 2019.
Speaker, "Cross-Border Finance: Moving Money," International Cannabis Bar Association, The Cannabis Law Institute, October 3, 2019.
Speaker, "Important Issues the Cannabis Sector Needs to be Aware of in Canada and Around the World," Northwind’s Inaugural Cannabis Invitational Forum, September 25-27, 2019.
Moderator, "Cannabis Industry Update," Global Growth in the Cannabis Market Assembly & Mixer, September 5, 2019.
Speaker, "Going Public in Canada," Canadian Capital Markets Team Talk, July 16, 2019.
Speaker, "Can We Expect More Investments in the Cannabis Market?," World Cannabis Congress, June 18, 2019.
Speaker, "Access to Capital Markets in the United States and Canada," The Cannabis Law Sessions, MJBizConNEXT New Orleans, June 11, 2019.
Speaker, Closing Remarks, Lift Cannabis Business Conference," June 6, 2019.
Moderator, "How to Thrive in the Canadian Cannabis Retail Market," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, April 18, 2019.
Presenter, Luncheon Address, Laurentian Bank Securities Annual Institutional Investor Conference, April 4, 2019.
Speaker, “Going Public in Canada,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, February 6, 2019.
Moderator, “Business Growth Strategies: Collaborations, Partnerships, M&A’s,” LIFT Vancouver, January 11, 2019.
Speaker, "The Canadian Real Estate Industry: Soaring to New Heights," Aird & Berlis LLP Real Estate Webinar, October 31, 2018.
Co-presenter on “Oh Canada, Oh Cannabis, A Primer on Going Public in Canada” and “Financing & Investment” at the National Cannabis Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Institute conference, September 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Speaker, “Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions for Cannabis Businesses,” O’Cannabiz Business Conference and Expo, June 8, 2018.
Speaker, “Cannablitz: The Lightning Round” and “Passport to International Considerations,” MJBizConNEXT conference, National Cannabis Bar Association, May 9, 2018.
Speaker, “Myth-Busting the Cannabis Sector on International Cannabis Day,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, April 20, 2018.
Speaker, “Mergers and Acquisitions in the Canadian Cannabis Sector,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, March 21, 2018.
Speaker, "Investing in Cannabis 101: Seed Money and More," Lift Cannabis Business Conference, January 12, 2018.
Speaker, “Branding in the Cannabis Sector: Regulations, Restrictions and Tips on How to Market Your Brand,” Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, December 5, 2017.
Speaker, "Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions for Cannabis Businesses," Grow Up Cannabis Conference & Expo, October 6, 2017.
Speaker, "Introduction to Canadian Cannabis Law," Cannabis Law Institute presented by the National Cannabis Bar Association and co-sponsored by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado, July 29, 2017.
Moderator and speaker, "Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions," Cannabis Law Institute presented by the National Cannabis Bar Association and co-sponsored by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado, July 29, 2017.
Speaker, “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 6, 2017.
Speaker, Young Women in the Law Speed Mentoring Event, June 27, 2017.
Speaker, "Key Factors for a Successful IPO - What CEOs Need to Know Before Going Public," RBC Dominion Securities - The Network Exchange, June 27, 2017.
Speaker, "Law of the Land,” 2nd Annual Young Presidents’ Organization Cannabis Summit 420, April 2017.
Speaker, "Pay Equity and Women's Economic Empowerment," Aird & Berlis LLP Women in Business Webinar, November 2016.
Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 21, 2016.
Speaker, “Retaining Female Leaders,” Women in Leadership Conference, April 14, 2016.
Speaker, “Advanced Topics in the Law of Commercial Finance 2016,” The Commons Institute, February 26, 2016.
Course Leader and Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 7th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, February 17-18, 2016.
Speaker, “Networking & Developing Strategic Relationships,” 3rd Women & Leadership in the Legal Profession Conference, November 25, 2015.
Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 30, 2015.
Speaker, “Compliance with Regulatory Disclosure: Recent Developments,” 240 Minutes on Mining Law Conference, February 20, 2015.
Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 6th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 9, 2014.
Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings” 6th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 17 & 18, 2014.
Speaker, “Networking & Developing Strategic Relationships,” 2nd Women & Leadership in the Legal Profession Conference, November 26, 2014.
Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 17, 2014.
Speaker, “Building Successful Teams,” Leadership for Women Lawyers Conference: Making an Impact, April 24, 2014.
Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 5th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 10 & 11, 2013.
Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 10, 2013.
Speaker, “Preparing Key Documents in Private Placements and Public Offerings,” 4th Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 5 & 6, 2012.
Speaker, “Nuts and Bolts of Closing Transactions,” August 21, 2012.
Speaker “Introduction to Securities Law,” In-house Student Seminars, July 11, 2012.
Speaker, “Managing the Due Diligence Process,” 3rd Mastering Transactions for Law Clerks and Legal Professionals, Federated Press, December 1 & 2, 2011.
Co-chair and Speaker, “Managing the Due Diligence Process,” 2nd Corporate Transactions for Law Clerks, Federated Press, December 20 and 21, 2010.
Co-chair and Speaker, “Managing the Due Diligence Process,” Corporate Transactions for Law Clerks, Federated Press, December 14 and 15, 2009.
"Second Trump Administration May Spur More Deal-Making in Canada, Experts Say" in Globe and Mail (November 2024).
"TSXV Sandbox and OSC TestLab: Promising Developments for Early-Stage Businesses," in Aird & Berlis LLP's Capital Markets Bulletin (June 2024).
"The New Due Diligence: Why M&A Scrutiny Is Digging Deeper (and Taking Longer) Than Ever Before" in The Globe and Mail (May 2024).
"Psychedelics: Will Policy Liberalization and Lower Barriers to Access Lead to Future Legalization?” in Lexpert (October 2022).
"Why Psychedelics Are Not the Next Cannabis" in Canadian Lawyer (December 2021).
“Canada's Psychedelic Future: A Guide to the Evolving Legal and Regulatory Landscape and What's Next” in Lexpert (May 2021).
"Deal Frenzy Has Bay Street Staffing Up, and Some Burning Out" in The Globe and Mail (April 2021).
"Legal and Regulatory Landscape for Psychedelics Companies Considering Going Public in Canada" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Capital Markets Newsletter (July 2020).
"CSA Highlights Need for Financial Interest Disclosure in Cannabis-Related M&A Transactions and Expresses Corporate Governance Concerns of Cannabis Issuers" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (November 2019).
"Canadian Securities Exchange and OTC Markets Group Announce Strategic Alliance to Attract Foreign Issuers to North America" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (October 2017).
"Supply Crunch in Canadian Marijuana Market" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Cannabis Newsletter (July 2017).
"OSC Provides Guidance to Improve Forward-Looking Information Disclosure" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (August 2013).
"Toronto Stock Exchange Issues Guidance on Director Election and Disclosure Requirements" in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (July 2013).
“TSX Venture Exchange Implements Amendments to Incentive Stock Option Policy” in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (May 2013).
“CSA Requests Further Comment Regarding Proposed National Instrument 51-103 For Venture Issuers” in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (October 2012).
“Private Placements - TSXV Temporary Relief Measures” in Aird & Berlis LLP's Securities Law Bulletin (September 2012).