Arlene O’Neill

Arlene is a trusted business advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping clients navigate complex corporate and commercial matters. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and corporate finance, with particular expertise in technology-driven businesses, including software, media, and green technology.

Arlene regularly advises clients on cross-border transactions, investments, partnerships, and restructurings, guiding both international and Canadian companies through every stage of growth and change. She works closely with multidisciplinary teams around the world to ensure her clients’ business objectives are achieved efficiently and strategically.

Recognized as a specialist in corporate governance, Arlene has earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors after completing the Directors Education Program at the Rotman School of Management. She also brings hands-on governance experience as a member of the board of a TSX-listed company in the auto finance sector, where she contributes to strategic reviews and special committee work.

A frequent speaker and organizer for the Ontario Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association, Arlene is passionate about supporting innovative and technology-based businesses as they grow and evolve. From drafting letters of intent and negotiating mergers to conducting due diligence and closing transactions, Arlene combines technical skill with practical insight and draws on her background in tax and technology law to deliver well-rounded, strategic advice.

Expertise

Representative work

• Represents TSX listed technology company on corporate governance and M&A matters both within Canada and International.  
• External legal counsel to largest real estate board in Canada on Corporate Governance matters and Regulatory Compliance and commercial matters.  
• Represented multinational infrastructure company as lead of Canadian team on sale of various businesses and divisions over a series of transactions 2021 to present (transaction size – ranging from $27 million USD to $55 million USD). 
• Represented client on acquisition of recycling products business $20 million. 
• Represented the buyers in a merger and acquisition transaction involving the purchase of a large carpet and tile supply and installation partnership with combined annual revenue of approximately $100 million. 
• Represented one party in structuring a joint venture arrangement in the mobile payments platform area in connection with a response to an RFP. 
• Represented a rail services business in negotiating a complex infrastructure contract with Metrolinx.