Don is a seasoned M&A lawyer, having worked on transactions totaling around $1 billion of value to date. Don has successfully represented a very large number of business owners over a broad range of industries giving him an incredible depth of experience in M&A transactions. This depth of experience allows Don to provide sophisticated legal advice, anticipating and avoiding challenges and protecting clients from the pitfalls inherent in complex and sophisticated business sale and purchase transactions. But Don’s work does not stop there. In addition to M&A transactions, Don assists our clients with shareholder disputes, corporate reorganizations and general corporate matters.

Our clients regard Don highly for his expertise, responsiveness, and ability to explain complex legal issues in a clear and comprehensive manner, enabling them to make the best decisions possible based on grounded and timely advice. Don establishes key business strategies in advance of negotiations and advocates for those positions powerfully to accomplish our clients’ goals.

While Don routinely acts in the purchase and sale of some of the largest companies in British Columbia, his experience and expertise is accessible, whether a business is worth $100M or under $2M. Don’s role depends on the nature of the transaction and the budget. For larger and more complex matters, Don’s role will be very hands-on. For other transactions, Don will provide comprehensive conceptual oversight and lead the negotiating strategy, but day-to-day management and document drafting can be handled by lawyers at the appropriate level of experience under Don’s supervision, ensuring a cost-effective result. By choosing Don for the M&A transaction, our clients will receive high-quality legal services regardless of transaction size.

Don’s education (having a double degree, one in business and one in law) allows him to apply his knowledge of business and law for the benefit of our clients. Furthermore, having been involved in a successful business himself, Don understands the business owner’s mindset and fully appreciates the demands of managing and growing a company. From business start-up to business succession, Don employs legal strategies that help our clients succeed in business, while minimizing business risk.

Work Highlights

Roofing and Insulation Industry

  • Acted for the owners in the sale of the business

Heavy Duty Truck Dealership

  • Acted for the owner in the sale of the business to a competitor

Online Employment Service Provider

  • Acted for the company in the sale of the business to a US buyer
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Services
Mergers and acquisitions and business succession planning Incorporation of new businesses
General corporate and commercial law Restructuring
Private company transactions Private equity
Shareholder rights

Don is also a contributor to the corporate community as a:

  • Leader on the editorial board of the Due Diligence Deskbook, an authoritative guide for lawyers who practice in the M&A field
  • Frequent lecturer on business succession planning and M&A. He has established a renowned seminar series on these topics

Don is the editor for our Business Succession Update. Articles for this newsletter cover topics related to business succession. This newsletter is valuable to anyone looking to buy and/or sell a company. The articles in this complementary newsletter are available for viewing through subscription only. Subscribe here.

Awards & Distinctions
  • Appointed King's Counsel, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Corporate Law, 2022-2024
*Don C. Sihota Law Corporation
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Roofing and Insulation Industry
  • Acted for the owners in the sale of the business
Heavy Duty Truck Dealership
  • Acted for the owner in the sale of the business to a competitor
Online Employment Service Provider
  • Acted for the company in the sale of the business to a US buyer
Construction Company
  • Acted for the company in the purchase of an industry competitor
Retail Chain
  • Acted for the shareholders in the sale of multiple retail operations
Manufacturer of Marine Vessels
  • Acted for the shareholders in the sale of the business to an industry competitor
Medical Equipment Provider
  • Acted for the shareholders in the sale of the business
Mechanical Contracting Business
  • Acted for the family business owners in the sale of the company
Electrical Contractor
  • Acted for the shareholder group in the sale of the business
Food Distribution Business
  • Acted for the owner in the sale of a US subsidiary
Signage and Wayfinding Company
  • Acted for the purchaser of the business
Equity investment in biotechnology firm
“Transitioning a business from one generation of business owners to the next generation can take months, even years, of planning and the seeking of advice. That is exactly what the partners of our company were looking for when we chose Don to help us in the sale of our business to our management team. Don's extensive experience and his practical advice have been invaluable in ensuring a successful outcome for us. He thoughtfully considered our objectives and clearly explained the complexities of issues we faced, as we negotiated our way through unfamiliar territory. As a result our transition of ownership was smooth and rewarding for both sides of the transaction."

D. Hay & D. Rogers, Canusa Wood Products Limited

“Don acted for me when I sold my business and I was very impressed with his legal knowledge and capability in managing the sale. He negotiated a great deal for me and remained focused and organized throughout. Don provided considered and timely advice and he was always very responsive to my needs. In addition, Don assembled a team that assisted in every aspect of my transaction including human resources and employment issues, Federal and Provincial legislation and financing. Don had all the bases covered which made the sale proceed smoothly and seamlessly. I would highly recommend Don to any business owner considering selling."

Don Cormack, Ethan Holdings Ltd., Vancouver

"I consider myself fortunate to have had Don Sihota represent me in deals for the sale of two of my businesses. In the second deal, the purchaser was a private equity group and we were facing an experienced and tough negotiating team. Don’s expertise was a great help to me. Especially during the back and forth of negotiations, when he was always there to explain how the purchaser’s position would impact me so that I was able to make the right decision on each point. Don’s negotiating skills and strategic thinking ensured that the final deal exceeded my expectations. I do not have any reservations in giving him and his team at Clark Wilson LLP my strongest recommendation to anyone buying or selling a business."

Bob McDonald, Founder, Emperor Specialty Foods Ltd.

“I worked with Don when I sold my business to an employee and I highly recommend his services. Don is an organized, efficient and highly skilled lawyer. One of his great assets is his ability to see a deal through to closing. We faced some unusual challenges that could easily have de-railed the sale but Don got us to the finish line. Working with Don is a very positive experience and I was certainly delighted with the outcome."

Reid Pauley

“I want to take a moment to thank you and your firm for a job well done. From the onset, it was clear that your knowledge and experience in the areas of both succession planning and business mergers and acquisitions is vast. Your methodical approach allowed me to put my complete trust in you and your team as we entered into a very challenging negotiation process. The level of commitment that you demonstrated was immeasurable, and from both a business and personal perspective, it was key to our successful outcome...I couldn’t be more pleased with the end result."

Bob Fast, Squamish, BC

“As a CPA advising privately owned companies I have had the privilege of working with Don Sihota on a variety of purchase and sale transactions. Don combines a thorough understanding of legal issues with a common-sense, practical understanding of business issues. Don’s skill and professionalism facilitates the completion of purchase and sale transactions. I have recommended Don to many of our clients, all of whom have been very satisfied."

Ron Walsh, FCPA, FCA, Walsh King LLP

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Awards & Distinctions
  • Appointed King's Counsel, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Corporate Law, 2022-2024
Industry Involvement
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • ACG British Columbia - Association for Corporate Growth
  • M&A Club
  • The Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Due Diligence Deskbook, Editorial Board
  • The Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Advising BC Businesses, Contributing Author
Education & Call to Bar
  • Call to Bar: British Columbia, 1986
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of British Columbia, 1985
  • Bachelor of Commerce, University of British Columbia, 1984
External Publications & Presentations

Presentations