Christian Nianiaris
Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 2021
-
Toronto
- Bio
- Representative Matters
- Selected Publications
- Insights
- Education
Christian is a member of the firm’s Capital Markets and Corporate/Commercial Groups, where he advises clients on a broad range of corporate and securities matters, including private, public and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, general corporate governance, and private and public financings. He is committed to delivering practical, business-focused legal solutions and ensuring a smooth transaction process for all stakeholders. Christian's work with both private and public companies spans a variety of industry sectors.
Beyond his practice, Christian enjoys teaching and mentoring, both within the firm and externally. He is passionate about supporting the professional development of his colleagues, fostering a collaborative and knowledgeable team to better serve client needs.
Christian joined Aird & Berlis as an associate after summering and articling with the firm. In 2024, he completed a six-month secondment with Banyan Software, where he gained valuable in-house experience and insight into the legal and strategic considerations involved in acquiring software companies.
Representative Matters
Represented Powerfleet, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIOT), a global AIoT SaaS provider, in its acquisition and related financing of Fleet Complete, a leader in connected vehicle technology and fleet management.
Represented Independent Trading Group (ITG) Inc., as lead agent and sole bookrunner, in Willow Biosciences Inc.’s brokered private placement of units.
Represented a U.S.-based, U.S. private equity-backed retail technology company committed to changing the way in which the world collects business information and insights as Canadian counsel in its acquisition of a Canadian-based AI-driven retail software company.
Represented a U.S. private equity firm as Canadian counsel in its acquisition of an industry leader in concrete polishing and preparation equipment and diamond tooling.
Advised The Stevens Company Limited on its majority investment in Schaan Healthcare Products Inc.
Acted as Canadian counsel to Kuehne+Nagel with respect to its acquisition of Farrow, a Canadian customs brokerage, transportation and logistics business.
Represented Linamar Corporation in its acquisition of Bourgault Industries Ltd., a leading agricultural equipment manufacturer, for $640 million. In conjunction with the Bourgault transaction closing, Linamar also finalized a new $700-million term loan agreement.
Represented Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) in connection with its acquisition of a substantial portion of Mobex Fourth and 1, LLC’s U.S.-based assets.
Represented a U.S. private equity firm that invests in technology, business services and industrial companies as Canadian counsel in its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of a Canadian-based cybersecurity firm and amendments to the fund’s term and asset-based credit arrangements.
Represented a leading global transportation industry manufacturer and supplier as Canadian counsel in its purchase of certain assets of a cross-border privately-owned commercial vehicle, bus and trailer manufacturing business.
Acted as legal counsel to Thesis Gold (TSXV: TAU), a mineral exploration company in northern British Columbia, in its merger with Benchmark Metals Inc.
Represented Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. as Canadian counsel in connection with its majority ownership acquisition of FloWorks International, LLC.
Advised Origin, an outdoor-focused, digitally driven creative, content and branding agency, in connection with its acquisition by MMGY Global, a leading travel and hospitality marketing firm.
Represented Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) in connection with its acquisition of the Salford group of companies for an aggregate purchase price of $260 million.
Advised the City of Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries on the merger of Brantford Energy Corporation and Cambridge and North Dumfries Energy+ Inc. to form GrandBridge Corporation.
Represented Nextleaf Solutions Ltd., a federally regulated producer of cannabis oil that distributes cannabis vapes and oils under its prohibition-era brand, Glacial GoldTM, in the completion of a marketed public offering of units.
Selected Publications
Co-Author, "Know the Limit, Play Within It: Restrictive Covenants in Canada," Aird & Berlis LLP Capital Markets Bulletin, April 22, 2024.
Co-Author, "Anti-Assignment Provisions and Assignments by ‘Operation of Law’: What Do I Have to Do? What Should I Do?" Aird & Berlis LLP Capital Markets Bulletin, March 19, 2024.
Co-Author, "Artificial Intelligence in Canadian Capital Markets: Examining the Ontario Securities Commission Report," Aird & Berlis LLP, November 23, 2023.
Co-Author, "What’s Market in Canadian Public Target M&A: Key Trends and Insights From the ABA Deal Points Study," Aird & Berlis LLP, October 12, 2023.
Co-Author, "Addressing Risk Allocation in M&A Transactions Through the Use of Transactional Insurance: A Primer on Representation and Warranty Insurance in the Canadian M&A Market," Aird & Berlis LLP, June 28, 2022.
Co-Author, "Canadian Securities Administrators Propose Climate-Related and ESG Disclosure Requirements," Aird & Berlis LLP, March 1, 2022.
Co-Author, "Are You Prepared for the Changes Coming to Ontario’s Corporate Law Requirements?" Aird & Berlis LLP, March 4, 2021.
Co-Author, "The Hydrogen Strategy for Canada," Energy Insider, January 4, 2021.
Co-Author, "Ontario’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy," Energy Insider, November 24, 2020.
Co-Author, "Ontario Minister of Energy Directs IESO to Deliver a New Conservation and Demand Management Framework," Energy Insider, October 9, 2020.
Author, "Climate Change Litigation: Actions Against Corporations," Energy Insider, August 27, 2019.
Author, "Climate Change Litigation: Urgenda Update," Energy Insider, July 5, 2019.
Co-Author, "The Power Forward Challenge – Natural Resources Canada and the UK Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy Reward Innovation," Energy Insider, June 11, 2019.
Author, "Update on Climate Change Litigation," Energy Insider, June 7, 2019.
Co-Author, "Warrantless Inspections Under the EPA and Potential Implications For Energy Companies," Energy Insider, May 30, 2019.
Insights
Education
- JD, University of Windsor, 2020
- JD, University of Detroit Mercy, 2020
- BA, McGill University, 2014