DLA Piper has bolstered its private funds capabilities with the addition of new partner James O’Shea.
O’Shea commences with the firm’s investment funds practice in Toronto. He brings experience with matters involving private fund formation, fund investments, fund structuring, and ongoing management throughout the fund lifecycle.
He has tackled co-investments, carried interest arrangements, continuation vehicles, and other GP-led transactions. His clients have included global asset managers, institutional investors, emerging sponsors, and family offices.
“Canada remains a key market for private capital activity, and we continue to see growing demand from sponsors and investors for sophisticated, cross-border advice. James's experience and international perspective align closely with how our clients operate and where the market is headed,” said Russel Drew, DLA Piper’s Canada CEO, in a statement.
David Parrish, DLA Piper's global head of private capital, added that O'Shea joins the firm at a time when "private markets participants increasingly need seamless advice across jurisdictions, asset classes, and investment structures."
O’Shea represented a Canadian venture sponsor in the formation of a complex, multi-fund continuation vehicle. He also assisted an independent, Indigenous-owned sponsor as it formed its first-ever private credit fund centered on accelerating the building of Indigenous housing across Canada.
He helped a Canadian credit sponsor with the formation of its third flagship credit fund. Moreover, he guided a Canadian private equity sponsor as it formed its US$1 billion digital infrastructure fund.
O’Shea acted for a Calgary-based preferred equity sponsor on its strategic recapitalization of a cross-border fitness franchise business. He represented a cross-border mine finance sponsor in its US$300 million annex fund.
He helped a Canadian healthcare-focused private equity sponsor with its US$300 million continuation vehicle. He also assisted a Canadian insurance company with numerous fund investments and co-investments.
O’Shea guided a Canadian university endowment with fund investments. Moreover, he helped a Canadian climate-tech focused sponsor to form its US$350 million third flagship fund as well as a Canadian tech-focused venture sponsor with its fifth flagship fund.
Prior to joining DLA Piper, O’Shea was a partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. He also logged associate stints with Fried Frank, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Covington & Burling in London, according to LinkedIn.
In addition to being admitted to the Ontario bar in 2023, the Lexpert-ranked lawyer is admitted to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales.