Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2026
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Corporate
Mid-Market, 2021–26
Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 in Canada, 2019
Accolades
Fortune favours the bold
Russel Drew knows a thing or two about commanding a room. With a resume that covers two decades of closing some of Canada’s most significant deals, he’s adept at reading diverse stakeholders and aligning people around a common objective. That skillset laid a natural foundation for Drew’s recent appointment as Canada chief executive officer at DLA Piper, a role that fits him like a glove.
“What it takes to be an excellent deal lawyer is highly relevant in leadership,” says Drew. “I’m constantly looking at the bigger picture and working towards the long-term success of the entire platform: our people, our clients, our culture, and our strategy for growth.”
A market in motion: Canada’s moment Taking the reins at a pivotal moment, Drew sees Canada as an increasingly attractive market for investment. Geopolitical events have only further enhanced the allure for deals coming in and out of the country. DLA Piper continues to see strong activity across infrastructure, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, defence and national security, as well as private capital investment.
Almost every opportunity has a strong international dimension, which makes cross-border capabilities critical. Canadian businesses continue to be global in their outlook, Drew notes, and Canadian capital is a significant driver of global private capital.
“While institutional investors continue to view Canada as a stable and attractive market with significant opportunities, a skilled labour force, and access to the US market, we’re going to continue to see enhanced opportunities for the leading global law firms,” he says. “That calls for the highest value tactical advice – the kind that sophisticated users of legal services should really be demanding.”
Drew sets a high bar, but it’s one he’s confident DLA Piper easily clears. The
Playing the long game The firm’s reputation isn’t maintained by viewing excellence as a single destination. It takes the continued drive and ambition of the team to keep meeting that standard, as well as to keep pace with the latest technology that makes it possible.
AI is already in use, and there’s no question it provides an enhancement of legal services through accelerated efficiency. Drew is looking ahead to the consequential shift: the ability to devote more time to the big-ticket items, such as higher-value strategic advice. Clients want trusted advice; they
expect discerning judgment. They’re after creative problem solving. And that’s what AI should enable.
“Clients are looking for commercial insight, not just a recitation of legislation,” Drew says. “We’re the only firm operating in Canada that has the scale and the dataset to provide clients with market-leading benefits through AI tools and infrastructure, and we continue to work with our clients on all aspects of their own AI programs as well.”
There’s a certain calibre of lawyer required to carry out the work to meet the standard of excellence at DLA Piper. Attracting that level of talent – and keeping them at the firm – is a top priority for Drew. He argues the profession wrongly assumes career ambition and personal well-being are competing objectives; in his experience, the best people are looking for both. In fact, the best and brightest moving up through the ranks want it all.
“The next generation of lawyers want outstanding work, meaningful growth opportunities, and the ability to build sustainable careers – those expectations are reasonable,” Drew says. “Creating an environment where talented lawyers can develop, contribute, and thrive is absolutely critical to our long-term success.”
Positioned as the only elite global law firm with a real presence in Canada, DLA Piper is therefore the only law firm that can provide young lawyers with an opportunity to become partners and leaders at that level.
“That alone is a huge differentiator,” Drew adds.
What winning looks like What Drew has always loved about the deal arena is the pace, the stakes, and, frankly, the glory: “At the end of the day, I like to win,” he states. What winning looks like has been redefined over the course of his career.
Drew was attracted initially to that intellectual reward – navigating pivotal moments for businesses, running transactions that bring together strategy, finance, governance, and human dynamics, often under significant pressure – and early on, he focused on the immediate outcome of a successful transaction. Today, he’s more motivated by helping clients achieve long-term business objectives.
“What’s changed is my perspective on impact,” Drew explains. “A successful deal is rarely just about closing the transaction. It’s about positioning an organization for future growth, innovation, and resilience. The legal work remains important, but delivering it at an elite level is table stakes. The business outcomes matter even more.”
Stepping up as CEO is the pinnacle so far, and Drew describes his leadership approach as collaborative, transparent, decisive, and intent on empowering talented people to deliver. He will remain connected as much as possible to colleagues and clients alike, because in his experience “that’s where the best ideas and opportunities originate.”
“The best advisors don’t simply explain what can go wrong; they help clients understand their options, make informed decisions, and execute with confidence,” he says.
DLA Piper has achieved extremely robust results by gaining market share, accelerating growth, and delivering market-leading legal services to clients on their highest-value and most significant mandates. The firm is privileged to have a strong group of individuals rowing in the same direction, Drew says, and that’s what’s needed in today’s market. He intends to further that trajectory of success.
“I discovered early that it’s important to be curious and to be bold, and that lesson continues to shape how I approach both client relationships and leadership. Listening carefully, making bold recommendations and decisions, and having a standout team to work with is absolutely essential.”
Spotlight
firm has topped global M&A deal volume rankings for 16 consecutive years, advising on more than 1,300 transactions in 2025 alone. For clients, that kind of scale matters because complex transactions rarely are contained within a single geography.
When a Canadian company is pursuing growth internationally or a global organization is investing in Canada, it needs a legal team that can coordinate seamlessly across jurisdictions at the highest level. That’s exactly the interconnected web DLA Piper offers with its global platform: local market knowledge supercharged by international reach, providing clients with access to experience, talent, and insight from around the world.
“Unlike other firms, we’re not simply in a number of geographies; we’re operating at the most elite level between them,” he explains. “Clients benefit from one integrated team rather than multiple advisors managing a transaction or a matter in multiple jurisdictions. It makes us a unique destination for clients.”
DLA Piper is a global law firm helping businesses navigate growth, change, and complexity across markets. In Canada, the firm advises Canadian and international companies, investors, financial institutions, and other market participants on complex transactions, disputes, and business challenges. With five offices across Canada and lawyers operating across more than 40 countries, DLA Piper combines deep local knowledge with international reach, industry experience, and innovative legal delivery. The firm’s lawyers collaborate across practices and jurisdictions to provide coordinated, commercially focused advice that helps clients pursue opportunities, manage risk, and achieve strategic objectives in Canada and around the world.
Company Profile
40+
Global reach – countries
4,900+
Lawyers
#1
Global M&A deal volume ranking
5
Canadian offices
16
Consecutive years of #1 ranking
Bio
Spotlight
Milestones
Media
Accolades
Company Profile
Experience
More than 20 years advising domestic and international clients on M&A, private equity, financing, and corporate governance matters
Recognition
Corporate lawyer ranked by Chambers Canada, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and The Legal 500 Canada, and named a Lexpert Rising Star in 2019
Appointment
Appointed Canada CEO at DLA Piper in 2026 and joined the firm’s executive committee
Russel Drew
Canada CEO at DLA Piper
Two decades of landmark deals taught Russel Drew that the best advisors don’t just identify risk – they execute with confidence. Now, as Canada CEO of DLA Piper, the arena is bigger. But that conviction hasn’t wavered
Read on
“Clients are looking for commercial insight, not just a recitation of legislation”
Russel Drew,
DLA Piper
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IN Partnership with
2009
2016
2018
2019
2026
Called to the Ontario bar and began a practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, securities, and governance matters
2009
Joined DLA Piper and expanded his work advising Canadian and international clients on complex transactions and strategic business matters
2016
Admitted to the partnership and continued developing his national and cross-border corporate practice
2018
Named a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyers Under 40 in Canada
2019
Appointed Canada CEO, leading the firm’s strategic direction in Canada and strengthening its connection to DLA Piper’s global platform
Joined the firm’s executive committee, contributing to strategic priorities across the global business
2026
Milestones
Published Oct 26, 2026
Find out more
Find out more
“The best advisors don’t simply explain what can go wrong; they help clients understand their options, make informed decisions, and execute with confidence”
Russel Drew,
DLA Piper
#1
Global M&A deals activity ranking (PitchBook, 2025)
1,300+
Transactions advised on in 2025 (Mergermarket)