As part of the ongoing expansion of its Canadian offices, Cozen O’Connor announced veteran corporate tax attorney Kevin Zimka — who has advised on numerous Canadian M&A and mining transactions worth (cumulatively) more than CAN$13 billion — has joined its Vancouver office as a shareholder. Zimka, who comes to Cozen O’Connor from major Canadian firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, is the 15th attorney to join its Vancouver/Toronto offices since June 2021.

With cross-border M&A transactions becoming more prevalent, Cozen O’Connor continues to expand its securities and capital markets practice significantly. Zimka’s addition further enhances the firm’s transactions practices, providing clients with an extensive “one-stop shop” experience in matters involving venture capital, cross-border public listings, tax, corporate debt and equity financing, regulatory compliance, and M&A.

Zimka focuses his practice on domestic and international corporate tax issues, including M&A, corporate reorganizations, equity and debt financings, and income tax issues involving partnerships, trusts, and other investment vehicles. He brings the firm a strong background in inbound and outbound transaction structuring and has significant experience handling a range of mining industry tax matters — particularly flow-through shares.

“Corporate M&A across industries is very active this year, both globally and here in Canada, and that includes the mining industry,” said Rory Godinho, chair of the firm’s Canadian Capital Markets & Securities Practice. “Tax issues are obviously a critical part of any M&A deal, and adding an experienced tax practitioner like Kevin — who can provide tax guidance from a deal’s inception through its entire lifecycle — clearly benefits our Canadian and American clients. I’m very pleased and excited to welcome him to the firm.”

“Canada’s mining industry is one of the largest in the world, and roughly 75 percent of the world’s mining companies are headquartered here,” said Brigeeta Richdale, managing counsel of Cozen O’Connor’s Vancouver office. “Having experienced tax counsel throughout an M&A deal is essential because certain tax implications can be in place for several years, or even decades.”

Shane Hardy, the co-managing counsel of the firm’s Toronto office, emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion of the firm’s tax practice and noted, “Kevin will provide our clients with the tactical advice they need to complete deals and grow their business across Canada. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the firm as we continue our rapid expansion here.”

As part of his M&A work, Zimka regularly counsels clients on corporate tax issues related to the use of exchangeable shares and the distribution of assets to shareholders. He also brings substantial experience providing guidance on flow-through limited partnership offerings.

A member of the Canadian Tax Foundation and the International Fiscal Association, Zimka has authored or co-authored articles on a range of tax-related topics, including the Canadian tax implications of cross-border guarantees, exchangeable share transactions, and partnerships.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on some of the country’s largest M&A deals,” Zimka said. “The opportunity to join an organization growing both its footprint and its service offerings here in Canada, one that will provide me with all the resources that Cozen O’Connor brings to its corporate clients, is truly a unique opportunity. I’m very happy to be joining the firm.”

Zimka earned his LL.B. at the University of Alberta and his B.Com. at the University of British Columbia.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 800 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 32 offices across two continents.