TOPIC

Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial companies operate within an environment and culture that places special demands on professional service providers. The challenge of delivering consistently high-quality advice within a framework that is responsive (i.e. fast), flexible and pragmatic requires new service delivery models and a differentiated service culture. A focus on delivering strategic counsel to emerging fast-growth businesses demands that the professional services provider think more carefully about value and value-add. For lawyers, the key to success is still in embedding superior technical know-how in a practice philosophy based upon a real understanding of the client’s business.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Alfred Apps carries on a transaction-oriented practice with a special focus on advising emerging Canadian companies with a global outlook, including technology and other companies seeking to capitalize on new economy opportunities. His expertise is in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, equity/debt financings and corporate restructuring.

Alfred originally joined Faskens in 1989 and became a partner in 1991. Between 1989 and 1993, his practice was almost exclusively devoted to major Canadian corporate and debt restructurings.

In 1998, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Newstar Technologies, overseeing its subsequent merger with three other leading North American software companies and becoming founding Chief Executive Officer of the merged entity, RealPulse.com, Inc. (dba “The REALM”). The REALM, a New York-based company, continues to be the leader in providing information technology and B2B e-commerce services to the North American commercial real estate industry.

From 1993 to 2000, Alfred successfully raised significant new equity and debt for the businesses he led.

Alfred was re-admitted to the Faskens partnership in 2001. He is director of the Toronto office’s practice group for Emerging Global Businesses.