Melanie Sanchez – Global general counsel, investments, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Clayton Utz, 2005-06
Blake, Cassels & Graydon, 2006-14
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, 2014-present
I ended up working on private equity deals not by design, but rather by chance. I started out my career in Australia as a financing lawyer and when I moved to Canada I transitioned to general corporate work. Over time my practice evolved to support primarily US private equity clients investing into the mid-market in Canada. Since moving in-house I have had the opportunity to support our Ontario Teachers’ private equity team globally, as well as our other asset classes.
I have had the great fortune of working on many complex and high-profile matters during my time at Ontario Teachers. It is difficult to choose one moment or deal – the most memorable thing about my in-house career and the unifying thread that weaves through all those deals and moments is the people – dynamic, engaged, intelligent, always looking out for the best interest of the teachers of Ontario and frankly, probably most importantly, really nice people to be working alongside.
In the coming years, the biggest issues in PE will include: the continued evolution of sustainable investing/energy transition and what this means for stakeholder management and dispute/litigation risk; the shifting balance of AI as it moves along the spectrum from promising opportunity to commercial viability; the pace and complexity of global regulatory, legislative and policy change; how the industry will evolve in response to the higher interest rate environment.
How in-house lawyers can prepare for this is to do what all good lawyers do naturally – engage in horizon scanning, remain curious about broader trends and the macro factors driving policy shifts and lean into your trusted adviser relationships to leverage them as a source of information when new developments arise. Also, don’t be afraid to continue to question and evolve the way you deliver your legal advisory services – what excellence looked like over the last decade likely won’t be the same as what excellence looks like in the decade to come.
Working in private markets keeps you on your toes – it is an industry that can be hard driving at times – but it is dynamic and innovative. If you can find a team of people that you connect with, it is a compelling opportunity set for an M&A lawyer that will always be engaging.
