Kirk Emery

Partner | Toronto

416.597.4364

Portrait of Kirk Emery

Overview

Kirk represents clients on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, corporate governance, commercial agreements, and general corporate matters.

Kirk advises leading and emerging Canadian, foreign, and multinational businesses. His clients include public and private companies, investment funds, financial institutions, owner managed businesses, and emerging growth companies.

Among other industries in which he has expertise, Kirk has deep experience with technology transactions and companies. In addition to advising mature technology companies on corporate and commercial matters, and working with other specialists to calibrate their work for the technology company context, he advises emerging growth companies throughout their lifecycle, including on incorporation, organization, commercialization of intellectual property, venture capital financing, scaling, and exit. Kirk has substantial experience with legal and commercial aspects of the blockchain ecosystem at all levels of the technology stack.

Kirk’s cross border practice involves advising foreign clients on Canadian matters and domestic clients on matters throughout Canada and abroad, as well as multijurisdictional transactions. With law degrees in both common law and civil law, and legal licensure in both Canada and the United States, Kirk is adept at managing legal work that involves assets, ownership, and other touch points in different legal systems.

Formerly the Executive Vice President of Legal & Business Development at a global technology unicorn, Kirk understands the real life pressures and opportunities that his clients face and offers practical, business centric advice in plain English.

Professional achievements & leadership

  • Recipient, Cum Laude, Saint Mary's University, 2009
  • Recipient, Academic Excellence Award, Saint Mary's University, 2006 – 2009

Thought leadership

  • Speaker, Web 3 – The Legal Landscape, Metaverse Toronto Summit, April 9, 2024
  • Moderator, Navigating the Liquid Staking Landscape: Legal and Industry Perspectives, Canadian Blockchain Consortium, Summit, November 30, 2023
  • Co-author, The Intersection of Blockchain Technology and Carbon Markets, Communiques, August 15, 2023
  • Author, Blockchain Law: Anatomy of Staking ContractsApril 25, 2023
  • Speaker, Blockchain and Digital Asset Fundamentals, Canadian Association of Alternative Strategies and Assets, Superweek 2022, September 27, 2022

Community involvement

  • Councillor, Saint Mary's University Alumni Association, 2015 – 2017
  • Ambassador, McGill University Faculty of Law, 2011 – 2012
  • Director & McGill University Faculty of Law Representative, Confederation of Civil Law Student Associations, 2010 – 2011
  • Co-President, McGill Business Law Association, 2010 – 2011
  • Associate Managing Editor, McGill International Journal of Sustainable Development Law, 2010 – 2011
  • Vice-President (External), McGill Law Students' Association, 2010 – 2011
  • Councillor & McGill University Faculty of Law Representative, Student Society of McGill University, 2010 – 2011

Corporate directorships

  • Member, Board of Advisors of Draftchain.AI

Professional memberships

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Bar admissions & education

  • Ontario, 2018
  • Nova Scotia, 2014
  • New York, 2013
  • LL.B. and B.C.L., McGill Faculty of Law, 2013
  • Canadian Securities Course, 2011
  • B.A. (Honours), Saint Mary’s University, 2009