Russel W. Drew

Russel Drew is the Canada Chief Executive Officer at DLA Piper. In this role, Russ leads the firm's strategic vision in Canada, driving cross-border collaboration, championing innovation, and ensuring exceptional client service.

Russel has a market-leading corporate practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital matters, and both private and public company representation.

With over two decades of experience Russel advises domestic and international clients on mergers and acquisitions (including both hostile and friendly take-over bids and plans of arrangement), acquisitions and divestitures, financing transactions and private equity investments. He also counsels private and public companies on securities, commercial and corporate governance matters.

Russel represents many businesses, including private equity sponsors, venture capital fund sponsors, financial institutions, and multi-national corporations, in a broad spectrum of industries including energy, infrastructure, technology, telecommunications, transportation, natural resources, mining, real estate, advertising, financial services, professional services and pharmaceuticals. 

Russel has advised clients on some of the largest and most complex transactions in Canada and cross-border deals, earning recognition for his ability to combine precise legal analysis with strategic insight and business acumen.