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James O’Shea

Partner
Toronto
About

James O’Shea is a fund formation lawyer with global experience advising international and Canadian clients on complex fund-related transactions.

James counsels international and Canadian clients across the private funds landscape, including global asset managers, leading institutional investors, emerging sponsors, and family offices. His practice focuses on private fund formation, fund investments, fund structuring, and ongoing management throughout the fund lifecycle. He also advises on co-investments, carried interest arrangements, continuation vehicles, and other GP-led transactions across the private capital space.

James is also admitted to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Areas of FocusCorporatePrivate EquityInvestment FundsCorporate Venture Capital
Bar admissionsEngland and Wales, 2013Ontario, 2023

EXPERIENCE

  • Acted for leading Canadian venture sponsor in the formation of a complex, multi-fund continuation vehicle.
  • Acted for independent, Indigenous-owned sponsor in the formation of its inaugural private credit fund, focused on accelerating the construction of Indigenous housing across Canada.
  • Acted for leading Canadian credit sponsor in connection with the formation of its third flagship credit fund.
  • Acted for prominent Canadian private equity sponsor in the formation of US$1-billion digital infrastructure fund
  • Acted for Calgary-based preferred equity sponsor in its strategic recapitalization of a leading cross-border fitness franchise business.
  • Acted for consumer-focused Canadian venture sponsor in connection with the formation of its second flagship fund.
  • Acted for prominent cross-border mine finance sponsor in US$ 300 million annex fund.
  • Acted for Canadian climate-tech focused sponsor in the formation of its US$ 350 million third flagship fund.
  • Acted for prominent Canadian tech-focused venture sponsor in the formation of its fifth flagship fund.
  • Acted for Canadian healthcare-focused private equity sponsor in US$ 300 million continuation vehicle.
  • Acted for large Canadian insurance company in numerous fund investments and co-investments.
  • Acted for Canadian university endowment in numerous fund investments.
Education
  • BPP Law School, Legal Practice Course (Commendation), 2011
  • BPP Law School, Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Commendation), 2010
  • BA (Hons.), University of Cambridge, 2009

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Chambers Canada, Investment Funds: Fund Formation
  • IFLR1000, Rising Star Partner, Investment Funds
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Investment Funds & Asset Management - Investment Funds and Private Equity)
  • Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

Seminars

  • Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA), Invest Canada, “2026 Private Capital Hot Topics: The Macro, Policy & Market Forces Shaping Dealmaking This Year”, January 21, 2026
  • Speaker, American Bar Association Business Law Section, Fall Session, September 2024
  • Panel Moderator, CVCA Invest Canada 2024, “Building World-Class Companies”

Media Mentions

  • Interview, “Private Equity Fund Restructuring: Navigating the Numbers”, Lexpert, November 25, 2025

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper adds Investment Funds Partner James O'Shea in Toronto

16 September 2026 .2 minute read

Connect

Phone

+1 416 365 3522
(Work, Toronto)

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