“The IP business is in a constant state of change. There’s never a dull moment, which makes for a challenging and fulfilling day—every day.”

Whether it’s dealing with one of Canada’s first proxy battles with a hedge fund, in which an alternative slate of directors was proposed, playing a pivotal role in the sale of Conversant’s former product businesses, or wrestling with a hostile bid, Phil ramps up quickly and embraces whatever role is needed. He has repeatedly demonstrated that as much as he’s an outstanding attorney, he’s a business person at heart.

Nowhere is this more evident than in his role as Conversant’s lead negotiator. When Phil heads into business discussions, he knows that one size does not fit all. Different organizations are driven by their own needs, views, issues and concerns, as is the person on the other side of the table. Phil’s strengths include his intuition, his skill in playing devil’s advocate, and his ability to tackle a problem from multiple angles. That’s how he determines the counterparty’s biggest “care abouts”, and proposes a solution accordingly. His pragmatic and reasonable approach means a fair negotiation, and agreements that leave both parties satisfied with the outcome.

Career highlights
• Closing the acquisition of Core Wireless
• Settling out all defendants in the company’s WiFi suit
• Being honoured as one of Ottawa’s ‘Top 40 under 40’ when he was 34