Bio

David Petras is a partner in Gowling WLG's Waterloo Region office. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, financings, technology matters and corporate governance. David's clients include advanced manufacturers, software developers, Internet businesses, agri/food companies, financial services businesses, auto parts manufacturers, medical products companies and alternative energy companies. David's mergers and acquisitions work includes domestic and cross-border transactions involving public and private companies. Financings include venture capital financings and IPOs and various types of credit facilities. Technology transactions include system development, research, distribution, strategic alliance and technology transfer agreements. Corporate governance work includes structuring boards and committees developing governance policies and advising boards and senior management on challenging issues. David is a former leader of the firm's U.S. Initiative, which is responsible for enhancing the firm's relationships with U.S. clients and law firms. Within the firm, he has been head of the Waterloo Region Technology Law Group, member of the Board of Trustees and chair of the CEO Nominating Committee. David is a present and former director of various corporations and community organizations, including Waterloo Accelerator Centre, Communitech Corporation, Waterloo North Hydro Holding Corporation (Chair), and Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation. He is also a partner in the Waterloo Region Chapter of Social Venture Partners. David has completed the Directors Education Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors.